Live updates: It’s election night in Halifax Regional Municipality
caption
The 2024 Halifax Regional Municipality election is underway on Oct. 19, 2024.
- Full unofficial results from HRM can be found here
- Andy Fillmore wins race for mayor
12:52 a.m.
The Signal signs off from Halifax’s 2024 election
While not all votes have been counted, and some races are too close to call, here’s what we know about Halifax Regional Municipality’s results so far.
- District 1 – Waverley-Fall River-Musquodoboit Valley winner: Cathy Deagle-Gammon
- District 2 – Preston-Chezzetcook -Eastern Shore: Too close to call, David Hendsbee has narrow lead
- District 3 – Dartmouth South-Eastern Passage winner: Becky Kent
- District 4 – Cole Harbour-Westphal-Lake Loon-Cherry Brook winner: Trish Purdy
- District 5 – Dartmouth Centre winner: Sam Austin
- District 6 – Harbourview-Burnside-Dartmouth East winner: Tony Mancini
- District 7 – Halifax South Downtown winner: Laura White
- District 8 – Halifax Peninsula North: Virginia Hinch
- District 9 – Halifax West-Armdale: too close to call
- District 10 – Halifax-Bedford Basin West winner: Kathryn Morse
- District 11 – Spryfield-Sambro Loop: too close to call
- District 12 – Timberlea-Beechville-Clayton Park-Wedgewood winner: Janet Steele
- District 13 – Prospect Road-St. Margarets winner: Nancy Hartling
- District 14 – Hammonds Plains-Lucasville-Middle & Upper Sackville winner: John A. Young
- District 15 – Lower Sackville – Beaver Bank: too close to call
- District 16 – Bedford- Wentworth winner: Jean St-Amand
Official results, pending any recounts, will be confirmed the coming days by HRM. The winning councillors will be sworn in to their roles on Tuesday Nov. 5.
12:38 a.m.
Cuttell leads in District 11
Patty Cuttell was leading her nearest rival in District 11, Bruce Holland, by 609 votes, with 25 of 28 tables counted.
Cuttell is the incumbent in the mixed suburban-rural district that includes Spryfield and stretches south to Sambro. She was first elected in 2020.
In the 1990s, Holland served as a Liberal cabinet minister in Nova Scotia. He runs a small local newspaper.
-Hannah Nekkers
12:36 a.m.
Nancy Hartling takes District 13
Nancy Hartling picked up District 13, which was left vacant with the decision by Pam Lovelace to run for mayor.
With all tables reporting, she had almost 2,000 votes more than her closest rival, Dustin O’Leary.
Hartling is a software developer and development team lead.
On her website she said she will focus on issues such as climate change, health and well-being. She proposes controlling construction debris littering Prospect Road
12:30 a.m.
District 15 close, with the incumbent trailing
With 27 of 28 tables counted, 219 votes separated electoral newcomer Billy GIllis and incumbent Paul Russell in District 15.
Gillis had 51.65 per cent of the vote and Russell 48.4.
Russell has lived in Lower Sackville, which is included in District 15, for 30 years and has served as the District 15 councillor for the past 5 years. He is also a software and website developer, and in his spare time he volunteers around the community, for places like the Sackville Business Association and Sackville Community Development Association.
Gillis was raised in Sydney.. He has experience as a project manager in the construction industry and has also lived in the Lower Sackville – Beaver Bank community for over 20 years with his family.
–Hannah Nekkers
12:25 a.m.
Virginia Hinch wins District 8 seat
caption
New District 8 councillor Virginia Hinch poses for a photo with former District 8 councillor Lindell Smith on October 19, 2024.Virginia Hinch has secured her seat on Halifax Regional Council as District 8 councillor.
District 8 was a crowded playing field, with seven candidates and no incumbent, but Hinch was prevailing with a total of about 1,920 votes when 23 of 26 tables had reported.
With 15 years of experience at Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency, Hinch plans to make affordable housing a priority.
“We keep talking about it. But there’s no solution,” said Hinch in an interview with The Signal leading up to the election. She hopes to bring back a municipal housing portfolio, structured in an affordable and accessible way.
