Halton Region has earned the highest credit rating from Moody’s Investors Service for another year. We have maintained our Aaa credit rating for more than 30 years, and this achievement is a testament to our strong financial position.

Moody’s analysis praises the Region’s strategic planning during the pandemic, stating that they are confident that Halton will remain resilient and stable despite future impacts from COVID-19. Moody’s also recognizes the high quality of our financial plans, practices and reports, and highlighted the following credit strengths as part of its analysis:

• 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.

This rating ensures that Halton Region and its four Local Municipalities continue to access the best possible financing rates available, which minimizes long-term infrastructure capital financing costs. The Aaa credit rating allows public funds to go further when investing in essential Regional programs, including road, water and wastewater projects. As a result, it helps keep property taxes low as we maintain and enhance our infrastructure that help build healthy, complete communities.

Earning the highest possible credit rating from two international rating agencies each year—Moody’s Investors Service (Aaa) and S&P Global Ratings (AAA)—is critical to maintaining our strong long-term financial position, especially as we respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2020, S&P Global Ratings upheld its own top rating for the Region, and maintaining this distinction from both agencies is a key objective of Halton Region’s 2021 Budget and Business Plan.

Earning this credit rating from Moody’s confirms that our strong leadership and strategic planning will help keep Halton a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire.

To learn more about Halton’s strong long-term financial position, visit halton.ca.