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Andy Fillmore is Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality and a city-builder by training and practice, elected in 2024 following nearly a decade as the Member of Parliament for Halifax.
With a background in architecture, urban design, and planning - including work on major infrastructure projects like Boston’s Central Artery/Tunnel Project (“Big Dig”) - he has worked across local, academic, and federal systems to shape how cities grow and function. In Halifax, he served as the municipality’s first Manager of Urban Design, leading the “HRM by Design” Downtown Plan, and later held senior roles in academia and waterfront development.
Today, as Mayor, his focus is on aligning housing, infrastructure, and core services delivery to ensure Halifax remains affordable and is ready for the opportunities and pressures of rapid growth.
Andy Fillmore was born on April 25, 1966 in Bloomington, Indiana. His parents, both from Atlantic Canada, were studying abroad in the United States.
At the age of four, his family returned to Halifax. His mother was a public school teacher and his father was a university professor. He attended Tower Road School, Halifax Grammar School, Gorsebrook Junior High, and Queen Elizabeth High School, where he was involved in model parliament and varsity rugby - early interests that reflected both civic engagement and teamwork.
Fillmore began his studies in Engineering at Acadia University before transferring to the Technical University of Nova Scotia, where he received a Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies (Architecture) - developing a foundation in the relationship between the built environment and community outcomes.
He continued his studies at Dalhousie University, completing a Master of Urban and Rural Planning. During this time, he served as a teaching assistant, contributing author to the school newspaper, and President of the Graduate Planning Society, demonstrating strong academic leadership and institutional engagement. He graduated as the recipient of the Graduate Award for outstanding contributions to the university and student body.
In 1994, Fillmore attended the Harvard Graduate School of Design, where he completed a Master of Design Studies (Urban Design). He served as Class President and Student Representative on the Faculty Committee, contributing to academic governance at one of the world’s leading design institutions.
Before entering politics, Fillmore spent roughly two decades working as an urban planner and designer across public and private sector roles in the United States and Canada.
He began his career in Boston as an urban designer working on the Central Artery/Tunnel Project (“Big Dig”), one of the largest and most complex urban infrastructure projects in North America - an early exposure to large-scale city-building and transportation planning.
He went on to:
- work at Arrowstreet Inc., contributing to architecture and urban planning projects
- serve as Town Planner in Cumberland, Maine, overseeing municipal planning and development decisions
- found Interurban Planning & Design, advising on urban design, land use, and community development
Across these roles, Fillmore developed a professional reputation grounded in integrated planning, urban design excellence, and the practical implementation of growth strategies.
In 2005, Fillmore returned to Halifax, bringing international experience in large-scale infrastructure and urban design into a municipal context. He was appointed the municipality’s first Manager of Urban Design, positioning him at the centre of Halifax’s modern planning framework.
He led the development and implementation of the “HRM by Design” Downtown Plan, a landmark planning initiative that strengthened urban design standards and established clearer, more predictable development rules. The plan has been widely recognized as a foundational component of Halifax’s contemporary urban development approach, enabling downtown revitalization and accommodating population growth.
Fillmore later served as:
- Director of the School of Planning at Dalhousie University, contributing to the education and mentorship of future planners
- Vice President, Planning & Development at the Waterfront Development Corporation, overseeing major waterfront revitalization projects and strategic land use planning
In recognition of his contributions to urban planning and city-building, Fillmore received the National Urban Leadership Award from the Canadian Urban Institute, highlighting his impact on Halifax’s development and leadership within the field.
Fillmore was elected as the Member of Parliament for Halifax in 2015, marking a transition from professional city-building to federal public service. He was subsequently re-elected twice and served in Parliament until 2024.
During his time in the House of Commons, Fillmore held several senior roles, including:
- Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Democratic Institutions (2017–2018)
- Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism (2018–2019)
- Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities (2019–2024)
In these roles, he contributed to national policy development and implementation across democratic reform, cultural policy, and major infrastructure investment - aligning closely with his professional expertise in planning and urban development.
He also served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs, overseeing committee studies and supporting parliamentary review of legislation and policy affecting Indigenous communities.
Fillmore has been noted as the first professional city planner elected to Canada’s House of Commons, bringing technical expertise in urban planning and design into federal decision-making.
Across his parliamentary career, his work focused on infrastructure investment, housing supply, public transit and mobility, and economic development, including defence-related industries.
In 2024, Fillmore announced his candidacy for Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality, positioning his campaign around housing, affordability, mobility, and infrastructure readiness.
He was elected Mayor in October 2024, receiving approximately 42% of the vote in a multi-candidate field, and was sworn into office on November 5, 2024 - marking the municipality’s first mayoral transition in 12 years.
As Mayor, Fillmore serves as the head of Regional Council and the chief elected official of the municipality, providing leadership on governance, policy direction, and regional priorities.
His work focuses on accelerating housing supply, improving mobility, and ensuring municipal infrastructure and services can keep pace with rapid population and economic growth.
Fillmore was selected for the ninth cohort of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, a global program supporting mayors in tackling complex urban challenges and strengthening municipal governance.
His approach reflects a continuation of his professional background, emphasizing data-driven decision-making, coordinated planning, and alignment between growth and infrastructure investment.
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