Dartmouth—Cole Harbour

Dartmouth—Cole Harbour is an urban-suburban riding on the eastern side of Halifax Harbour, covering approximately 90 square kilometres within Halifax Regional Municipality. It includes the communities of Dartmouth, Cole Harbour, Woodside, and Imperoyal, as well as the Cole Harbour 30 Indian Reserve. The riding had a population of approximately 96,200 in the 2021 census.

Candidates

Darren Fisher (Liberal) was the incumbent, first elected in 2015. Born in 1965, Fisher was a small business owner and active community volunteer before entering politics, inspired in part by his grandmother Gloria Fisher, a trailblazing local woman entrepreneur. He served on Halifax Regional Council from 2009 to 2015 before winning the federal seat. During his time in Parliament, Fisher served as parliamentary secretary to the minister of health and later to the minister of economic development and official languages.

Kevin Payne (NDP) was a dedicated activist, volunteer, and small business owner with a professional background in the skilled trades and medical technical services. Originally from London, Ontario, Payne lived in Alberta and British Columbia before settling in Nova Scotia in 2011. He campaigned on the challenges facing workers and local businesses in the riding.

Michelle Lindsay (PPC) ran as the People’s Party of Canada candidate. Notably, the Conservative Party did not field a candidate in Dartmouth—Cole Harbour in 2021, as their nominee withdrew shortly before the registration deadline.

Rana Zaman (Green Party) had lived in the riding for nearly 37 years and was a well-known community volunteer. Originally from Pakistan, Zaman was a Muslim woman of colour who ran on a platform emphasizing climate action and social justice.

About the Riding

Dartmouth—Cole Harbour is a densely populated riding that reflects the suburban character of Halifax’s eastern shore. Dartmouth, historically known as the “City of Lakes,” features a mix of older urban neighbourhoods, postwar suburbs, and newer residential developments. Cole Harbour, further south, is a largely residential community that grew rapidly from the 1970s onward. The riding is home to the Dartmouth Crossing shopping complex, one of the largest retail developments in Atlantic Canada, and the Woodside Ferry Terminal, which connects Dartmouth to downtown Halifax.

The riding’s economy is driven by retail, healthcare, education, and public administration. The Dartmouth General Hospital is a major employer, and the IWK Health Centre and Dalhousie University are accessible across the harbour. According to the 2021 census, the median individual income was $42,400 and the average income was $50,560. The riding’s demographics include 82.4 percent white, 5.5 percent Black, 4.3 percent Indigenous, and 3.0 percent South Asian residents.

Housing affordability was a major issue in 2021, as Halifax Regional Municipality experienced a surge in housing costs. Healthcare access, including family doctor shortages and mental health services, also ranked high among voter concerns. The riding has a strong connection to the military through nearby CFB Shearwater, and veterans’ issues were a recurring campaign topic. Cole Harbour is notable as the hometown of NHL star Sidney Crosby, and the area’s recreational infrastructure—including Cole Harbour Place and the Salt Marsh Trail—is an important part of community life.