Politician Resignation? Andy Fillmore resigns his position as representative of Halifax in the House of Commons of Canada

As of September 26, 2024, Canadian politician Andy Fillmore resigned from his role as a member of parliament, and later on announced he is now instead running for mayor of Halifax in the upcoming 2024 elections.  

On  Andyfillmore.ca, His official website, it further explains what the former MP will bring to HRM if he is elected mayor. “After years of hard work together, we have hit our stride in HRM,” it says in the “Why I’m running” section. Mr. Fillmore shares that he is hoping as mayor he’s able to bring together communities so together we can anticipate our growth and improve conditions resulting from our rising population numbers and costs. Mr. Fillmore is spreading his belief that we as a city can overcome these obstacles that affect citizens in day-to-day life. In the “My platform” section, he describes his action Plan for HRM in more detail. It turns out that there are many initiatives that not only benefit a variety of communities but as well as better the problems here in Halifax. This includes the major challenges our city is facing right now, such as Homelessness, housing, transit, and public safety.

These topics have been brought to attention because of the current state of Halifax within these aspects. Homelessness and housing, for example, are being caused by the major factor of inflation in every material price, making it harder and harder for the people of Halifax to live comfortably. Those who do not even have the basic necessities are especially vulnerable to the raises in cost. Andy Fillmore however declares that in his new plan, there will be freezing of approvals for the new encampments sites just announced. The approvals that would be coming forth, however, will allow new homes to be built in the most suitable locations. Additionally, they will also be more affordable than the current homes on the market, putting affordability issues for citizens more at ease. There are many more issues Mr. Fillmore has conducted solutions to which are incorporated in his HRM plan.

Even though this news is a surprise for many, Andy Fillmore had spoken about his candidacy earlier this year while he was still filling his position as Halifax’s Liberal MP.  On Global News Morning, Mr. Fillmore stated that he is “Seriously considering putting his name on the ballad” to become Mayor of Halifax. He explains that after Mike Savage’s (Our Former Mayor) Retirement from the role seeing to it that he is no longer in the elections, the city is in need of changes. “The city is doing wonderfully right now. It’s not without its challenges. And that’s where the mind goes, with the challenges that are coming to the future.”  These statements were made as of February 2024, and as time went there have been changes and obstacles coming up as we come near the 2024 Municipal Elections. Currently, Mr. Fillmore is in the lead with the most votes in the ballad, and communities of Halifax anticipate to see who will in fact be selected as Mayor and keep our city moving as the Diverse and connecting place it is. 

“Andy Fillmore for Mayor of Halifax.” Andy Fillmore for Mayor of Halifax, https://andyfillmore.ca/my- platform. Accessed 20 October 2024.

Cooke, Alex. “Liberal MP Andy Fillmore 'very seriously' considering run for Halifax mayor | Globalnews.ca.” Global News, 20 February 2024, https://globalnews.ca/news/10305584/andy-fillmore-halifax-mayor-considering/. Accessed 20 October 2024.