The 2020 Halifax municipal election was held on 17 October 2020 to elect councillors and a mayor to a four-year term on the Halifax Regional Council, the governing body of the Halifax Regional Municipality. Members of the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial were also elected.[1] The election was held in conjunction with municipal elections across the province.

2020 Halifax mayoral election
← 2016 October 17, 2020 2024 →
Turnout39.83%
 
Nominee Mike Savage Matt Whitman Max Taylor
Popular vote 102,735 13,497 11,928
Percentage 80.16% 10.53% 9.31%

Results of the 2020 Halifax mayoral election by district

Mayor before election

Mike Savage

Elected mayor

Mike Savage

Halifax City Hall

Of the 16 incumbent councillors, 11 ran for re-election. Of those, nine retained their seats. Mike Savage sought another term as mayor, competing for the position against incumbent councillor Matt Whitman and social media personality and copywriter Max Taylor. Savage was handily re-elected, capturing over 80 per cent of votes cast for the position.

A record number of women were elected, achieving gender parity on Halifax council for the first time.

Electoral system

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Councillors (elected by residents of each of the 16 electoral districts) and the mayor (elected at-large by all voters) are chosen using the first-past-the-post voting system. Each district elects one councillor; the candidate with the most votes wins. There are no political parties at the municipal level in Nova Scotia.

The boundaries of the 16 districts, updated in 2015, were the same as those used in the 2016 election.[2]

Synopsis

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Council chambers, Halifax City Hall

In the run-up to the election, four incumbent councillors declared their intentions to retire from municipal politics. In October 2019, longtime Spryfield councillor Steve Adams (District 11) announced that he would not re-offer in the following year's election. Adams was first elected in 1991.[3] Veteran Dartmouth councillor Bill Karsten (District 3) announced in May 2020 that he would not run again.[4] Lorelei Nicoll (District 4) and Russell Walker (District 10) followed suit in July 2020.[5][6]

The first confirmed mayoral candidate was Matt Whitman, the incumbent councillor in District 13. Whitman announced his campaign at the Grand Parade in October 2019.[7] Incumbent mayor Mike Savage announced his candidacy for re-election in March 2020.[8] A third candidate, Max Taylor, joined the race in September 2020. Taylor's platform centred on encouraging Halifax residents to "get out and vote".[9]

Local market research firm Narrative Research (formerly Corporate Research Associates) polled the public in August 2020 to gauge support for Savage and Whitman (Taylor had not yet nominated). Of the decided voters polled, 89 per cent stated that they would vote for Savage for mayor.[10]

District 12 candidate Eric Jury attracted controversy after publishing a video in which he promised, if elected, to "bring any motion you want forward" on behalf of anyone who donated over $100 to his campaign. Jury's entry on the municipality's online list of candidates included a link to the video. Richard Zurawski, the incumbent councillor for District 12, stated that he was "absolutely floored" by the video, and expressed concern that municipal staff had apparently not vetted material posted to the elections website. The legality of Jury's proclamation was questioned. A city spokesperson responded, "the returning officer for the election has reached out to this candidate, and the video has been removed. No further action will be taken at this time."[11] Jury received only two per cent of votes cast in the district, and was not elected.[12]

Advance telephone and Internet polls ran from October 6 to 14. Advance in-person polls ran from October 10 to 13. The election was held on October 17.[13]

Mike Savage was re-elected as mayor by a large margin, earning a greater share of votes (80 per cent) than in 2016 (68 per cent). A record number of women (eight) were elected, achieving gender parity on council for the first time in history.[14] In contrast, only two women were elected in the 2016 election.[15] Of the 11 incumbent councillors that ran for re-election, nine retained their seats while two (Steve Streatch and Richard Zurawski) did not.

