Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore Says Council Relations Now on Track

Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore says his working relationship with city council and the chief administrative officer’s office has improved, following a challenging first year in office marked by disagreements and internal tensions.

During 2025, several councillors openly disagreed with Fillmore on key matters such as bike lane expansion, budget decisions, and the redevelopment of the Windsor Street exchange. The debate intensified in January when council voted to cancel the exchange plan due to concerns over transit lanes. Fillmore later criticized the decision publicly and encouraged residents to speak to their councillors. The decision was reversed the following month after staff confirmed that two-way transit lanes would be included.

Strain between the mayor and council became more visible over the summer when Fillmore expressed support for strong mayor powers, arguing that the current municipal structure made it difficult for him to address major issues like traffic congestion and housing affordability. His remarks about the chief administrative officer holding too much authority drew criticism from councillors and the administration, who said the comments were misleading.

To address the growing tension, the city brought in a professional facilitator during an off-site workshop this fall. The sessions focused on improving collaboration and communication between council members and the mayor. Fillmore said the discussions helped everyone better understand how to work together more constructively.

The sessions were held both online and in person and cost the municipality $22,500. Fillmore said the provincial government’s decision not to introduce strong mayor powers in the near future also helped ease uncertainty within council.

Fillmore acknowledged that the October 2024 municipal election brought significant change, with many new councillors joining the chamber after years of stability under former mayor Mike Savage. He said this transition naturally led to growing pains as council adjusted to new leadership and ideas.

Reflecting on his early months in office, Fillmore said he felt constrained by the administrative structure, citing delays in setting up his office. However, the former chief administrative officer maintained that the administration did not block the mayor’s work and suggested structural changes to reduce future friction.

An independent review later found that Fillmore did not violate the municipal code of conduct with his comments. The former chief administrative officer has since stepped down, and the city is now searching for a permanent replacement.