Halifax mayoralty candidate Lil MacPherson says environment is top priority

Restaurateur Lil MacPherson is challenging incumbent Mike Savage for the mayor's job by making the environment a top priority.

At the launch of herenvironmentalplatform 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, saidshehastravelled to environmental conferencesaround 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."

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Savagelaunched his campaign for re-election on Tuesday. MacPherson is his only competitor.

Regardless of the outcome, MacPherson said she will challenge Savageto give any leftover campaign donations to a local environment group of his choosing. Currently, there arefew 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 educationfirst.

"We have to make sure the planet's going to be good, the people are being taken care ofand 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 suingHalifax's new convention centre, theNova Centre,over losses owners say they've suffered from its construction.

Shesaid as she'scampaigneddoor to door she's heard from peoplewhodon't feel they're heardonmunicipal 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 particularfor the environment.

She invited local Mi'kmaq artists Lorne Julien and Quentin Syliboyto paint live at her launch, hosted near her restaurant's Dartmouth location.

MacPherson announced her intention to run back in April. The municipalelection is Oct. 15.