Documents reveal who donated to Halifax mayor, councillors in 2024 municipal election

Halifax financial campaign documents from the recent municipal election reveal how much money candidates for mayor and council raised — and from whom.

The Halifax Regional Municipality released campaign contribution and expense statements from the October 2024 municipal election last week.

Mayor Andy Fillmore raised $302,969 in both cash and in-kind contributions of services, none of which was his own personal money. He spent $298,255 on his campaign, slightly under the $300,000 maximum limit.

Roughly $4,700 in surplus was set aside for a future election.

The documents show Fillmore, a former Liberal MP, spent most of his funds ($228,031) on advertising and printing costs, as well as $34,233 on other printed materials like signs and postage.

Many Halifax developers donated to Fillmore's campaign, including Wadih Fares ($2,500), Francis Fares ($1,506), George Giannoulis ($3,000), Daniel Chedrawe ($1,000), Tony Metlege ($3,000), George Ramia ($2,000) and Navid Saberi ($2,000).

Other prominent donors include landlord Adam Barrett of BlackBay Real Estate ($3,000), Fred George ($3,000), who owns a mining company, Robert Steele of Steele Auto Group ($3,000), Nova Scotia Power president Peter Gregg ($1,000), and Emera Energy president Judy Steele ($1,000).

It's common to see developers make large donations to municipal candidates, including former Halifax mayors Mike Savage and Peter Kelly.

Brad and Thomas Hickey of Atlantic Road Construction & Paving (ARCP) each donated $3,000 to Fillmore. Brad Hickey also donated $1,000 to longtime Eastern Shore councillor, David Hendsbee.

ARCP is the company behind a proposed infilling project for part of Dartmouth Cove. Tensions rose this summer when the company put concrete blocks across a popular walking trail in the area, which they removed after the province got involved.

The Halifax municipality is considering making changes to restrict water lot development and infilling in Dartmouth Cove, similar to what has been done with the Northwest Arm. HRM is collecting public feedback on the idea until Jan. 31.

Fillmore's advertising expenses were more than the $145,330 the mayoral runner-up, former councillor Waye Mason, spent on his entire campaign.

Mason raised $146,046 in total contributions, putting in $925 of his own money. He spent $79,462 on advertising costs, and $13,906 on printed items like signs. Mason donated his $715.15 surplus to the Spencer House Seniors Centre.

Former councillor Pam Lovelace, who placed third, raised about $32,570 and spent it all with no surplus. Lovelace spent about $20,940 on printed materials like signs, and $7,900 on advertising and printing.

Some donors spread their funds to various candidates.

Jason Brunt, president of Clayton Developments, donated $3,000 apiece to Fillmore, Mason and Lovelace.

For a total of $9,000, this appears to break the campaign finance bylaw, which says the total amount of contributions an individual may make to candidates, per election, shall not exceed $5,900. Anyone who breaks the bylaw can be liable to a penalty of $500 to $10,000.

CBC has contacted the municipality for comment and will update this story with any response.

Councillors won seats without raising the most funds

But fundraising isn't always an indicator of who will win a municipal race.

Councillors Virginia Hinch, Patty Cuttell, Trish Purdy, Nancy Hartling, Billy Gillis and Laura White all won their seats, but saw competitors bring in more money.

This was the second municipal election in HRM where campaign finance rules were in place. The 2018 bylaw setting out the rules said candidates for mayor can spend a maximum of $300,000, while council candidates can spend $30,000.

Candidates for both mayor and councillor can't spend more than $5,900 of their own money. Corporations and non-profits cannot donate, and individuals can only donate up to $3,000 to mayoral candidates and $1,200 for someone running for council.