Despite the pandemic, the Halton Region continues its run of financial stability.
The Region received a AAA credit rating from Moody’s Investors Service. Halton has maintained a AAA rating for more than 30 years.
“Halton’s strong leadership and strategic planning over the past year has been an essential part of maintaining and enhancing our services during the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “Receiving this Aaa credit rating for another year confirms that that our prudent financial planning will help us maintain our strong financial position during the pandemic and in our recovery as a community to support Halton residents in the future.”
This allows the Region to get better financing rates, which helps with the costs of things like infrastructure. That means that public funds can go further when investing in essential Regional works, including road, water and wastewater projects that help build healthy, complete communities.
Some of the notes from Moody’s as to why Halton received a AAA rating are:
- the community’s diversified economy and strong population growth;
- Halton’s low debt burden and exceptional levels of liquidity;
- the Region’s stable and predictable revenue sources that cushion operating pressures including those related to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
- Halton’s strong management and mature institutional framework.
In June 2020, Halton also received top marks from S&P Global Ratings. The Halton Region says it holds these ratings high as a key objective of Halton Region’s 2021 Budget and Business Plan.
