Federal Election 2025: Halifax, Nova Scotia Candidates Answer Student Questions

The Canadian federal election on Monday, April 28, is fast approaching. Early voting has already begun and Canadians are flocking to the polls to have their say in who represents them in Parliament. In Halifax, candidates are gearing up to fill a seat that has been vacant since September 2024. The Weldon Times reached out to the candidates from the major parties to ask them the pressing questions on students’ minds and hear about how they would approach representing Haligonians in the federal arena. 

As young people establishing our places in our communities, the opportunity to choose who represents us is crucial to charting a course to a better future. We have aimed to ask questions that will help all voters understand who the candidates are, the way they will represent us, and where their priorities lie. 

When and how to vote in the 2025 federal election

In Halifax, you can vote in person at 6206 Quinpool Road:

• Monday, April 21

At your local election office:

• Monday, April 28

Or by mail-in ballot.

Lisa Roberts, NDP Candidate

Lisa Roberts has worked as a journalist, a non-profit leader, and MLA and now is an experienced community builder with a passion for making people’s lives better. Lisa became the MLA for Halifax Needham in an August 2016 byelection and was re-elected in 2017. During her time with the NDP caucus in the Nova Scotia legislature, she was a prominent voice on issues ranging from affordable housing to climate action and forestry. 

• What do believe are the top four most pressing issues students and citizens face in Halifax? How do you plan to address them?

Housing. So many of our neighbours feel precariously housed, fear reno-viction, fear the end of a fixed term lease, or that they won’t be able to continue paying rent that is beyond their means. The NDP plans to address this by building and acquiring more housing to increase the number of doors in the non-market sector (non-profit, co-op, and public housing) by leveraging federal land and spending power; as well, federal housing funds to the Province of Nova Scotia can be leveraged to require better protections for tenants. And we need federal investment as well as partnerships with provinces, municipalities and non-profit organizations so that people do not have to resort to sheltering in tents.  

Food insecurity. Too many households are struggling with grocery prices. The NDP pushed for federal funding for school food in the 2024 budget and that will be a help to families. The NDP is also calling for a cap on prices on some grocery basics and for the removal of the GST from essentials to help with affordability.  

Healthcare. We know that our healthcare system is under strain. Measures that the NDP fought for under the last minority parliament: Dentalcare, which has benefitted millions of Canadians already, and Pharmacare, which will begin with coverage for birth control and diabetes drugs and devices once the Province of Nova Scotia signs on to an agreement, can both improve Canadians’ health outcomes, but there is a lot more work to do. 

Climate change. I’m committed to tackling the climate crisis by improving efficiency programs, securing federal funds for green infrastructure and ending subsidies for oil and gas companies. 

 

• How do you plan to keep your constituents informed and engaged with your activities in government? Overall, what is your approach to representation? 

As a former journalist, I like communicating with people! In various jobs, including as MLA and in the non-profit sector, I’ve produced regular newsletters. I also enjoy being hosted on podcasts and asking questions. Finally, I love showing up to speak with community associations, classes, or groups of neighbours.  I will prioritize being available and building community. 

• How are you involved in the community, and what is your approach to building strong communities financially and socially?

Halifax is where I learned how to potluck, how to swim, how to ride a bike, and how to Contra dance. I’ve helped to create a community garden and have hosted community meals where I made the pot of chili to feed dozens. I really appreciate community groups that are strengthening loose social ties, the kinds of relationships across diversity, amongst neighbours, that build our collective resilience. I’m very aware of folks living in social isolation, often due to low incomes and/or high housing costs that make it difficult to partake in community events. As Member of Parliament for Halifax, I will use my office and its resources to support the building of strong and inclusive communities.  

• What’s your favourite pastime or hobby?

I love time with my teenagers, whether that means playing a board game or cooking with them. On my own, I dream of a time when I’ll get back to sewing. 

• Do you own any real property inside, or outside, Nova Scotia? Additionally, please provide an outline of how your representation will improve the housing crisis in the city?