The results for most districts were known by the end of election day, as the unofficial results provided a clear indication of the winning candidates. However, the race in District 11 was too close to call, as Patty Cuttell led Bruce Holland by a small margin and results from two polls had not been published. The results were issued the following afternoon, with Cuttell winning the race by 28 votes.[14] The municipal returning officer attributed the delay to confusion surrounding the tallying of two advance polls, as well as a large number of new, inexperienced election staff.[16] Holland requested an official recount, commenting that the number of spoiled and rejected ballots was greater than the 28 votes that won the race.[17] On 28 October 2020, the judicial recount was officially ordered.[18] The recount confirmed Cuttell's win.[19]

Voter turnout increased over the previous election. In 2016, only 33.62 per cent of eligible residents voted. In 2020, approximately 39.65 per cent voted.[20] A professor of political science at Cape Breton University commented that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may have prompted a stronger interest in community affairs. The pandemic may also have encouraged the use of e-voting.[21]

The new council was sworn in on 29 October 2020 at the Halifax Convention Centre with the exception of Patty Cuttell, who had to await the results of the District 11 recount.[22][18] Cuttell was sworn in on 10 November.[23]

Candidates and results

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Note: The figures below do not take into account spoiled or rejected ballots.

Mayor

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Mike Savage was re-elected as mayor.

Candidate Votes %
Mike Savage (incumbent) 102,735 80.16
Matt Whitman 13,497 10.53
Max Taylor 11,928 9.31
Total 128,160 100
Registered voters/turnout 322,232 39.77
Source: Halifax Regional Municipality[12]

District 1: Waverley - Fall River - Musquodoboit Valley

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Cathy Deagle Gammon was elected, unseating incumbent Steve Streatch.

Candidate Votes %
Cathy Deagle Gammon 3,062 42.38
Steve Streatch (incumbent) 2,953 40.87
Stephen Kamperman 1,005 13.91
Arthur Wamback 205 2.84
Total 7,225 100
Registered voters/turnout 16,686 43.30
Source: Halifax Regional Municipality[12]

District 2: Preston - Chezzetcook - Eastern Shore

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Incumbent David Hendsbee was re-elected.

Candidate Votes %
David Hendsbee (incumbent) 4,379 50.90
Nicoll Johnson 2,436 28.32
Tim Milligan 1,538 17.88
David Boyd 250 2.91
Total 8,603 100
Registered voters/turnout 20,609 41.74
Source: Halifax Regional Municipality[12]

District 3: Dartmouth South - Eastern Passage

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Incumbent Bill Karsten did not re-offer.[24] Becky Kent, who served as regional councillor for the former Woodside-Eastern Passage district from 2004 to 2007, was elected.

Candidate Votes %
Becky Kent 4,309 43.44
Vishal Bhardwaj 1,818 18.33
Lloyd Jackson 1,575 15.88
Clinton Desveaux 1,283 12.93
George Mbamalu 934 9.42
Total 9,919 100
Registered voters/turnout 22,851 43.41
Source: Halifax Regional Municipality[12]

District 4: Cole Harbour - Westphal

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Incumbent Lorelei Nicoll did not re-offer.[5] Trish Purdy was elected.

Candidate Votes %
Trish Purdy 1,634 19.70
Darryl Johnson 1,294 15.60
Jessica Quillan 1,111 13.40
Chris Mont 1,039 12.53
Kevin Foran 858 10.35
Tania Meloni 758 9.14
John Stewart 597 7.20
Jamie MacNeil 451 5.44
Jerome Lagmay 169 2.04
Ryan Burris 144 1.74
Caroline Williston 125 1.51
Marisa DeMarco 113 1.36
Total 8,293 100
Registered voters/turnout 19,709 42.08
Source: Halifax Regional Municipality[12]

District 5: Dartmouth Centre

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Incumbent Sam Austin was re-elected.

Candidate Votes %
Sam Austin (incumbent) 7,769 82.07
Mitch McIntyre 1,697 17.93
Total 9,466 100
Registered voters/turnout 22,292 42.46
Source: Halifax Regional Municipality[12]

District 6: Harbourview - Burnside - Dartmouth East

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Incumbent Tony Mancini was re-elected.

Candidate Votes %
Tony Mancini (incumbent) 5,637 79.72
Ibrahim Manna 960 13.58
Douglas Day 474 6.70
Total 7,071 100
Registered voters/turnout 20,142 35.11
Source: Halifax Regional Municipality[12]

District 7: Halifax South Downtown

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Incumbent Waye Mason was re-elected.

Candidate Votes %
Waye Mason (incumbent) 3,728 62.11
Jen Powley 1,882 31.36
Craig Roy 287 4.78
Richard Arundel-Evans 105 1.75
Total 6,002 100
Registered voters/turnout 18,512 32.42
Source: Halifax Regional Municipality[12]

District 8: Halifax Peninsula North

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Incumbent Lindell Smith was re-elected.

