Halifax-area councillor Pam Lovelace has announced that she’s running for mayor this fall, making her the first high-profile candidate to throw her hat in the ring.
Lovelace, who represents Hammonds Plains – St. Margaret’s, made the announcement during an event Friday morning at Mount Saint Vincent University’s McCain Centre.
During her speech, she said Nova Scotia needs a strong capital city.
“And as a strong capital city, we need a strong team and a strong mayor who will ensure that together we can build smarter, grow stronger, and live better,” she said.
“And so today I’m proud to announce that I am running to be that mayor.”
Lovelace was first elected to council in 2020 and was served as deputy mayor in 2021-22.
She identified the cost of living and housing as some of the top issues facing the municipality as the population continues to grow. She pledged to work closely with provincial and federal leaders to find solutions.
“As your mayor, I will put an end to the finger-pointing and blame games with provincial and federal government,” she said. “My message to the premier and prime minister is, if you do your part to get the homes and the infrastructure built, I will be the first leading the applause.”
If elected, she would become the first female mayor the region has seen since the mid-90s. Moira Ducharme, who served from 1991 to 1994, was the first female mayor of pre-amalgamation Halifax, and no women have held the seat since.
Speaking with reporters after her speech, Lovelace said her announcement came as many women are leaving politics, as female politicians in particular are being targeted with abuse.
“I feel like the only way to address the level of abuse is to hit it straight on. So I’m ready to be that person that inspires more people to get their name on the ballot, more people to lead,” she said.
“Whether it’s municipal, provincial, or federal, we need more women and more diverse voices in government.”
She added that she is not a “typical politician,” as she did not enter politics from a place of privilege.
“I know what it’s like to not have a home or a roof over my head. I know what it’s like to experience gender-based violence. I know what it’s like to live in a very precarious situation, and too many people are living and experiencing that right now,” she said.
“We need leaders with lived experience who can make better informed decisions.”
‘Open season’
Longtime Halifax Mayor Mike Savage said in February that he will not be running during the municipal election in October, leaving the seat wide open.
“When there’s no incumbent like this, it’s pretty open season,” said Lori Turnbull, a political science professor at Dalhousie University.
“And with municipal lections, there’s no political party involvement either, so there’s not even a sense of passing the torch from one leader to the next within the party.”
Lovelace is the third person to become an unofficial mayoral candidate before official nominations open in September. Political newcomers Nolan Greenough and Clay Bowser also registered as unofficial candidates earlier in the spring.
Halifax Member of Parliament Andy Fillmore and fellow councillor Waye Mason have previously expressed interest in the job, but have made no official announcements.
Turnbull said it was “smart” for Lovelace to make the announcement so early on.
“She’s going to start to build her momentum now, because if the others haven’t haven’t announced, she’s got a leg up at this point,” she said. “She’s got a little bit of time to get her campaign in place, get some name recognition built up across HRM.”
The next municipal election is scheduled to take place Oct. 19.