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Mike Savage (politician)

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His Honour the Honourable
Mike Savage
ONS
Official portrait of Michael Savage in 2024
Official portrait of Savage (2024)
34th Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 13, 2024
MonarchCharles III
Governor GeneralMary Simon
PremierTim Houston
Preceded byArthur LeBlanc
3rd Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality
In office
November 6, 2012 – 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 65)
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Nationality
  • Canadian
  • British[1]
Political partyIndependent
Other political
affiliations		Liberal (until 2012)
Parent
Residence(s)Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
EducationBachelor of Arts (History)
Alma materDalhousie University
Profession
  • Politician
  • businessman
Signature

Michael John Savage ONS (born May 13, 1960) is a Canadian politician who is currently serving as the 34th lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia. The son of John Savage, he immigrated to Canada with his father from Belfast, Northern Ireland at the age of six. Michael Savage served three terms as a Liberal member of Parliament for the riding of Dartmouth—Cole Harbour from 2004 to 2011, before serving three terms as the mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality from 2012 to 2024. His appointment as lieutenant governor was announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in October 2024.

Early life and education

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Savage was born on May 13, 1960 in Belfast, Northern Ireland to parents Margaret and John Savage. He has six siblings; three brothers and three sisters.[2] Savage spent his early years in South Wales before immigrating to Canada with his parents at the age of six, when his family began living in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.[3] He grew up in Dartmouth, graduating from Prince Andrew High School[4] and later Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Arts in history.[2] His father John was the mayor of Dartmouth from 1985 to 1992, and the 23rd premier of Nova Scotia from 1993 to 1997.[5]

Career

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Early career

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After graduating from Dalhousie University, Savage spent the first two decades of his career working in business in Halifax. He worked as a general manager for S. Cunard & Co. from 1986 until 1997, when he became the sales and marketing director for Nova Scotia Power. Savage became vice-president of the corporate recruiting firm Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette in 2002.[2]

Savage has served as president of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, and was a member of the board of directors of the IWK.[6] He has been involved with community organizations such as the Red Cross, Literacy Nova Scotia, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, and the Neptune Theatre board.[7]

Political career

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Member of Parliament

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Savage began his career in politics when he ran in the riding of Dartmouth in the 1997 federal election.[8] He finished second behind Wendy Lill of the New Democratic Party (NDP).[9]

Savage was elected Member of Parliament for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour in June 2004.[10] He served on the committee which worked to enact the Civil Marriage Act in 2005, which legalized same-sex marriage across Canada.[2] He was re-elected in 2006 and 2008.[2]

On December 4, 2006, it was reported that Savage was considering a run for the leadership of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.[11] On December 19, Savage announced that he would not seek the leadership.[12]

On May 2, 2011, Savage was defeated in the federal election by Robert Chisholm of the NDP; his riding was the only one in Nova Scotia not to re-elect the incumbent candidate in that election.[13] Savage said at the time that he was proud of the work he had accomplished in Parliament, stating "in six weeks [of the campaign], no one told me I was a rotten person. But I understand how politics works, and you accept the judgment of the voters."[13] After losing his seat, Savage became the vice-president of the Halifax public relations company M5 Communications and worked again in the private sector before going on to run for Mayor of Halifax.[2]

Mayor of Halifax

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Savage at the 2023 Halifax International Security Conference during his time as mayor

On February 6, 2012, Savage announced that he would run for Mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality in that year's municipal elections.[14] Savage was elected Mayor of Halifax on October 20, 2012,[15] and sworn in on November 6.[16] He was re-elected in the 2016 election[17] and 2020 election.[18]

During his time as Mayor, Savage supported a Canadian Football League (CFL) team coming to Halifax and construction of a corresponding stadium.[19] By 2022 he was less optimistic about the prospects of a CFL team coming to Halifax, stating while there was interest from the CFL, getting a team in Halifax "just [isn't] going to happen the way we would have envisioned it five or six years ago."[20] Savage suggested that construction of a stadium as had been originally conceived was no longer seen as desirable, and instead if the CFL were to come to Halifax it would more likely be in the Downtown area.[20]

Savage has expressed a need for the federal government to provide more support to municipalities for housing. In 2023, as Mayor of Halifax and chair of the Big City Mayors' Caucus, he claimed that municipal governments were under significant financial pressure. Savage stated that although the federal government had accomplished a lot for Canadian cities, municipalities still required more support to meet goals for housing.[21]

On February 13, 2024, Savage announced that he would not be running for a fourth term as mayor in the municipal elections later that year. In a speech at Halifax City Hall, he said being mayor of Halifax was "the best job [he] ever had".[22] Savage discussed the improved relationship between the municipality and the Mi'kmaq community during his tenure, highlighting a key moment as council's decision to remove the statue of Edward Cornwallis.[22] He was succeeded as mayor by Andy Fillmore on November 5, 2024.[23]