Born and raised in Halifax’s District 8, Hinch says she has strong connections to her community, and plans to take a community-oriented approach. Hinch says that community members have historically not been involved in conversations about what is happening in District 8, and she plans to make this communication a priority.
“I’m a mother at heart. I’m a community member at heart,” said Hinch. “…I do put community first, and always will put community first.”
–Marlo Ritchie
12:21 a.m.
Janet Steele wins District 12 election, beats incumbent Iona Stoddard
The fickle voters of District 12 had once again turfed out their incumbent councillor.
Iona Stoddart, who won in 2020, was defeated by electoral newcomer Janet Steele by 1,002 votes with all tables reporting.
In 2020 Stoddard ousted Richard Zurawski, who served one term from 2016 to 2020. Zurawaski tried to reclaim the seat this time, but came third.
District 12 comprises Timberlea, Lakeside, Beechiville and parts of Clayton Park and Wedgewood.
Steele is a former executive with Agri-Food Canada. Her campaign focused on public safety, community recreation and open communication and transparency with her district.
“I have the experience and background to ask the right questions, to make improvements in the way things are currently working,” she said.
-Sally Skinner
12:10 a.m.
Morse running behind in District 10
Debbie MacKinnon had a solid lead over incumbent councillor Kathryn Morse in District 10.
With 19 of 24 tables reporting, MacKinnon had an almost 900 vote lead and about 58 per cent of the vote.
– Jody Connors, Lynnette Alford
12:03 a.m.
The votes are in for District 9 and the winner is unclear
A razor-thin 96 votes separated incumbent Shawn Cleary and challenger Tonya Malay with one table left to be counted in the race for District 9 in the West End of Halifax.
If Shawn Cleary secures the win this will be his third term.
He said he believes transit is the way to best address the needs of all his constituents.“
Making transit better is something that benefits everyone,” he said.
Malay is an educational programing assistant and former accountant executive for the federal government. Her key election issues were new housing and traffic solutions.
–Jody Connors
11:57 p.m.
Laura White wins in District 7
Laura White is the new councillor in District 7.
With all tables reporting, she had 1,612 votes to 1,504 for Cathy Cervin.
The district was a wide-open race after councillor Waye Mason threw his hat into the race for mayor.
District 7 includes Halifax’s downtown core and is home to many university students. It includes one of the larger races, with six candidates running for councillor.
White has a background as an engineer, community leader, volunteer, and parent. She talked about sustainability, public accessibility and affordable housing.
–Jody Connors
11:43 p.m.
Tight race for District 2 councillor seat
David Hendsbee was holding onto a 377 vote lead in District 2 with six tables left to count.
The three-term councillor and former MLA was leading challenger Will Gillian 3,500 to 3,123.
Gillian does not have previous political experience, but is a business owner, having worked in the restaurant business for over 25 years and recently being made the owner of Nova Scotia’s “The Old No. 7 Restaurant and Sports Bar.”
-Hannah Nekkers
11:32 p.m.
Fitness podcaster, Jean St-Amand wins District 16
The results of votes for District 16, which includes Bedford and Wentworth, are in and Jean St-Amand has won a seat on Halifax Regional Council.
Marketing entrepreneur and fitness guru, St-Amand says he has plans to prioritize transit efficiency, affordable services, and safer neighbourhoods.
– Jody Connors
11:31 p.m.
Janet Steele wins District 12 election, beats incumbent Iona Stoddard
With 3,067 votes, Janet Steele has been elected as District 12’s councillor.
Steele, a first-time candidate, bested current incumbent Iona Stoddard, who has held the seat since 2020. Stoddard accumulated 2,065 votes, 1009 less than her 3,074 votes in the 2020 election.
District 12 comprises Timberlea, Lakeside, Beechiville and parts of Clayton Park and Wedgewood. It is home to over 20,000 residents has both suburban and urban regions.
Steele, a former executive with Agri-Food Canada, has been living in Halifax for over 40 years. Her campaign promises focused on public safety, community recreation and open communication and transparency with her district.
“I have the experience and background to ask the right questions, to make improvements in the way things are currently working,” she said in an interview with The Signal ahead of the election. “I wouldn’t be afraid to make a decision that may not necessarily be in alignment with other councilllors to support the needs of the residents.”
