Michael Savage (politician)

For other people with the same name, see Michael Savage (disambiguation).

His Worship
Michael Savage
Savage in 2016
Lieutenant Governor-designate of Nova Scotia
Assuming office
TBD
SucceedingArthur LeBlanc
3rd Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality
In office
November 6, 2012[1] – November 5, 2024
Preceded byPeter J. Kelly
Succeeded byAndy Fillmore
Member of Parliament
for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour
In office
June 28, 2004 – May 2, 2011
Preceded byWendy Lill
Succeeded byRobert Chisholm
Personal details
Born
Michael John Savage

(1960-05-13) May 13, 1960 (age 64)
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Nationality
  • Canadian
  • British
[2]
Political partyIndependent
Other political
affiliations		Liberal (until 2012)
Parent
Residence(s)Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Profession
  • Politician
  • consultant

Michael John Savage (born May 13, 1960) is a Canadian politician who was the mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality from 2012 [3] to 2024. He previously served as a Liberal Member of Parliament for the riding of Dartmouth—Cole Harbour from 2004 to 2011.

Biography

Savage was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and spent his early years in South Wales before moving to Canada at age six.[4] Savage is the son of former Nova Scotia premier John Savage. He grew up in Dartmouth, graduating from Prince Andrew High School and Dalhousie University.

Before being elected, Savage was active in the community. He is a past president of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia and was a member of the board of directors of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada from 1998 to 2003. He has also supported literacy through his involvement with the Dartmouth Book and Writing Awards and the Peter Gzowski Golf Tournament for Literacy.

Savage has most recently been involved with community organizations such as Junior Achievement, the Red Cross, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Alderney Landing, and is a former member of the Neptune Theatre Board. He was president of the Halifax Executive Association in 1995–1996 and is a member of the Metropolitan Halifax Chamber of Commerce.

Savage has also served as General Manager of S. Cunard & Co., a home and heating retailer in Nova Scotia, and later became the director, residential/general business marketing and sales for Nova Scotia Power.

In April 2002, he joined Ray & Berndtson as vice-president of business development and senior consultant.

On October 13, 2024, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he would be the next Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, replacing the Honourable Arthur LeBlanc.[1]

Political career

Savage's first attempt at elected politics was when he ran in the riding of Dartmouth in the 1997 election.[5] He finished second behind Wendy Lill of the New Democratic Party.[6]

Savage was elected Member of Parliament for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour in June 2004,[7] and was re-elected in 2006. He was the critic for Human Resources Development. He has served on the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health and was chair of the Liberal Caucus Committee on Post-Secondary Education and Research during the 38th Parliament. He was also the vice-chair of the standing committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

He has served as president of both federal and provincial organizations and has managed campaigns at both levels.

On December 4, 2006, it was reported that Savage was considering a run for the leadership of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.[8] On December 19, Savage announced that he would not seek the leadership.[9]

On May 2, 2011, Savage lost his federal seat to Robert Chisholm of the NDP.[10]

On February 6, 2012, Savage announced that he would run for Mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality in that year's municipal elections.[11] On October 20, 2012, Savage was elected Mayor of Halifax.[3] He was re-elected in the 2016 election[12] and 2020 election.[13]

On February 13, 2024, Savage announced that he would not be running in the municipal elections later that year.[14]

