Halifax District 8 candidates share thoughts on diversity

The five candidates vying for a Halifax council seat share what diversity means when it comes to representing constituents. 

District 8 - Halifax Peninsula North was held by Jennifer Watts, who vacated her seat to increase diversity on council.

Since amalgamation in 1996, HRM has elected only one non-white councillor, Graham Downey.

The candidates spoke to CBC's Mainstreet on Wednesday:

Virginia Hinch

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"I was born and raised there, for all of my 48 years. I have a passion for my community. I am the only woman running in my district. I do think there needs to be more women...that is self-evident,. We are losing two women, come this election: Jennifer Watts and Gloria McCluskey. We need to fill those seats with women."

"Diversity means a lot of things. Whether it's a woman, whether it's colour, whether it's a person of disabilities... So is there a lack of diversity on this council? Most definitely there is.

"Should we only look at the north end? No. There are other districts, there are persons of colour running in those districts, I'm proud of that.

"You may not know my name. I am here as a strong advocate for my community. All of it, not just a one-sided conversation."

Anthony Kawalski

"As a newcomer to Canada, the province and the city, I'm not 'from here,' but I now consider myself to be 'of here.' I believe that as an artist, a creator, a writer and a thinker, that my eight years here in Canada, observing, watching, learning, growing as an individual, I see what the needs are of the citizens of the community in District 8.

"I feel that I have a global view, a world view having lived in London, having seen the issues of poverty, crime and gentrification there. It gives me a great set of skills to work with, and for, the community.  

"I am a person of colour. That is not the issue. My sleeping partner habits or the person I married is not the issue. I married a man. I will make no secret of that.

"All of the people of the district, no matter who they are, what colour they are, what creed, what gender they are, I am representing the people of District 8 and working with all the people of the city at the same time."

Chris Poole

"I've been working in Halifax, in the north end for quite a long time. I serve on a few not-for-profit boards, and I work with organizations and schools, too. North-end Halifax has been home to my family since before the Halifax Explosion. I love it here. It's the best place to live. There's a lot going on. There's development going through.

"I just think we need to start looking at these processes and making sure the different levels of government are working together and collaborating and involving the community more.

"It shouldn't be on one district. [Diversity] should be right across every district. It just makes sense to have more people coming out and running for these positions. It doesn't just mean black. I'd love to see diversity in all levels of government."

Lindell Smith

"I feel I am the right candidate for this job. I have a proven record in the community and in the province as well. I have been recognized for my leadership in the community with various awards.

"There are many groups that haven't had their voices heard, in processes with the city. Without them...we lose what is actually happening on the ground and I feel that as a proven community leader, I am able to bridge the gaps, not only with community groups but with marginalized people who don't have a say in anything that's happening in the city.

"The onus is on our city as a whole, our province and all of Canada. Right now, they are only talking about black, but it needs to be about women, people with disabilities…any age, colour, Aboriginal descent."

Brendan Sommerhalder

"I'm running because I know I can be effective as a representative in terms of taking the issues, the concerns and the ideas of residents and turning that into action at city hall.

"I also believe that as a city government, we can have a lot better partnerships with community groups that are doing important work right now. I have experience working across a diverse set of viewpoints.

"Council is too old, too white, too rich, more so than the general population, so there is a municipality wide responsibility to increase the participation at all levels of government. In District 8, we are leading by example at the moment; we probably have the most diverse group of people running.

"It would be great to see more. I would love to see a Mi'kmaw in the race, maybe two. More women would be great, as well. It's not just council where we are seeing a lack of diversity, it is in all levels of decision-making in the municipality. It's systemic."