Halifax mayoralty candidate Lil MacPherson says environment is top priority
'I see the rest of the world changing, and we're not,' says businesswoman Lil MacPherson
Restaurateur Lil MacPherson is challenging incumbent Mike Savage for the mayor's job by making the environment a top priority.
At the launch of her environmental platform Friday, she said she understands "the foundations of what makes a city work" because of her roles as a small business owner and an environmentalist.
MacPherson, who owns The Wooden Monkey restaurant in Dartmouth, said she has travelled to environmental conferences around the world that dealt with municipal sustainability.
"I see the rest of the world changing, and we're not," MacPherson said.
"They're speeding along and I come back home: Nothing ... We have to catch this wave of change."
Savage launched his campaign for re-election on Tuesday. MacPherson is his only competitor.
Regardless of the outcome, MacPherson said she will challenge Savage to give any leftover campaign donations to a local environment group of his choosing. Currently, there are few rules around municipal campaign donations.
Sustainable practices
MacPherson said she's looking to include sustainability in all municipal decisions, from building new developments to managing services, such as sewage and water.
But she said councillors could use more education first.
"We have to make sure the planet's going to be good, the people are being taken care of and then the profits come," MacPherson said.
"I want to bring that same philosophy from my own business into city hall."
'They're jaded, they're bitter'
MacPherson's restaurant is one of several businesses suing Halifax's new convention centre, the Nova Centre, over losses owners say they've suffered from its construction.
She said as she's campaigned door to door she's heard from people who don't feel they're heard on municipal issues.
"They're jaded, they're bitter because they don't feel they have a voice," MacPherson said.
"I want to get in the communities and listen to them, because I'm one of them. I'm one of those people."
Indigenous 'champions' for environment
MacPherson said she's looking to Nova Scotia's Indigenous communities for inspiration.
"They're champions right now for us in this country and Nova Scotia," she said, in particular for the environment.
She invited local Mi'kmaq artists Lorne Julien and Quentin Syliboy to paint live at her launch, hosted near her restaurant's Dartmouth location.
MacPherson announced her intention to run back in April. The municipal election is Oct. 15.
With files from CBC's Paul Poirier