HRM is going to stop using a popular social media platform.

Halifax Council voted Tuesday to leave X, phasing out the use of it over a few months’ time and transition to another platform, Bluesky.

The vote was an overwhelming 16-1, with Councillor David Hendsbee the only staff member who voted to keep it.

“I don’t like censorship of any sort, and even though X from time to time may have some revolting opinions on there, I believe my stuff I like to post is not revolting at all,” said Hendsbee.

Hendsbee added that he would continue using it to reach more people with more residents currently on his X account, than Bluesky.

Meantime, supporting the decision was Councillor Sean Cleary.

“The owner of X has stated that Canada isn’t a real country and he’s working with the orange guy down south to literally destroy our economy. How would we support that,” said Cleary.

Cleary said what he wants is a platform that encourages dialogue with residents and to get feedback from groups, they normally wouldn’t.

The motion was brought forward in February by Councillor Laura White, stirring up a lengthy conversation among city staff.

White said she saw X “go downhill” over the years with a change in ownership watching it become “less informative” and “less useful”.

Twelve other councillors backed the motion in February, to get rid of X, requesting a report from the CAO on the matter.

The plan is to phase X out by July 15.