Candidate Votes %
Lindell Smith (incumbent) 5,779 67.88
Virginia Hinch 2,261 26.56
Dylan Kennedy 473 5.56
Total 8,513 100
Registered voters/turnout 21,100 40.35
Source: Halifax Regional Municipality[12]

District 9: Halifax West Armdale

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Incumbent Shawn Cleary was re-elected.

Candidate Votes %
Shawn Cleary (incumbent) 3,880 41.72
Stephen Foster 2,913 31.32
Bill Carr 1,846 19.85
Shaun Clark 375 4.03
Gerry Lonergan 286 3.08
Total 9,300 100
Registered voters/turnout 21,511 43.23
Source: Halifax Regional Municipality[12]

District 10: Halifax - Bedford Basin West

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Incumbent Russell Walker did not re-offer.[25] Kathryn Morse was elected.

Candidate Votes %
Kathryn Morse 1,924 27.48
Debbie MacKinnon 1,286 18.37
Renee Field 1,190 17.00
Andrew Curran 1,100 15.71
Mohammad Ehsan 850 12.14
Sherry Hassanali 372 5.31
Kyle Morton 165 2.36
Christopher Hurry 115 1.64
Total 7,002 100
Registered voters/turnout 19,154 36.56
Source: Halifax Regional Municipality[12]

District 11: Spryfield - Sambro Loop - Prospect Road

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Incumbent Steve Adams did not re-offer.[26] Patty Cuttell was elected.

Candidate Votes %
Patty Cuttell 1,662 19.58
Bruce Holland 1,635 19.25
Matthew Conrad 1,482 17.46
Pete Rose 972 11.45
Bruce Cooke 781 9.20
Hannah Munday 465 5.48
Jim Hoskins 441 5.19
Ambroise Matwawana 309 3.65
Stephen Chafe 274 3.23
Lisa Mullin 252 2.97
Kristen Hollery 151 1.77
Dawn Edith Penney 66 0.78
Total 8,490 100
Registered voters/turnout 20,844 40.73
Source: Halifax Regional Municipality[12][27]

District 12: Timberlea - Beechville - Clayton Park - Wedgewood

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Iona Stoddard was elected, unseating incumbent Richard Zurawski.

Candidate Votes %
Iona Stoddard 3,074 37.65
Richard Zurawski (incumbent) 2,675 32.76
John Bignell 2,243 27.47
Eric Jury 173 2.12
Total 8,165 100
Registered voters/turnout 20,968 38.94
Source: Halifax Regional Municipality[12]

District 13: Hammonds Plains - St. Margarets

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Incumbent councillor Matt Whitman did not re-offer as he ran for mayor. Candidates are not allowed to run for mayor and councillor at the same time.[28] Pam Lovelace was elected.

Candidate Votes %
Pam Lovelace 3,444 36.26
Nick Horne 2,164 22.78
Darrell Jessome 1,808 19.03
Tim Elms 1,053 11.09
Harry Ward 323 3.40
Tom Arnold 307 3.23
Robert Holden 178 1.87
Iain Taylor 144 1.52
Derek Bellemore 78 0.82
Total 9,499 100
Registered voters/turnout 19,845 47.87
Source: Halifax Regional Municipality[12]

District 14: Middle/Upper Sackville - Beaver Bank - Lucasville

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Incumbent Lisa Blackburn was re-elected.

Candidate Votes %
Lisa Blackburn (incumbent) 4,898 85.11
Greg Frampton 857 14.89
Total 5,755 100
Registered voters/turnout 18,012 31.95
Source: Halifax Regional Municipality[12]

District 15: Lower Sackville

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Incumbent Paul Russell was re-elected.

