N.S. launches campaign schools to encourage more people to run in municipal elections

Ahead of this fall's municipal elections, Nova Scotia is launching three campaign schools to help encourage more people to run for office. 

The sessions are open to everyone, according to Municipal Affairs Minister John Lohr, but the province is hoping to encourage people from underrepresented groups, like women and people from diverse backgrounds, to attend as well.

The schools will happen on the following Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m:

• Sydney, June 15, Eltuek Arts Centre.
• Truro, June 22, Rath Eastlink Community Centre (people from all over the province can also attend online).
• Shelburne, July 13, Shelburne Community Centre.

Participants will be able to have the cost of child care reimbursed after the session.

HRM Coun. Lisa Blackburn says she's a proud graduate of a previous campaign school.

Prior to running in her first election in 2016, Blackburn attended a school hosted by the Nova Scotia Status of Women. She said it gave her added confidence before launching her campaign.

"I think this is an incredible opportunity for people to learn exactly what is involved with running a campaign," she said Thursday.

Blackburn said it's not always easy to know where to start if you plan to run for office, especially if you have no experience.

Hosting these campaign schools in smaller communities will also go a long way to helping people who may not traditionally have considered running for office.

"You don't have to have a lot of experience to run for office," Blackburn said. "You can take your experience as a community leader and bring that to the council table. You can bring your experience as a business leader and bring that to the council table."

More information on the campaign schools is available here.