Michael Savage (politician)

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

• Canadian
• British ^[2]

His Honour the Honourable Michael Savage ONS
Official portrait of Savage (2024)
34th Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia
Incumbent
Assumed office December 12, 2024
Political party	Independent
Other political affiliations	Liberal (until 2012)
Parent	John Savage (father)
Residence(s)	Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Education	Bachelor of Arts (History)
Alma mater	Dalhousie University
Profession	Politician consultant

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

Michael 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. ^[3] 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. ^[4] He grew up in Dartmouth, graduating from Prince Andrew High School ^[5] and later Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Arts in history. ^[3] His father John was the 23rd premier of Nova Scotia from 1993 to 1997. ^[6]

Career

Early career

Prior to being elected, Savage was active in the business community in Halifax. He has worked as a general manager for S. Cunard & Co., a director for Nova Scotia Power, as well as vice president at Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette and M5 Communications. ^[7]

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. ^[8] 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. ^[9]

Political career

Member of Parliament

Savage began his career in politics when he ran in the riding of Dartmouth in the 1997 federal election. ^[10] He finished second behind Wendy Lill of the New Democratic Party (NDP). ^[11]

Savage was elected Member of Parliament for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour in June 2004, ^[12] 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. ^[5]

On December 4, 2006, it was reported that Savage was considering a run for the leadership of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party. ^[13] On December 19, Savage announced that he would not seek the leadership. ^[14]

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. ^[15] 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." ^[15]

Mayor of Halifax

On February 6, 2012, Savage announced that he would run for Mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality in that year's municipal elections. ^[16] On October 20, 2012, Savage was elected Mayor of Halifax. ^[17] He was re-elected in the 2016 election ^[18] and 2020 election. ^[19]

During his time as Mayor, Savage supported a Canadian Football League (CFL) team coming to Halifax and construction of a corresponding stadium. ^[20] 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." ^[21] 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. ^[21]

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. ^[22]

On February 13, 2024, Savage announced that he would not be running in the municipal elections later that year. ^[23]

Lieutenant governor

External videos
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

On October 13, 2024, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Savage would be the next lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia, replacing Arthur LeBlanc. ^[24] He was sworn in on December 13, 2024, ^[25] and delivered his first throne speech when a new session of the legislature opened on February 14, 2025. ^[26]

Personal life

Savage is married to his wife, Darlene Savage; they have two children. ^[27] 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. ^[28]

Honours

Ribbon	Description	Notes
	Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal	2012 [29]
	Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal	2022 [30]
	King Charles III Coronation Medal	2024 [9]
	Order of Nova Scotia	2024 [31]
	Knight of the Order of Saint John	2024 [9]

Electoral record

Municipal

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 [32]

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 [33]

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 [34]

Federal

v t e 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: [35] [36]

v t e 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

v t e 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

v t e 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.

v t e 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

Citations

1. The Chronicle Herald 2012.
2. CBC News 2006.
3. The Canadian Encyclopedia 2023.
4. The Chronicle Herald (2015); The Canadian Encyclopedia (2023).
5. Halifax Regional Municipality 2024.
6. Global News (2024); The Canadian Encyclopedia (2023).
7. International Observatory of Mayors 2025.
8. Morgan 2024.
9. Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia 2025a.
10. The Chronicle Herald 1997a.
11. The Chronicle Herald 1997b.
12. The Chronicle Herald 2004.
13. CTV News 2006.
14. CBC News 2006b.
15. CBC News 2011.
16. CBC News 2012.
17. The Globe and Mail 2012.
18. CBC News 2016.
19. CBC News 2020.
20. The Toronto Star 2014.
21. Barnes 2022.
22. Whitehorse Daily Star 2023.
23. CBC News 2024.
24. Prime Minister of Canada 2024; CBC News 2024b.
25. Government of Nova Scotia 2024; The Toronto Star 2024.
26. Campbell 2025; Government of Nova Scotia 2025.
27. Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia (2025c); The Canadian Encyclopedia (2023).
28. CBC News 2014.
29. Governor General of Canada 2025.
30. Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia 2025b.
31. Government of Nova Scotia 2025b.
32. Halifax Regional Municipality 2020.
33. Halifax Regional Municipality 2016.
34. Halifax Regional Municipality 2012.
35. Elections Canada – Official voting results, Forty-first general election, 2011
36. Elections Canada – Candidate's electoral campaign return, 41st general election

