Halifax will elect a new mayor Saturday [Video]

When municipal elections go ahead on Saturday, Halifax will elect a new mayor for the first time in 12-years.

Mayor Mike Savage is not seeking a fourth-term.

There is a crowded field of 16 candidates vying for mayor but local polling suggests it’s really a three-way race.

Andy Fillmore was the front runner in at least one poll as recently as Oct. 8, but he said he isn’t putting much stock in the polling numbers.

“This is my fourth major election,” said Fillmore on the campaign trail at a café in Dartmouth. “The only poll that matters is on election day.”

The former Halifax MP said he’s optimistic ahead of Saturday’s vote.

“On the doorsteps throughout HRM, the message I keep hearing is, it’s time for a change,” said Fillmore. “People are very worried about the housing shortage, about the encampments, about congestion, about transit.”

Councillor Waye Mason launched his campaign for mayor in July. He said …