The Halifax-Dartmouth Regional Authority was incorporated under the provisions of Chapter 72 of the Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1962. It was composed of six members, broken down as follows: 1) two members, appointed by the Council of the City of Halifax, who shall be the Mayor and an alderman, for a term of three years; 2) two members, appointed by the Council of the Municipality of the County of Halifax, who shall be the warden of the county and a councillor, for a term of three years; and 3) two members, appointed by the Council of the City of Dartmouth, for a term of three years. The Authority had the power to accept and discharge any municipal responsibilities conferred upon it by by-law duly passed by two or more of the participating bodies and was responsible for correctional facilities, waste management, and parks and recreational facilities. It met twelve to fifteen times a year. The Authority had to submit a financial report no later than January 31 each year and make an annual report to the participating bodies. The Halifax-Dartmouth Regional Authority became the Metropolitan Authority in 1978 and its composition changed. Bibliography City Clerk’s Office. Halifax (N.S.). City of Halifax. Committees, Boards and Commissions. February 1996. p. 85-90. City Solicitor. Halifax (N.S.). The City Council, Its Committees, Boards and Commissions, and the Civic Administration of the City of Halifax for the year 1964. February 17, 1964. p. 60-61.

The Metropolitan Authority was established under the provisions of Chapter 9 of the Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1978, as amended. The Metropolitan Authority was a successor to the Halifax-Dartmouth Regional Authority and continued to discharge the municipal responsibilities previously conferred upon it. However, it was composed of twelve members, broken down as follows: mayor and two aldermen from City of Halifax; mayor and two aldermen from City of Dartmouth; mayor and two councillors from the County of Halifax; mayor and one councillor from the Town of Bedford; and an independent chairman appointed every two years by members of the participating municipalities. In addition to dealing with waste management, correctional facilities, and parks and recreational facilities, the Metropolitan Authority also came to oversee Metro Transit.