Sources

• Tattrie, Jon; Block, Niko (August 25, 2023) [March 21, 2017]. "Mike Savage". The Canadian Encyclopedia . Historica Canada. Archived from the original on May 21, 2025. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
• "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.
• "Dion among a dozen MPs with dual citizenships". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. December 8, 2006. Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
• "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.
• "Former Halifax mayor Mike Savage installed as Nova Scotia's lieutenant-governor". Global News . The Canadian Press. December 13, 2024. Archived from the original on January 24, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
• "Mike Savage". International Observatory of Mayors. Archived from the original on January 15, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
• Morgan, Rachel (October 13, 2024). "Halifax Mayor Mike Savage appointed as new Lieutenant Governor of N.S." CityNews . Rogers Media . Retrieved March 11, 2025.
• "His Honour's Biography". lt.gov.ns.ca. Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. 2025. Archived from the original on March 12, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
• "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.
• "Happy ending for Dartmouth playwright". The Chronicle Herald. June 3, 1997. Archived from the original on May 22, 2001. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
• "Savage name is back". The Chronicle Herald . June 29, 2004. Archived from the original on September 13, 2005. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
• "About The Mayor". Halifax Regional Municipality. Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
• "Liberal MP Savage considers N.S. leadership run". CTV News . December 4, 2006. Archived from the original on December 6, 2006. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
• "Savage rules out Liberal leadership run". CBC News. December 19, 2006. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
• "Chisholm wins Dartmouth-Cole Harbour". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. May 2, 2011. Archived from the original on January 9, 2025. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
• "Mike Savage announces mayoral run". CBC News . Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. February 6, 2012. Archived from the original on January 9, 2025. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
• "Former Liberal MP Mike Savage wins mayoralty in Halifax" . The Globe and Mail . October 20, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
• "Mike Savage re-elected mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality". CBC News . Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. October 15, 2016. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
• "Record number of female councillors elected in HRM, Mike Savage returned as mayor". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. October 17, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
• "Halifax Seeks CFL". The Toronto Star . Toronto, ON. February 11, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
• Barnes, Dan (June 16, 2022). "Don't expect Halifax CFL franchise any time soon". Edmonton Journal . Edmonton, AB. Retrieved May 21, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
• "Cities call for infrastructure funding to build homes, fiscal update sparks dismay". Whitehorse Daily Star . Whitehorse, YT. The Canadian Press. November 24, 2023. Retrieved May 21, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
• "The privilege of my life': Mike Savage won't run for another term as Halifax mayor". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. February 13, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
• "Prime Minister announces new Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia". Prime Minister of Canada. October 11, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
• "Mike Savage named Nova Scotia's next lieutenant-governor". CBC News . Nova Scotia: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. October 13, 2024. Archived from the original on May 12, 2025. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
• "Lieutenant-Governor Installation Ceremony". news.novascotia.ca. Government of Nova Scotia. December 13, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
• "Former Halifax mayor Mike Savage installed as Nova Scotia's lieutenant-governor". Toronto Star . Halifax, NS. The Canadian Press. December 13, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
• Campbell, Francis (February 14, 2025). "N.S. government pushes resource development in throne speech". The Chronicle Herald . Halifax, NS: Postmedia Network . Retrieved May 21, 2025.
• "Speech from the Throne - February 14, 2025". news.novascotia.ca. Government of Nova Scotia. February 14, 2025. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
• "Recipients: Michael Savage". gg.ca. Governor General of Canada. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
• "Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal Final Register of Recipients" (PDF). lt.gov.ns.ca. Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
• "Order of Nova Scotia Award Recipients". open.canada.ca. Government of Nova Scotia. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
• "Official Candidates - 2020 Municipal and CSAP Elections" (PDF). Halifax Regional Municipality. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
• "Results Summary for All Matters as Voted Upon for the 2016 Municipal and School Board Elections" (PDF). cdn.halifax.ca. Halifax Regional Municipality. October 20, 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
• "Municipal Elections Result Recap" (PDF). cdn.halifax.ca. Halifax Regional Municipality. October 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 14, 2025. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
• Ross, Selena (December 14, 2014). "Halifax Mayor Mike Savage looks back on his favourite gift". CBC News . Nova Scotia: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved May 21, 2025.
• "Her Honour Ms. Darlene (Killen) Savage". 2025. Retrieved May 21, 2025.

Further reading

Articles

• Tattrie, Jon (October 17, 2020). "Mike Savage can wear a dress, dance and sing. That's why he wants to be mayor". CBC News (Interview). Nova Scotia: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
• Dostal, Alix (August 28, 2012). "Alumni Spotlight: Mike Savage". The Dalhousie Gazette (Interview). Halifax, NS: Dalhousie University.
• "Mike Savage". The Canadian Who's Who . Grey House Publishing. 2025. ISBN   978-1-6370-0922-2.

Audio and video

• Mayor Savage's inaugural State of the City address. Halifax Chamber of Commerce (Video). Halifax, NS: Halifax Regional Municipality. January 16, 2013 – via YouTube.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Halifax Mayor Mike Savage. Cable Public Affairs Channel (Video). Halifax, NS: Rogers Communications. July 17, 2023 – via YouTube.
• Taplin, Jen (interviewer) (January 3, 2024). Year end interview with HRM Mayor Mike Savage. The Chronicle Herald (Video). Halifax, NS: SaltWire – via YouTube.
• Smith, Amy (interviewer) (October 4, 2024). Mike Savage's tenure as Halifax mayor winding down. CBC News (Video). Nova Scotia: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation – via YouTube.
• Brothers, Paul (interviewer) (October 17, 2024). Exit interview with Mayor Mike Savage. Global News (Video). Halifax, NS: Corus Entertainment – via GlobalNews.ca.
• Brothers, Paul (interviewer) (December 19, 2024). Mike Savage gives first interview as Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia. Global News (Video). Halifax, NS: Corus Entertainment – via GlobalNews.ca.

External links

• Media related to Michael Savage (politician) at Wikimedia Commons
• Michael Savage – Parliament of Canada biography

Order of precedence
Preceded by Charles III, King of Canada	Order of precedence in Nova Scotia as of 2025	Succeeded by Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia