Halifax’s fall mayoral race is heating up even more as another prominent political figure has officially filed to run.
Andy Fillmore, an outgoing Liberal MP who announced in June that he was leaving federal politics, launched his campaign for mayor of Halifax during an event at the Alderney Rotunda area in Dartmouth on Wednesday morning.
During his speech, Fillmore highlighted affordability, housing and improving the efficiency of the city’s transportation system as key components of his campaign platform, in addition to addressing Halifax’s population boom in recent years.
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“People are moving here in record numbers to be a part of this. But rapid growth has brought with it its challenges,” he said.
“Our job now is to take charge of our growth before it takes charge of us. That’s why I’m running for mayor, to put my experience at your service and that of your community. Because I know we can do things right.”
Fillmore was first elected as a Liberal MP for Halifax in 2015, having previously served as Halifax’s urban design manager from 2005 to 2012.
He also served as director of the planning school at Dalhousie University, as well as vice president of planning and development for what was formerly known as the Waterfront Development Corporation, which has since merged with Build Nova Scotia.
The next municipal elections are scheduled for October 19.
Current Halifax Mayor Mike Savage said in February that he would not run in the October municipal election, leaving the seat entirely vacant.
Filmore is the sixth person to announce their candidacy for mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), joining other Halifax councillors Pam Lovelace and Waye Mason, who launched their campaigns in the past two months.
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