Halifax Mayor Faces Investigation for Potential Code of Conduct Violation
The mayor of Halifax is under scrutiny for a potential breach of the city’s code of conduct following an assessment by an independent consultant that found merit in complaints alleging he had provided misleading information to the public regarding governance at city hall.
In a recent interview on CBC’s Maritime Noon, Mayor Andy Fillmore expressed his openness to having “strong mayor powers” if authorized by the province. Fillmore argued that such powers were necessary as the chief administrative officer currently wields significant authority within the municipal framework, with the mayor reporting to the CAO.
However, several councillors, including the current CAO Cathie O’Toole, swiftly contradicted Fillmore’s assertions, clarifying that the CAO reports to the council, which encompasses the mayor.
Halifax resident Jillian Banfield, a seasoned observer of municipal affairs and former bicycle mayor of Halifax, promptly recognized the inaccuracies in Fillmore’s statements. She likened his approach to a tactic employed by former President Donald Trump, where falsehoods are repeated until perceived as truth.
Banfield, along with Peter Linfield of Halifax, filed complaints with the Halifax municipality, alleging that Fillmore’s remarks breached a section of the municipal code of conduct for elected officials by misleading the public and potentially disseminating misinformation to advance his agenda for “strong mayor powers.”
While Fillmore later clarified in a joint statement with O’Toole that the CAO reports to the council, he noted that the Office of the Mayor falls under the CAO’s business unit according to the Halifax organizational chart.
An external investigator, Tanya Tynski of MC Advisory, has been appointed to conduct a formal investigation into the complaints. The municipality rotates between MC Advisory and Atlantic Workplace Investigations & Consulting for third-party investigations into such matters.
Halifax recently adopted new provincewide rules for elected officials’ conduct, necessitated by the provincial government in 2024 to ensure uniform standards across municipalities.
The investigating report is expected to be presented to the council within six months of the complaint, which was lodged in late July, outlining the findings, recommendations, and any potential sanctions to be imposed.
Both Banfield and Linfield are calling for an apology from Fillmore in response to the investigation’s outcome, emphasizing the need for accountability and responsible leadership from the mayor.
Another complaint has been reported regarding Fillmore’s decision to abruptly end a town hall meeting in Cole Harbour on August 25, following discussions related to funding for an upcoming sports event in Halifax. This additional case is also under investigation by Tynski.
Requests for comments from Fillmore’s office regarding the investigations have not been responded to as of yet, with municipal spokesperson Jake Fulton citing confidentiality requirements for ongoing code of conduct probes.
Once the regional council reaches a decision, details of formal complaints will be made publicly available online, in accordance with the city’s transparency protocols.
The council will deliberate on the matter privately, disclosing the code section related to the complaint, the investigator’s suggestions, and any sanctions imposed, which could range from a formal apology to fines or temporary committee removal.
As the investigations proceed, community members and officials await the outcomes, seeking clarity and accountability from their elected representatives.
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