Pam Mood announces intention to seek federal Liberal nomination
Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood has announced she will seek the federal Liberal nomination for the riding of West Nova.
In a media release sent out Sunday evening, Dec. 9, Mood said she will bring to Ottawa the same “positive and solution-focused approach she has used for the last six years as mayor of the Town of Yarmouth.”
If she is to become the Liberal candidate, Mood would take a leave of absence from her position as mayor when the federal election campaign begins next fall. The next federal election is set for October 2019.
The next municipal election in Nova Scotia is set for October 2020.
“We face many challenges, but I firmly believe we have the talent, resources and initiative for the area to flourish and its people to prosper,” said Mood in the media release announcing her intention to seek the nomination. “I have worked with both provincial and federal governments, as well as with individuals and communities from Kings County to Argyle, on issues related to economic development, governance and sustainability.
“I want to put this experience to work and make sure our vision for West Nova is heard and understood by the federal government,” she said.
Mood was first elected mayor in 2012 and won re-election in 2016, largely outpacing her opponents by having received 2,010 votes compared to their 753 votes and 174 votes.
She said as mayor she has focused her efforts on guiding Yarmouth “out of a period or decline and into a period of revitalization and growth.”
When she ran for re-election in 2016, Mood said in an interview with the Tri-County Vanguard that if the biggest accusation anyone can say about her is that she’s been too positive and been a cheerleader for her town, she’d take that. When asked then what she saw as her biggest accomplishments as mayor over the previous four years, a shift in attitude topped her list.
This included focusing on positives instead of always on the negatives, she said. Going from a place that often had its hand out looking for help to a place prepared to step up confidently to get help and change things, she added.
During her first term as mayor, in 2013 she and council launched the All Hands on Deck initiative that saw nearly 500 people come together to brainstorm and develop practical, community-led solutions to some of the issues facing the region, primarily in the absence of international ferry service, which had caused an economic blow to the region.
“I believe in giving people a voice, and empowering and supporting communities to find their own solutions,” Mood said in the media release. “I am ready to bring some home-grown and local ideas to Ottawa and work hard for our entire region.”
Over the past year there have been split opinions by the public over decisions being made by Yarmouth town council, including the issue of a new arts centre and outsourcing fire dispatch services.
Mood has a BA in political science from Acadia University. She joined the RCMP as a civilian member and trained in Regina for her position with the Drug Section. After 18 years with the RCMP, she opened her own company, Mood Consulting. Her media release notes she has delivered training and keynotes focusing on leadership, communications and community engagement.
Mood is vice-president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities and has been part of the team implementing recommendations of the Towns Task Force. She is chairwoman of the Western Regional Enterprise Network (WREN) Liaison and Oversight Committee and serves on the Rural Innovation Committee. As part of the Atlantic Canada Mayors Congress, Mood has partnered with municipal representatives to advocate federally for investment and positive change across the region.
Colin Fraser, who has served as the Liberal MP for West Nova since the last federal election, has indicated he will not be reoffering.
“I want to thank MP Colin Fraser for his service, and for being a fair and effective representative for West Nova,” said Mood. “I look forward to forming new partnerships and engaging people in meaningful conversations about what we need here in West Nova, and getting the job done.”
In addition to Mood, Clare resident Jason Deveau has also announced his intention to seek the Liberal nomination for the West Nova riding.