Candidate Votes %
Paul Russell (incumbent) 2,901 51.56
Jay Aaron Roy 916 16.46
David Schofield 648 11.68
Mary Lou LeRoy 644 11.60
Anthony Mrkonjic 480 8.71
Total 5,589 100
Registered voters/turnout 16,747 33.37
Source: Halifax Regional Municipality[12]

District 16: Bedford - Wentworth

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Incumbent Tim Outhit was re-elected by acclamation.[29][30]

Conseil scolaire acadien provincial

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Three candidates for the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial were elected by acclamation, namely: Jeff Arsenault, Katherine Howlett, and Marc Pinet.[12]

References

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  1. ^ "Municipal elections". Halifax Regional Municipality. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  2. ^ "Current Polling District Boundaries". Halifax Regional Municipality. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  3. ^ Munro, Nicole (October 18, 2019). "Halifax councillor Stephen Adams will not reoffer in next municipal election". The Chronicle Herald.
  4. ^ Campbell, Francis (May 25, 2020). "Veteran HRM councillor Bill Karsten announces he won't reoffer this fall". Halifax Chroncle-Herald.
  5. ^ a b Woodford, Zane (July 6, 2020). "Halifax regional councillor Lorelei Nicoll announces she won't run again". Halifax Examiner.
  6. ^ Groff, Megham (July 22, 2020). "Russell Walker not reoffering in upcoming municipal election".
  7. ^ Woodford, Zane (October 30, 2019). "Councillor Matt Whitman announces he's running to be mayor of Halifax". Star Halifax.
  8. ^ Benjamin, Graeme (March 11, 2020). "Halifax Mayor Mike Savage announces he'll run for third term". Global News.
  9. ^ Woodford, Zane (September 8, 2020). "'I could win:' Halifax has a third mayoral candidate — and he's famous on TikTok". Halifax Examiner.
  10. ^ Woodford, Zane (September 3, 2020). "Nine out of 10 decided voters would choose Halifax Mayor Mike Savage over Coun. Matt Whitman according to a new poll". Halifax Examiner.
  11. ^ Woodford, Zane (August 27, 2020). "Halifax candidate guaranteed 'voice on council' for campaign donations over $100 in since-deleted video". Halifax Examiner.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Official Candidates - 2020 Municipal and CSAP Elections" (PDF). Halifax Regional Municipality. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  13. ^ Lightstone, Michael (September 15, 2020). "Q&A with Halifax's three mayoral candidates". Halifax Today.
  14. ^ a b Tattrie, John (October 18, 2020). "Last council winner gives Halifax gender parity for the first time". CBC News.
  15. ^ Gorman, Michael (October 17, 2020). "Record number of female councillors elected in HRM, Mike Savage returned as mayor". CBC News.
  16. ^ Berman, Pam (October 19, 2020). "Results of tight race in Halifax's District 11 slowed by new staff, poll confusion". CBC News.
  17. ^ Berman, Pam (October 20, 2020). "Halifax candidate asks for official recount after 28-vote loss". CBC News.
  18. ^ a b Renic, Karla (October 28, 2020). "Swearing-in for Halifax Regional Municipality councillor delayed due to vote recount". Global News.
  19. ^ Quon, Alexander; Renic, Karla (November 2, 2020). "Patty Cuttell confirmed as councillor of Halifax's District 11 after judicial recount". Global News.
  20. ^ Campbell, Francis (October 18, 2020). "Voter turnout surpasses that of recent Halifax Regional Municipality elections". Halifax Chronicle-Herald.
  21. ^ Moore, Kyle (October 19, 2020). "Pandemic might have spurred more to vote in municipal elections: political scientist". CTV News.
  22. ^ Brand, Matt (October 29, 2020). "HRM council swearing-in ceremony goes Thursday night". Halifax Today.
  23. ^ "Patty Cuttell to be sworn in today ahead of Regional Council". Global News. November 10, 2020.
  24. ^ Quon, Alexander (May 25, 2020). "Halifax Coun. Bill Karsten will not run for re-election in upcoming municipal vote". Global News.
  25. ^ Quon, Alexander (July 22, 2020). "Russell Walker to retire from Halifax municipal council after 27 years". Global News.
  26. ^ Campbell, Frances (June 12, 2020). "Eleven candidates challenging for HRM district seat held by Adams". Halifax Chronicle-Herald.
  27. ^ "District 11 Re-count" (PDF). Halifax Regional Municipality. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  28. ^ Quon, Alexander (October 30, 2019). "'Halifax's worst-kept secret': Matt Whitman announces he's running for mayor". Global News.
  29. ^ Quon, Alexander (August 12, 2020). "Tim Outhit to re-offer as Halifax councillor in October election". Global News.
  30. ^ Munro, Nicole (September 9, 2020). "Incumbent, councillor, TikTok star: 3 men in running for mayor of Halifax". The Chronicle Herald.
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