I co-own the house that I share with my partner and our kids. We managed to complete a renovation that enabled us to add a one-bedroom apartment – that could be for intergenerational living – which is rented to an acquaintance. As the former housing critic for the Nova Scotia NDP during most of my time as an MLA, I learned a lot. The housing crisis we are now in was foreseeable in 2017, but there is no satisfaction in saying, “I told you so.”  Jack Layton also wrote extensively about housing and homelessness in the 2000s. To quote Carolyn Whitzman’s 2024 book, Home Truth: Fixing Canada’s Housing Crisis, “For the past two generations, under Liberal and Conservative leadership, Canada has failed a basic moral test. Are we ensuring that the society we leave behind is better for the next generation.”  And to quote her again, “Canada’s housing crisis is fixable… It won’t take the overthrow of capitalism, although it will take a political shift toward investing in the collective good.” We need significant and sustained public investment in non-market housing.

• Tell me about a project you worked on with a team—whether in government, previous jobs, school, sports teams, or otherwise. What was your role, and how did you work within the group? Were your project’s goals achieved?

From 2022 to 2024, I was Executive Director of Nourish Nova Scotia, a provincial non-profit with a vision of a province where children and youth are well-nourished to live, learn and play. The role of non-profit Executive Director is very challenging, and I was largely responsible for human resources, fundraising, government relations, and partnership building. There were so many highlights, including supporting an elementary school in Halifax to offer a universal, healthy lunch program the year before the Province of Nova Scotia launch their program; working with Feed Nova Scotia, the Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia, the Mobile Food Market and JustFood to envision and incorporate a Halifax Regional Food Hub to facilitate transactions between local food producers and wholesaler customers, and supporting board renewal and staff team development.  

• It seems like there are unprecedented times pretty frequently these days. Could you give a specific example that highlights your problem solving skills?

During my time at Nourish Nova Scotia, I had to draw on many different relationships to successfully reset our relationship with the Province of Nova Scotia. Within a year of becoming Executive Director, I was able to negotiate a new service agreement with a different government department and around the time of my departure, we secured significant new funding to help advance our mission.  

• Where can voters who want to be informed get detailed information about your platform?

I’m proud to run on the platform of the NDP which can be found at ndp.ca 

Shannon Miedema, Liberal Party Candidate

Shannon has spent her career building a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive city. An alum of both Kings and Dal, Shannon is the Director of Environment & Climate Change for the city of Halifax. She’s ready to bring our voices to Ottawa to make life more affordable, build stronger public health care, take bold climate action, and protect jobs and our economy from Donald Trump.

• What do you believe are the top four most pressing issues students and citizens face in Halifax? How do you plan to address them?

The biggest issue we face together is the threats to our sovereignty and the tariffs from the current US administration. Economic uncertainty and threats of a recession often have the greatest impact on young people, those seeking to enter the workforce, and those in precarious employment. As Mark Carney has stated, our relationship with the US has changed drastically. While we will seek to maintain our longstanding relationship with the US, we must explore opportunities to engage with other like-minded nations on trade, to provide the economic opportunities that will benefit our communities. Mark Carney has the economic background and international experience to provide the leadership Canada needs at this time. Within the Mark Carney team, I am and will be a strong supporter of his economic and trade agenda as well as a strong advocate for support for our residents in these uncertain economic times. 

Climate change is also a significant issue and challenge. I have led the team at the Halifax Regional Municipality as Director of Environment & Climate Change in developing and implementing our local response: HalifACT, our climate action plan. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our lifetimes and has an effect on our economy, infrastructure, and our food systems. Mitigating these effects is essential to ensure our youth have a prosperous future. 

Housing and affordability is a major issue, which I address in the answer below. Finally, as someone who took out student loans myself to attend university, an equitable society requires greater attention to educational affordability and accessibility. Reducing barriers to postsecondary education is critical to give everyone a fair opportunity in today's job market. Though I don’t think I can address these with the detail I’d like to in a short-form article, I would say my overall approach will be doing what I've always done – working across sectors to ensure the policies we are creating are strong, sustainable, and benefit everyone.

• How do you plan to keep your constituents informed and engaged with your activities in government? Overall, what is your approach to representation?

It’s so important that Haligonians are engaged and involved in the democratic process. The only way we can build a more resilient community is if everyone’s voices are included. My personal belief is that an MP needs to be out and in the community, meeting people in person and hearing their concerns in spaces where people gather. We also need to be reaching people where they are on social media. I love the idea of town halls, both in person and virtually as well as social media Q&As. My socials are @shannonforhalifax, and they will be a key communication tool. At its core, my approach to representation is taking the concerns I hear from you and advocating for them in the spaces where decisions are made. That’s what politics is all about. 

