After one year in the mayor’s seat in Halifax, Andy Fillmore is reflecting on big changes and how he is forging ahead with optimism.
Over the last 12 months there were topics such as pausing bike lane projects and the possibility of strong mayor powers, which were met with criticism.
It was the first time Halifax had a new mayor in 12 years after Mike Savage, and Fillmore told our newsroom he is the first to admit that he started off a little too strong.
“I came in with a big head of steam, with lots of ideas. I needed to slow down and check some of my own assumptions,” said Fillmore.
He said he is trying to navigate things more collaboratively and productively.
“I think sometimes from the outside it can look like disfunction, but I think really think it’s the meshing of gears. It’s gears changing. That’s what change really is,” added Fillmore.
Is the province overstepping?
Since Fillmore has been in office, the province has tried to assert power over Council’s decisions.
Premier Tim Houston threatened to reverse making a busy downtown street one-way in favour of bike lanes, and the province scrapped Council’s regional plan.
When asked if Nova Scotia is overstepping, Fillmore told us, they both have similar goals regarding affordability and congestion.
“I look at it this way…if I’ve got a saw in my toolbox and the provincial government’s got a hammer in their toolbox…well we’d go a lot further with a hammer and a saw than we’d do with just one of those things,” said Fillmore. “At the end of the day, we’re all working for the same resident, the same citizen, and I think that’s a good thing.”
Accomplishments
There were projects that did get pushed through over the past year that Fillmore can highlight.
The redevelopment of the Windsor Street Exchange was able to get back on track and in addition to that, the Halifax Convention Centre was named the best in the world.
“We were hosting great athletic events, we’re continued to be a destination for families, for businesses, for visitors. Of all Canadian cities we are still booming. We’re continuing to build at an amazing rate,” said Fillmore.
“I’m proud of this place. I love every day. I’ve never been more optimistic about the future of the Halifax Regional Municipality.”
