Investigation into Halifax mayor’s office could shake voters’ trust: former councillor

Former Halifax councillor Lisa Blackburn talks about a recent audit on the office of the mayor.

As police investigate alleged spending issues by the Halifax mayor’s office, a former councillor says public trust could be on the line.

Earlier this week, Halifax’s auditor general said he referred some spending issues by the mayor’s office to the police following an audit.

Lisa Blackburn, who represented the Middle/Upper Sackville-Beaver Bank-Lucasville riding from 2016 to 2024, said the decision to involve police signals the potential seriousness of the matter.

“It sets the tone for what’s taken place,” Blackburn told CTV News Atlantic’s Todd Battis.

Blackburn said the investigation could have ramifications for voters’ trust in the municipal government.

“Anytime that you have a situation where police agencies are brought in to investigate the government, that is something that’s going to chip away at trust,” she said. “This mayor especially is in a precarious position because this is what he ran on, transparency and accountability.

“That means some voters are going to have their trust shaken by this.”

The auditor general noted two invoices for legal services were submitted and paid for, despite not receiving authorization by the municipal solicitor. Mayor Andy Fillmore paid back those invoices after he was notified, according to the audit.

The auditor general also said two procurements for consulting services for the mayor’s office did not follow competitive processes.

“It’s also a case of knowing the process and following the process,” Blackburn said. “There are definitely times when you need to go outside to get goods and services, but you need to follow processes.”

With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Natalie Lombard

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