Halifax Mayor Denies 'Backroom' Deal Allegations Over Forum Redevelopment Pause
Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore faces scrutiny from the Halifax Forum Community Association over alleged collusion with a minor hockey group to pause a $126-million arena redevelopment. While the association cites emails suggesting a coordinated effort, both the mayor’s office and the Halifax Hawks deny any improper assistance in drafting motions or building support.
Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore is facing allegations of engaging in a "backroom" deal to halt the $126-million redevelopment of the Halifax Forum. The accusations come from the Halifax Forum Community Association (HFCA), which claims the mayor collaborated with the Halifax Hawks Minor Hockey Association to change a council vote regarding the facility's future.
The controversy centers on efforts to pause the redevelopment plans, which could lead to the closure of the aging Forum by June 2027 due to safety concerns. Paul Card, board chair for the HFCA, stated that the current structure cannot remain open past that date without significant intervention.
According to the HFCA, an email dated Sept. 14 from Peter Mombourquette, a board member for the Halifax Hawks, claimed that Mayor Fillmore asked for help building support to alter the council vote and provided a draft motion. The association alleges this constitutes an improper agreement between the mayor and the sports organization.
However, both parties have firmly denied these claims. Tim Boyce, technical director for the Halifax Hawks, stated that his organization did not receive input from Fillmore’s office and that the mayor did not request their help. Ryan Nearing, senior communications adviser for the mayor’s office, confirmed that neither Fillmore nor his staff assisted in writing the draft motion and noted there was no discussion about it during the meeting in question.
Despite the denials of collusion, Mayor Fillmore released a statement confirming he met with the Hawks and intends to pursue a pause on the Forum redevelopment this fall. The Halifax Hawks launched a petition in August asking regional council to keep the Forum open until a larger facility is built; the petition has gathered nearly 800 signatures.
The potential closure of the Forum, along with the Civic arenas, would result in the loss of two ice surfaces beginning in the 2027-28 season. Graeme Benjamin, a public affairs adviser for the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), indicated that municipal ice arenas are currently booked at 100 per cent capacity, with a shortage of roughly 100 prime-time hours per week. Closing the existing facilities would reduce prime-time ice hours by approximately 124 per week, exacerbating the shortage for local sports organizations.