– Sally Skinner
11:28 p.m.
Trish Purdy re-elected as District 4 councillor
CityNews has called the race for District 4 in favour of incumbent Trish Purdy.
Purdy was running against James Aalders, Nicole Johnson and Joe Connelly.
With one table left to report votes, Purdy currently holds around 48 per cent of the votes, with Aalders coming second with around 29 per cent of the vote, and Johnson and Connelley trailing behind.
– Hannah Nekkers
11:06 p.m.
Sam Austin wins third term in Dartmouth Centre
Sam Austin has been re-elected councillor in District 5, Dartmouth Centre. He had 63.6 per cent of the vote with 28 out of 30 tables counted.
This was Austin’s fourth time running in District 5 and his third consecutive win.
In his last two terms, Austin has worked on improving his district’s active transportation infrastructure, protecting local ecosystems and implementing infrastructure to resolve the housing crisis.
“When I think about the next term, it’s continuing to advance things like the Sawmill River, getting that bike network connected together, doing good by Halifax. There’s a lot of different projects to be excited about,” he said.
Austin beat the second place candidate Mike McCluskey who earned the remaining 36.4 per cent of the vote. McCluskey is the son of Gloria McCluskey, the longtime Dartmouth councillor and the last mayor of the old City of Dartmouth.
– Sam Creighton
11:03 p.m.
Becky Kent retakes seat as District 3 councillor
Becky Kent has won for a second time in District 3. The political veteran won 62 per cent of the vote with only four tables left to be tallied.
She emphasized homelessness, mental health and addictions, affordable housing, and the rising costs of living.
– Zoe Wellings
10:55 p.m.
Tony Mancini wins in District 6
Tony Mancini is going back to Halifax City Hall, in his fourth straight victory in District 6.
He had more than 80 per cent of the vote with only three tables left to report.
“What keeps me going is there’s a lot of work that’s been done, a lot of good stuff,” Mancini said before the vote, “but now there’s challenges because of the growth that we have to deal with, and there’s specific areas I want to cover before I leave politics.”
Mancini had one challenger this year, rookie Lori Odgen, a courier who was looking to break into municipal politics. She had about 18 per cent of the votes.
District 6’s boundaries were redrawn for this election. It lost Dartmouth North and was renamed Dartmouth-East-Burnside. While Mancini has said he’s sad to lose Dartmouth North, as he felt connected to the area and community, he is excited to serve this changing district.
– Hannah Nekkers
10:26 p.m.
John A. Young takes large lead in District 14 race
Long-time provincial public servant John A. Young is well ahead in District 14.
Young hopes to take over the seat from Lisa Blackburn, who decided to not seek re-election.
John Martin Walker and Edward Giles are also running.
Young had 62 per cent of the votes with half the tables reporting. Walker and Giles both had roughly 1,000 votes.
Young spoke to CBC in the past about how there is a lack of trust between Black communities of Halifax and the government, especially in District 14 which includes the historically Black districts of Upper Hammond Plains and Lucasville, which he aims to address.
– Hannah Nekkers
10:09 p.m.
More houses, fewer tents, Fillmore says
caption
Andy Fillmore gives his victory speech after winning the Halifax mayoral race on Oct. 19, 2024.Halifax Mayor-elect Andy Fillmore has quickly turned his attention to the housing crisis.
“We’ve got to build more houses, in tremendous volume and we’ve got to build them at a lower cost,” he told reporters this evening.
At the same time, he said wants to work with Premier Tim Houston to “help people to move into positive supportive housing arrangements that aren’t tents.
One of Fillmore’s campaign planks was to shut down homeless encampments.
9:40 p.m.
Optimism at the Army Navy Air Force Club in Halifax’s North End
NSCC’s Chyenne Comeau reports from District 8 Candidate Virginia Hinch’s election result party. Hinch has an early lead.
9:23 p.m.
Mixed views at District 5 polling station
Sam Austin has a strong lead in early results in District 5 in Dartmouth.
The two-term incumbent led with 65 per cent of the vote with three tables reporting.
Mike McCluskey trailed with 34 per cent. He is the son of legendary Dartmouth councillor Gloria McCluskey.
