From Poker and Peelers to Public Policy

A: So, we're diving into this fascinating character in Halifax political history: a guy named David Boyd. We've got to start with his 2008 campaign for mayor. It was... really something else.

B: Okay, I'm hooked. 'Really something else' usually means controversial, especially for a city like Halifax. What was his platform?

A: Controversial is an understatement. His main platform points were simple: more casinos, more strip clubs. He even coined the phrase 'poker and peelers' as his campaign slogan.

B: Hold on—'poker and peelers'? For real? That was his actual platform for mayor?

A: Totally. His stated goal was to turn Halifax into the 'Sin City of the East.' He figured that by beefing up the adult entertainment scene, they could pull in more tourists, especially from the cruise ships docking right there.

B: That's a wild pitch for Halifax. Back then, I'm guessing they had, what... maybe one casino with short hours, and just a couple of strip clubs?

A: You got it. Halifax *did* have a casino, but it was running on reduced hours, and there was only one strip club. Boyd—who'd been a cab driver, a computer tech, even a tow truck driver—saw a huge missed opportunity. He was convinced these cruise ship passengers, right off the boat, were looking for a little more action.

B: So he spotted a niche. A very specific, very Vegas-style niche.

A: Exactly. So, after that... let's call it *unique*... Sin City campaign, fast forward to 2020. Boyd's back. This time, he's running for city council, not mayor, in District 2—which covers Preston, Chezzetcook, and the Eastern Shore.

B: Okay, so aiming a little lower this time. Did he stick with the 'poker and peelers' platform?

A: Not even close. This was a total 180. His 2020 platform was all about local issues: transportation, for example, pushing for taxi reform and getting real bus service out to Lawrencetown. He was talking about speeding, fixing roads... the kind of stuff you'd expect from a local council candidate.

B: Wow, that's a huge shift. What do you think was behind that change?

A: Well, he really leaned into his Mi'kmaq heritage, calling for more diversity on the council. He positioned himself as a voice for people who weren't being heard. And his campaign style was super modern for the time—tons of Facebook Live videos and TikTok. Just reaching out directly to voters.

B: So he's using social media, has a completely different message... What was he doing for work by then? Still driving a cab?

A: Yeah, he was. Still driving for Yellow Cab, but he'd also been a tour bus operator. So he had a real feel for what the community needed and how people got around. He went hard after the incumbent, calling them a 'career politician' who was out of touch with the district.

A: And that brings us to his most recent comeback. It's 2024, and David Boyd is back, running for mayor again. But this time... it's a whole new ball game, a complete departure from his 'poker and peelers' days. His platform was surprisingly mainstream, tackling some of the biggest problems the city was facing.

B: Wait, seriously? From 'Sin City' to serious policy proposals? What was he focused on this time?

A: Totally. He was focused on the homelessness crisis, pushing for a human rights-based approach—a huge shift. He talked about fixing the housing shortage by creating incentives for new construction, and overhauling public transit with things like Bus Rapid Transit and more electric buses.

B: That sounds like something a seasoned politician would run on. It's almost... unrecognizable from his 2008 campaign. How did people react? Did he have a real shot?

A: Well, in the end, Andy Fillmore won the election. But what's really remarkable is Boyd's persistence and the evolution of his message. He went from this fringe candidate pushing for strip clubs to a guy talking seriously about major urban issues. It shows a real dedication—or maybe just stubbornness—to be part of the conversation about the city's future, even as his own platform kept changing.