Q&A: Lindell Smith reflects on why he isn't running for Halifax council again

Lindell Smith is not running for a third term as councillor for Halifax Peninsula North after representing the district for the past eight years. 

When elected at 26, Smith was the youngest councillor and the first African Nova Scotian on city council in 16 years.

The lifelong resident of the city's North End talked to host Portia Clark on CBC Radio's Information Morning Halifax about why he only wanted to do two terms, his time as councillor and his future. 

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

Q: You've always said you would do two terms in office. Have people been surprised that you're not going for a third?

There are folks who thought I wouldn't live up to my commitment — in a good way. They hope that I do another term. But I said from the beginning, second day knocking on doors, 'Yep, I'm going to do this for two terms. I don't know if I can do it for longer.' And that's not in a negative sense.

I do believe in term limits and I do believe in a new voice, especially in a growing district and a growing city.

I started so young, I have the opportunity to kind of get dirty and [try] different opportunities and different roles and potentially a new career.

While I have a little bit of my youthfulness left, why not try to make some mistakes or make some different decisions? And then who knows what … I may come back.

Information Morning - NS7:36Trailblazing Black councillor stepping away from HRM politics

When Lindell Smith was elected in 2016, he won handily. He was the only Black Nova Scotian on the HRM council, the first elected in 16 years. Plus, he was only 26-years-old. Councillor Smith talks about the challenges of being a political newbie, what he's proud of accomplishing and what's next now that he's decided to not run.

Q: There was a lot made of the fact that you were a young Black man going into council at the time. Were their expectations from African Nova Scotians that you might be more responsive to their concerns than previous councils. How did you experience that?

That's something to this day I still deal with. Thankfully and graciously growing up in the North End, growing up [in the] predominantly historical Black community in the North End, but also [my] family being from the Preston Township. I came into this role also being part of the community. 

I wasn't just somebody who happened to be Black. I lived and breathed the ANS [African Nova Scotian] experience and people knew that.

That did add the pressure of 'we know you, we know your family, we know your mom, we know your uncle, we know your grandmother. I got an issue. Can you help me deal with it?' And I'm thankful that I can look back and look at situations where I was able to help.

Being able to support folks, but also looking at the policy aspect of things like Africville or what we've done for like Upper Hammonds Plains in terms of development policy and community land trusts.

Q: Have you decided what your next role is? You're not going to be Coun. Smith, you're still going to be dad. But what about beyond that? You mused about law school or going back to school.

It's funny how that big rumour became Nova Scotia news that I was going to law school. I don't have a plan. Hopefully, maybe do part-time law school, pick away at that and maybe get that under my belt. But as of now, just resumés and interviews and lots of conversations and hoping for something of interest.

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.