Electoral history

2011 Canadian federal election: Dartmouth—Cole Harbour
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Robert Chisholm 15,678 36.27 +4.73 $51,111.67
Liberal Michael Savage 15,181 35.12 -4.37 $70,147.67
Conservative Wanda Webber 10,702 24.76 +2.30 $51,126.57
Green Paul Shreenan 1,662 3.85 -2.11 $0.00
Total valid votes/expense limit 43,223 99.41   $83,954.73
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 255 0.59 -0.01
Turnout 43,478 61.45 +2.72
Eligible voters 70,756
New Democratic gain from Liberal Swing +4.55
Sources:[15][16]
2008 Canadian federal election: Dartmouth—Cole Harbour
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Michael Savage 16,016 39.49 -2.83 $63,901.48
New Democratic Brad Pye 12,793 31.55 -0.95 $56,900.80
Conservative Wanda Webber 9,109 22.46 -0.36 $64,746.58
Green Paul Shreenan 2,417 5.96 +3.69 $444.09
Christian Heritage George Campbell 219 0.54 – $351.78
Total valid votes/expense limit 40,554 100.0     $80,942
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 245 0.60 +0.23
Turnout 40,799 58.73 -3.71
Eligible voters 69,469
Liberal hold Swing -0.94
2006 Canadian federal election: Dartmouth—Cole Harbour
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Michael Savage 19,027 42.32 +0.25 $67,910.96
New Democratic Peter Mancini 14,612 32.50 ±0 $60,717.57
Conservative Robert A. Campbell 10,259 22.82 +1.72 $41,775.58
Green Elizabeth Perry 1,005 2.24 -0.92 $582.70
Marxist–Leninist Charles Spurr 56 0.12 -0.05 none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 44,959 100.0     $76,265
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 166 0.37 -0.07
Turnout 45,125 62.44 +0.51
Eligible voters 72,264
Liberal hold Swing +0.12
2004 Canadian federal election: Dartmouth—Cole Harbour
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Michael Savage 17,425 42.07 +8.18 $62,046.28
New Democratic Susan MacAlpine-Gillis 13,463 32.50 -2.82 $59,335.19
Conservative Michael L. MacDonald 8,739 21.10 -9.34 $54,707.19
Green Michael Marshall 1,311 3.16 – $200.00
Progressive Canadian Tracy Parsons 415 1.00 – $1,140.15
Marxist–Leninist Charles Spurr 70 0.17 – none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 41,423 100.0     $73,009
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 181 0.44
Turnout 41,604 61.93
Eligible voters 67,176
Liberal notional gain from New Democratic Swing +5.50
Changes from 2000 are based on redistributed results. Conservative Party change is based on the combination of Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative Party totals.
1997 Canadian federal election: Dartmouth—Cole Harbour
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic Wendy Lill 12,326 32.57 +25.48
Liberal Michael Savage 10,298 27.21 -23.60
Progressive Conservative Rob McCleave 10,183 26.91 +3.33
Reform John Cody 4,446 11.75 -3.87
Independent Cliff Williams 438 1.16 -0.63
Natural Law Claude Viau 156 0.41 -0.71
Total valid votes 37,847 100.00
Change for Independent candidate Cliff Williams is shown based on his results as a National Party candidate in 1993.

References

  1. ^ "Savage sworn in as mayor of HRM". The Chronicle Herald. November 6, 2012. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  2. ^ "Dion among a dozen MPs with dual citizenships". CBC News. December 8, 2006. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Former Liberal MP Mike Savage wins mayoralty in Halifax". The Globe and Mail. October 20, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
  4. ^ "Faith has major role in Halifax Mayor Mike Savage's life". The Chronicle Herald. April 9, 2015. Archived from the original on July 8, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  5. ^ "In politics, family ties don't always bind". The Chronicle Herald. May 19, 1997. Archived from the original on October 5, 2000. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  6. ^ "Happy ending for Dartmouth playwright". The Chronicle Herald. June 3, 1997. Archived from the original on May 22, 2001. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  7. ^ "Savage name is back". The Chronicle Herald. June 29, 2004. Archived from the original on September 13, 2005. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  8. ^ Liberal MP Savage considers N.S. leadership run Archived December 6, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "Savage rules out Liberal leadership run". CBC News. December 19, 2006. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
  10. ^ "Chisholm wins Dartmouth-Cole Harbour". CBC News. May 2, 2011. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
  11. ^ "Mike Savage announces mayoral run". CBC News. February 6, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
  12. ^ "Mike Savage re-elected mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality". CBC News. October 15, 2016. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
  13. ^ "Record number of female councillors elected in HRM, Mike Savage returned as mayor". CBC News. October 17, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  14. ^ "The privilege of my life': Mike Savage won't run for another term as Halifax mayor". CBC News. February 13, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  15. ^ Elections Canada – Official voting results, Forty-first general election, 2011
  16. ^ Elections Canada – Candidate's electoral campaign return, 41st general election