Lieutenant governor

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External videos
video icon Former Halifax mayor Mike Savage is sworn in as Nova Scotia’s 34th lieutenant-governor (1:00 min), The Canadian Press. Retrieved May 21, 2025 – via YouTube
Further information: Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia

On October 13, 2024, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Savage would be the next lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia, replacing Arthur LeBlanc.[24] In preparation for the role, Savage held meetings with former lieutenant governors as well as former Governor General David Johnston.[25] He was sworn in on December 13, 2024,[26] and delivered his first throne speech[a] when a new session of the legislature opened on February 14, 2025.[28] As part of his role as lieutenant governor, Savage resides at Government House in Halifax and is responsible for conferring awards such as the Order of Nova Scotia and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.[29]

Personal life

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Savage is married to his wife, Darlene Savage; they have two children.[30] He met his wife during his second year of university at Dalhousie, and once remarked that the best gift he ever received was a pair of Frye boots gifted by her for their first Christmas together as a couple.[31]

Honours

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Viceregal styles of
Mike Savage
(2024–present)
Reference style
  • His Honour the Honourable
  • Son Honneur l'Honorable
Spoken style
  • Your Honour
  • Votre Honneur

Ribbon bars of Mike Savage


Ribbon Description Notes
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal
King Charles III Coronation Medal
Order of Nova Scotia
Knight of the Order of Saint John

Electoral record

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Municipal

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Main article: Halifax Regional Council
2020 Halifax mayoral election
Candidate Votes %
Mike Savage 102,735 80.16
Matt Whitman 13,497 10.53
Total 128,160 100
Registered voters/turnout 322,232 39.77
Source: Halifax Regional Municipality[35]
2016 Halifax mayoral election
Candidate Votes %
Mike Savage 62,096 68.38
Lil Macpherson 28,719 31.62
Total 90,815 100.00
Source: Halifax Regional Municipality[36]
2012 Halifax mayoral election
Candidate Votes %
Mike Savage 63,547 57.75
Tom Martin 21,912 19.91
Fred Connors 20,277 18.43
Other candidates 4304 3.91
Total 110,040 100.00
Source: Halifax Regional Municipality[37]

Federal

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Main article: Dartmouth—Cole Harbour
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 Mike 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
2008 Canadian federal election: Dartmouth—Cole Harbour
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Mike 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 Mike 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 Mike 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 Mike 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.

See also

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References

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Notes

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  1. ^ Throne speeches in Nova Scotia are written by the government and delivered by the Lieutenant Governor at the beginning of every new session of the legislature.[27]

Citations

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  1. ^ CBC News 2006.
  2. ^ a b c d e f The Canadian Encyclopedia 2023.
  3. ^ The Chronicle Herald (2015); The Canadian Encyclopedia (2023).
  4. ^ Halifax Regional Municipality 2024.
  5. ^ Global News (2024a); The Canadian Encyclopedia (2023).
  6. ^ Morgan (2024); The Canadian Encyclopedia (2023).
  7. ^ a b c Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia 2025a.
  8. ^ The Chronicle Herald 1997a.
  9. ^ The Chronicle Herald 1997b.
  10. ^ The Chronicle Herald 2004.
  11. ^ CTV News 2006a.
  12. ^ CBC News 2006b.
  13. ^ a b CBC News 2011.
  14. ^ CBC News 2012.
  15. ^ The Globe and Mail 2012.
  16. ^ The Chronicle Herald 2012.
  17. ^ CBC News 2016.
  18. ^ CBC News 2020.
  19. ^ The Toronto Star 2014.
  20. ^ a b Barnes 2022.
  21. ^ Whitehorse Daily Star 2023.
  22. ^ a b CBC News 2024a.
  23. ^ CBC News 2024c.
  24. ^ Prime Minister of Canada 2024; CBC News 2024b.
  25. ^ Global News 2024b.
  26. ^ Government of Nova Scotia 2024; The Toronto Star 2024.
  27. ^ Nova Scotia Legislature 2025.
  28. ^ Campbell 2025; Government of Nova Scotia 2025a.
  29. ^ Global News (2024b); Cape Breton Post (2025).
  30. ^ Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia (2025c); The Canadian Encyclopedia (2023).
  31. ^ CBC News 2014.
  32. ^ Governor General of Canada 2025.
  33. ^ Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia 2025b.
  34. ^ Government of Nova Scotia 2025b.
  35. ^ Halifax Regional Municipality 2020.
  36. ^ Halifax Regional Municipality 2016.
  37. ^ Halifax Regional Municipality 2012.

Works cited

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Further reading

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Articles

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Audio and video

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Michael Savage (politician).
Order of precedence
Preceded by Order of precedence in Nova Scotia
as of 2025 		Succeeded by
Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia
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