Release:

As Mayor and CAO, we are committed to honest dialogue, open collaboration, and a shared purpose to serve the people of Halifax during a time of extraordinary change. That means welcoming healthy debate, drawing on each other’s strengths, and focusing on long-term outcomes that put the needs of residents first.

We both acknowledge that Halifax is growing rapidly and facing complex financial and governance challenges. This moment calls for us to work together, not separately, with Council, staff, and other orders of government, and to lead with vision, accountability, and compassion.

To support that, we agree that governance clarity is essential. The HRM Charter states that the CAO reports to Council. However, the HRM organizational chart states that the Office of the Mayor reports to the CAO. 

We agree that further revisions to the organizational chart are required to clarify appropriate relationships between Mayor, Council and administrative accountability without compromising the democratic mandate of the Mayor and Council in the municipal structure.  

As HRM’s Mayor and CAO, we remain committed to a relationship of open communication, shared purpose, and delivering for the residents of HRM as we take on the big work ahead.

Mayor Andy Fillmore
CAO Cathie O’Toole