Why this young unhoused person and mechanic want to be Halifax's next mayor
Haley Ryan | CBC News | Posted: May 3, 2024 9:00 AM | Last Updated: May 3
Clay Bowser and Nolan Greenough say their youth is an asset in the race
The race for a new Halifax mayor has started, and two political newcomers say they've been driven to run through their own experiences with affordability and housing.
Clay Bowser and Nolan Greenough have registered as unofficial candidates for mayor of Halifax in the upcoming October municipal election. Official nominations will happen at the end of the summer.
Bowser, 27, has a background in information technology. He's originally from New Glasgow and has been in Halifax for the past decade.
But right now, Bowser said he's between jobs and is living at a shelter in the city.
"I've [borne] witness to the challenges that my city faces — specifically speaking, affordable housing — and I know that I can make a positive difference if elected," Bowser said.
Besides better housing policies, Bowser said he wants to give a voice to people from all backgrounds.
He also hopes his run inspires more young people to get engaged in politics.
"They can make a positive change in their country. You don't have to give up," he said.
Nolan Greenough, 23, said his youth and open mind would be assets as mayor.
"Everywhere I go, I learn something new from somebody new, and I think that is massively beneficial to somebody on council, somebody as a mayor," Greenough said.
He works as a mechanic at a U-Haul location in Halifax, and lives in Dartmouth with his family.
Greenough said he experienced tough times and food insecurity growing up with a single mom in various neighbourhoods around Halifax, so affordable housing and supporting people experiencing homelessness are top issues for him.
"I want to help people, right? I don't want other people to have to go through what I went through," he said.
Improving Halifax's transit system is also a priority, Greenough said. Right now, it's not something he or his mom can rely on for work because it would take about two hours to commute via bus compared to a 20-minute drive.
Besides the environmental benefits, better transit would also allow more people without cars to get to a job and lift them out of poverty, he said.
Greenough said he's been watching recent council meetings online to get a sense of how city hall works, and videos from outgoing councillors and Mayor Mike Savage offering their insights on municipal politics.
"[Savage] mentioned how if you're running for mayor, you need to think about what you can bring to the city, and … he brought his communication," Greenough said.
"For me, coming from a very hands-on, practical background, I think having that practical way of thinking is what we kind of need here."
Election coming in October
Candidates can gather donations and campaign now while official nominations will happen Sept. 10.
Coun. Pam Lovelace is expected to announce her bid for mayor at an event on Friday. Her council colleague, Coun. Waye Mason, has said he's considering the top job as well, but has yet to make an announcement.
It's been rumoured Halifax MP Andy Fillmore will run as well, but he has yet to confirm.
Municipal election day across Nova Scotia is Oct. 19.
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