Earlier in the day, neighbours in line at the Findlay Community Centre in Dartmouth exchanged friendly remarks before casting their ballots.
“There’s a lot of light shining in Dartmouth; it’s no longer the dark side,” said voter David Hath. “We’re progressing in the right direction.”
While many are hopeful, voters also expressed concerns about the cost of living, homelessness, transit and the future of Dartmouth Cove.
Discussing the infilling of the cove, Bruce Mans said, “that area would impact us in terms of noise, scenery and health of that area for the present and future.”
Candidates’ advocacy on the issue is at the forefront of voters’ minds.
– Olivia Johnson, Lola Drewery, Mairi Ross
9:12 p.m.
Outgoing North End councillor Lindell Smith urges more help for the unhoused
9:08 p.m.
Cathy Deagle-Gammon in the lead in District 1
Cathy Deagle-Gammon has a big lead in the race for District 1
Deagle-Gammon was first elected in 2020 and has served as deputy mayor since last November.
Chris Balcom and Angela Dennison are her challengers.
With 10 of 22 tables reporting, Deagle-Gammon had 68 per cent of the vote.
She grew up in Cape Breton and moved to Halifax 40 years ago. She spent 25 years leading the Dartmouth Adult Service Centre (DASC), an organization supporting adults with intellectual disabilities.
– Hannah Nekkers
8:55 p.m.
Waye Mason concedes mayoral race to Andy Fillmore
caption
Waye Mason speaks to University of King’s College reporter Henri Friedman about Mason’s loss in the Halifax mayoral race on Oct. 19, 2024Long time District 7 Councillor Waye Mason has conceded defeat in the race for mayor of Halifax.
He took the stage at his campaign party tonight, addressing a group of supporters, friends and family at the Courtyard Hotel in Downtown Halifax.
“For me, this is not the outcome any of us hope for. Obviously, we had all hoped for a different outcome,” he said.
“But despite the results, I am who I am, and while I may not be your next mayor, I’m going to continue to work on behalf of the people of HRM in other capacities, just as I did before I was on council.”
With more than 10 per cent of tables reporting, former Liberal MP Andy Fillmore was well ahead in the race with about 44 per cent of the votes. Mason was second with about 25 percent, and Pam Lovelace trailed in third.
Mason won his seat in District 7 in every election since 2012. He was up against sixteen other candidates for mayor. He was born in Dartmouth, and attended Dalhousie University, where he met friend and supporter Krista Whitehouse.
“He was literally a mover-and-shaker back in those days,” said Whitehouse. “I’ve watched him as a councillor. He’s been right on the money for a lot of decisions.”
“He’s probably the closest (councillor) to being transparent in that he’s constantly communicating on what he’s doing, what he’s working on, and I just think that’s excellent. That’s why I’m here.”
– Sally Skinner, Henri Friedman
8:35 p.m.
Live from Waye Mason’s election party
Magdalena Bastida reports from Waye Mason’s election results party.
8:30 p.m.
District 9 voters hope for housing crisis solutions
The housing crisis has been a crucial issue in District 9, Halifax West-Armdale.
“The way wealth is being distributed right now isn’t great,” says Earl Gertler, “How we treat people in this city isn’t right.”
Jessica Marsh agrees: “Watching all the enormous condos go up and on the other side, seeing all the little tent cities go up, it’s kind of unnerving.”
Doug Ferguson, who has lived in the area since 1944, hung around the polling station at Halifax Central Junior High School watching people head in to vote. Ferguson is hoping for a mayor that “isn’t too mouthy.”
“I want them to further the community without banging their own drum too hard,” he says.
Since 8 a.m. Saturday, the polling station saw more than 1,000 voters, with a large number of first-time voters.
Voters flowed in and out of the polling station steadily as the sun set and the polls closed.
– Marlo Ritchie, Claire Kelly
7:50 p.m.
Lovelace and Fillmore stage duelling campaign parties
caption
Pam Lovelace greeting friends at the Lion’s Head Tavern for her campaign results party on Oct.19, 2024.
Two of the three candidates for mayor are waiting for the results tonight in the same North End Halifax pub.
Andy Fillmore’s supporters are trickling into a second-floor room at the Lion’s Head Tavern, while downstairs Pam Lovelace’s party is also getting started.
