Polls open in Halifax-Needham byelection

The polls are open for the Halifax-Needham byelection Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The byelection was called to replace retiring NDP MLA Maureen MacDonald, who has held the riding for 18 years.

READ MORE: Film tax credit, affordable housing big issues in Halifax Needham byelection

Elections Nova Scotia says 1,468 people have already cast ballots through early voting methods, down from 1,831 in 2013.

Get to know the candidates:

Liberal candidate: Rod Wilson

Wilson has had steady involvement in Halifax’s north end community for several years, most recently serving as the executive director and physician at the North End Community Health Centre for three years.

Issues on his agenda include “housing for everyone,” health care, how livable new development in the city will be and supporting small businesses.

Get to know more about Rod Wilson:

6:11 Rod Wilson

Progressive Conservative candidate: Andy Arsenault

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Arsenault is a former RCMP officer who has been very involved in the north end Halifax area, particularly playing music for residents of the Northwood senior’s facility.

Priorities Arsenault would like to focus on include safe streets, pharmacare, the film industry and mental health care.

Get to know more about Andy Arsenault:

5:43 Halifax-Needham by-election PC candiate Andy Arsenault

NDP candidate: Lisa Roberts

Roberts has had a role in establishing community projects in Halifax-Needham, including the Future Roots community garden, the North End Opportunities Fund and the North End Community Circle.

Roberts said she hopes to carry MacDonald’s torch in the city’s north end. Her priorities include the film tax credit, creative industries as a whole and reorganizing primary health care.

Get to know more about Lisa Roberts:

5:42 Halifax-Needham by-election NDP candidate Lisa Roberts.

Green Party candidate: Thomas Trappenberg

Trappenberg became interim-leader of the Green Party less than two months ago after the party nearly folded because of low engagement.

Trappenberg’s priorities include environmental sustainability, mental health care and the film tax credit.

Get to know more about Thomas Trappenberg:

5:54 Halifax-Needham by-election Green Party of NS candidate Thomas Trappenberg

With files from the Canadian Press.