Post by : Mina Rahman
Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore has announced an improved rapport with the city council and the chief administrative officer’s office, a welcome change from a tumultuous inaugural year marked by disputes and internal discord.
In 2025, several council members publicly disagreed with Fillmore on pivotal issues, including proposals for bike lane expansions, budgeting matters, and the redevelopment of the Windsor Street exchange. Tensions escalated in January when the council opted to scrap the exchange plan over transit lane concerns. Fillmore publicly criticized this decision, urging citizens to reach out to their councillors, which led to the reversal of the decision in the following month once staff confirmed the inclusion of two-way transit lanes.
The rift between the mayor and the council became increasingly evident during the summer months, particularly when Fillmore advocated for strong mayoral powers, asserting that the existing municipal framework hindered his ability to tackle substantial issues such as traffic congestion and affordable housing. His comments regarding the authority of the chief administrative officer elicited backlash from councillors and members of the administration, who perceived them as misleading.
To alleviate rising tensions, a professional facilitator was engaged for an off-site workshop this fall. These sessions aimed at enhancing collaboration and communication among the mayor and council members. Fillmore noted that these discussions proved beneficial in creating a more constructive working relationship.
Conducted both online and face-to-face, the workshops incurred a total cost of $22,500 for the municipality. Fillmore also highlighted that the provincial government’s choice to refrain from instituting strong mayoral powers in the immediate future contributed to reducing uncertainty within the council.
He acknowledged that the October 2024 municipal elections brought notable changes, introducing many new councillors after a prolonged period of stability under the previous administration of Mike Savage. Fillmore remarked that this transformation inherently led to challenges as the council adjusted to fresh leadership and perspectives.
Reflecting on his initial tenure, Fillmore admitted feeling constrained by the current administrative structure and pointed to delays in office setup as a factor. Nevertheless, the former chief administrative officer insisted that the administration never obstructed the mayor’s efforts and proposed structural adjustments to avert similar issues in the future.
An independent review subsequently concluded that Fillmore's statements did not breach the municipal code of conduct. The former chief administrative officer has since resigned, and the city is actively seeking a permanent successor.
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