• How are you involved in the community, and what is your approach to building strong communities financially and socially?

In the community, I serve as an Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) mentor and serve on multiple advisory boards across Halifax including the Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact Fund. My approach to building strong communities is finding solutions that work for our communities when viewed through multiple lenses, including the environment, the economy, and social justice. Halifax is a  hub of research, innovation, and manufacturing, and has so much to offer, both to Canada and to the world. This period of economic uncertainty is a threat but also an opportunity for Halifax to emerge stronger, more resilient, and more connected – socially, environmentally, and economically. This is a diverse city, and it needs strong leaders at the decision-making table to make sure the concerns, ideas, and perspectives of its residents are included in government policy. Collaborating together and building on our shared values can ensure we weather this storm and our community comes out the other end better off.

• What’s your favourite pastime or hobby?

Spending time with my family, including running with my border collie River! Honestly, really anything outdoors, including backcountry camping, skiing, hiking, and canoeing.

• Do you own any real property inside, or outside, Nova Scotia? Additionally, please provide an outline of how your representation will improve the housing crisis in the city?

Yes, I own a home here. Housing affordability is one of the biggest priorities for the Mark Carney team and myself. We need more affordable housing, both for renters and homeowners. The Liberals have invested hundreds of millions of dollars through the Housing Accelerator Fund, including providing up to $80 million for Halifax. But more must be done, particularly to encourage greater housing supply. I recognize the importance of these programs and expanding these programs is a major priority of mine. Our Conservative opponents have pledged to terminate the Housing Accelerator Fund, seeking to deny opportunities to those who wish to enter the housing market, or are concerned about the affordability of their rental units.

• Tell me about a project you worked on with a team—whether in government, previous jobs, school, sports teams, or otherwise. What was your role, and how did you work within the group? Were your project’s goals achieved?

One project I am particularly proud of is my team and I at the city of Halifax’s work to negotiate a new wind energy deal that is saving the city money and pushing us closer to our goal of net-zero emissions. This deal cuts our energy consumption, increases competition, and safeguards our city’s energy supply against geopolitical uncertainty. I highlight this example because I believe it showcases my ability to seize opportunities from crises, and I feel this is exactly the style of leadership needed in politics at this current moment. Nothing happens by accident and nothing happens without teamwork. Though the project is ongoing, as are its results, it has set a very strong precedent for new ways to make Halifax more sustainable and affordable, and for that, I am incredibly proud.

• It seems like there are unprecedented times pretty frequently these days. Could you give a specific example that highlights your problem-solving skills?

There definitely are, and without hesitation, I would point to my work on HalifACT. HalifACT (acting on climate together) is this city’s action plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and to strengthen our community by adapting to extreme weather events and climate change. By ensuring our economy, infrastructure, and environment are safeguarded against future threats, we are able to seize opportunity while attempting to mitigate the climate challenge. Working with my Halifax municipal colleagues, I championed our city on the world stage, earning Halifax a Clean50 Top Project of the Year award, an Economic Resilience Award from Climate Proof Canada as well as “A-List” status from the Carbon Disclosure Project. This is ultimately all about results for our communities and our neighbours. Whether it's purchasing new electric vehicles and buses, building new net-zero buildings, or leading projects that improve the resiliency of communities and infrastructure, this plan is having a real impact on Halifax. We know stronger communities are the key to solving the most pressing problems of our generation.

• Where can voters who want to be informed get detailed information about your platform?

I would encourage everyone to stay up to date on my social media, where I’ve been documenting our campaign and showcasing our efforts to reach as many voters as possible. Our socials are @shannonforhalifax. Mark Carney’s socials (@markjcarney) are also a good source of information. For the Liberal Party's announcements and backgrounders, as well as our future platform, you can check out liberal.ca. Feel free to stop by our headquarters at 7165 Chebucto Road (across from the Armview) for a coffee and a chat!

Other major parties

We reached out to the Conservative Party Candidate, Mark Boudreau, but received no response after several weeks. 

Further, when the interview questions were sent out, the Green Party candidate and the People’s Party candidate had not been publicly confirmed with Elections Canada. We encourage voters to review their candidates’ policies as well.