Fillmore’s space is filled with bright yellow and blue banners, balloons and buttons.
“We’re looking forward to a good night after six months of hard work,” one of Fillmore’s organizers said. She didn’t want to give her name.
On the main floor, Lovelace organizer Carla Christensen is also hopeful, “I’m excited to see Pam surrounded by her volunteers and her family and realize all the effort that she’s put in and carve a soul into this campaign.”
– V. Patterson
7:50 p.m.
Accessibility should be a priority, activist says
Disability rights activist Victoria Levack says making Halifax more accessible should be a priority for the city’s next mayor.
7:10 p.m.
Changes are coming to Regional Council
Even before the votes are counted, it’s guaranteed there’ll be some new faces on Regional Council.
Six incumbents are not running for re-election, including the mayor, Mike Savage.
There are a total of 16 council seats up for grabs, plus the mayor’s chair.
Among those who are not reoffering are District 7 Councillor Waye Mason and District 13’s Pam Lovelace, both of whom are running for mayor.
Also not reoffering are Lindell Smith in District 8, Lisa Blackburn in District 14 and Tim Outhit in District 16.
Mayor Mike Savage was recently named as Nova Scotia’s new lieutenant governor.
– Najwa Mdoukh
6:50 p.m.
Municipal government explained
It’s election day in HRM and in municipalities across Nova Scotia. But what exactly does a municipal government do? Paige Dillman explains.
6:37 p.m.
Voters took advantage of advanced polls
About 25 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots at the advanced polls this year, using new electronic kiosks and an online voting option.
Stephen Smith helped run the advanced polls at the George Dixon Recreation Centre in the North End of Halifax on Tuesday. He said the new systems were ”a piece of cake” to use.
Elizabeth Patterson, 88, voted at the advanced poll because she thought it would be too crowded on election day. Patterson has lived in Halifax for 65 years and praised the advanced polling station as an easier alternative.
Halifax has stayed within the 30-40 per cent range when it comes to overall turnouts.
Polls close at 7 p.m.
– Wyatt Carling, Mia Phillips, Jill Allday
6:30 p.m.
Signal reporters are ready to bring you the latest coverage from the election
Sixty-three candidates are waiting for the results of Halifax Regional Muncipality’s election tonight. Nearly 60 student journalists from the University of King’s College and Nova Scotia Community College are here to bring you the latest.
We’ll bring you updates, exclusive interviews and the most extensive coverage available.
This live blog was produced by Caora McKenna, Erin Moore and Patrick McCarron along with deputy live blog producer Sam Creighton, video producer Jessie Bruce with support from Theodore Misseri, editor Fred Vallance-Jones, deputy editor Julia Odendaal and editing assistant Alyssia Halvorsen, poll results monitor Hannah Nekkers, editor monitoring other outlets Holly Lemmon, multimedia editor – social Cadence Williams-Stavert, social media editors Robyn Holysh and Izzy Robinson with support from Eveline Nelson, Google Trends analyst Autumn Liske, editor of prepared content Zoe Wellings, headline writer Lynnette Alford, visual editor Jody Connors, photographers Jacqueline Shirokov and Joe Spinney, video editor Ella Baja with support from Alex Harris, live TV tech Ryan Landry with support from Ryley Boutilier, live TV hosts Paige Dillman and Lily Gelissen, videographers Coulson Ward, Sam Murrant, Reece Hunter, Theo Iatrou, Natalie Mariah and Melvin Chux, reporters Yuna Song, Jill Allday, Wyatt Carling, Mia Phillips, Najwa Mdoukh, Olivia Johnson, Lola Drewery, Marlo Ritchie, Claire Kelly, Mairi Ross, Willow Ryer, Kaylee Hubley, Michael Carver, Logan Ring, Nico Grove, Nick Basque, Colin North, Chyenne Comeau, David Murdock, Sally Skinner, Henri Friedman, Magda Bastida, Rick Chezenko, Val-Lynn Patterson, Jenna Banfield, Olivia Obura and newsroom support from Olivier Berube MacInnis, Sierra Cunningham and Meir Straus.
About the author
The Signal and NSCC Staff