Andy Fillmore, a former Liberal Member of Parliament, has been elected as the new mayor of Halifax after defeating his closest competitors in today’s municipal election, which featured a diverse array of candidates.
Addressing his supporters at a pub in Halifax’s north end, Fillmore expressed his gratitude and humility regarding his election as the city’s next mayor.
He emphasized that Halifax is at a pivotal moment, with opportunities present in every part of the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), and pledged to embrace these opportunities and rise to the occasion.
Before entering federal politics in 2015, Fillmore worked as a city planner. During his campaign, he criticized the local government for permitting new homeless encampments and pledged to implement initiatives such as speeding up building permit approvals and improving traffic flow.
Fillmore’s main opponent, three-term councillor Waye Mason, conceded defeat approximately an hour and a half after the polls closed.
At 58 years old, Fillmore is among several newcomers joining the Halifax regional council, with five current councillors choosing not to seek re-election in their respective districts.
Today, more than 40 towns and municipalities across Nova Scotia, including the Cape Breton Regional Municipality—which has selected Cecil Clarke as its next mayor—are holding elections.
Fillmore announced his candidacy for Halifax’s mayoralty in July and resigned from his position as MP for the federal riding of Halifax in early September. To connect with municipal voters, he utilized advertising at bus shelters and maintained a strong presence on social media.
Mason’s campaign focused on enhancing transit, reducing building permit delays, and increasing the availability of affordable housing. A significant point of disagreement between him and Fillmore was the issue of homeless encampments.
Fillmore argued that the city’s policy of allowing designated tent sites has attracted homeless individuals from across the nation to Halifax. Mason dismissed this claim as unfounded and stated that it was not supported by the city’s data.
In an interview with CBC, Mason attributed his loss to Fillmore’s strong name recognition and extensive advertising efforts, explaining that his campaign was unable to overcome these factors.
Reflecting on his 12 years on the council, which coincided with Mayor Mike Savage’s administration, Mason acknowledged significant advancements for the city, highlighting its growth into an economic powerhouse and a model for other regions in the country.
