Halifax Regional Municipality’s newly-elected council has been officially sworn in.
It’s a moment that came with a buzz of nerves and excitement for councillors like District 8 representative, Lindell Smith.
He celebrated his on-stage moment by yelling out a victorious, “Mama! We did it!”
Smith explained, “it was that moment of we did it! Like all that hard work, my team, my family, friends, everyone supporting me, all that work paid off.”
He is one of 16 councillors who will be taking their seats at City Hall.
Smith is also the first black Nova Scotian to be elected to council since 2000.
READ MORE: Halifax election 2016: Mike Savage returns, Lindell Smith takes Peninsula North
He won his riding with nearly 52 per cent of the vote and credits his victory to hours of going door-to-door with his team to talk to constituents.
“Thousands and thousands of doorsteps, thousands of shaking hands, kissing babies. Just taking that real effort to get out to all the doorsteps and just talk to folks and see what they’re talking about,” he said.
Smith adds diversity to a municipal government that’s primarily dominated by male Caucasians.
READ MORE: Halifax election 2016: City releases official results, voter turnout down
Only one black Nova Scotian councillor – Graham Downey – has been elected to council in the past 20 years.
“Now people will have someone they can identify with on council and it really gives them that extra vote of confidence,” he said.
Two women were elected out of the 13 who ran.
Returning Cole Harbour/Westhphal Coun. Lorelei Nicoll and first timer, Middle/Upper Sackville – Beaver Bank – Lucasville Coun. Lisa Blackburn.
“That just means we’re going to have to make sure our voices are heard, we’re going to have to work a little harder to get the point across and create an atmosphere that will encourage to run next time,” Blackburn said.
Mayor Mike Savage is out of the country on business and will be sworn in when he returns.
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