Welcome to my official Blog

Welcome to my official Blog
Mayor of Halifax - Mike Savage

Friday 11 April 2014

Thoughts on the passing of Jim Flaherty


Jim Flaherty passed away yesterday afternoon. I heard the news as I came out of a committee meeting at City Hall. It was shocking, and I felt very sad.

I could hardly call him a friend, but like most MPs on the Hill I liked Jim. He was engaging and friendly, and felt he wanted the best for his country.

On many occasions I disagreed with Jim and with a good number of policies he and his government implemented. While our views of government were very different,  I think our view of the world was more similiar.

Jim was clearly an emotional man who cared deeply about life's most important things. He was a private man who worked hard to shield his family, particularly his kids, from the intrusions of public life and I admire that.

But his emotions escaped on occasion. When he announced the Disability Savings Plan, he was brought to tears as he spoke of its importance. One of his boys has a mental disability and it mattered to him. I remember watching the press event where he struggled to maintain a calm demeanor.

We saw that emotional side again when he was asked about Mayor Rob Ford, a family friend. One didn't have to be a Ford fan to admire the loyalty and concern that the Finance Minister had for his pal.

The thing is, these things should matter. So often our politics is a politics of artifice, of faux emotion, false indignation and staged spontaneity. Questions are practiced, talking points are followed and politicians are more props than real people.

Jim Flaherty was different. We saw that recently when the counter-productive proposal of income splitting was questioned by him ( and most economists). It was repudiated by colleagues as unhelpful postulation, but I think it was simply how he felt.

To me, the saddest part of his passing was that it happened as he was making the transition from political life to post-political life. Those of us who run for public office should not complain about the burdens that come with the honour of being elected. But it can be a very demanding job that can exact a heavy personal toll.

I am often asked for advice on how to get into politics; a better question might be how to get out. People who give great consideration to the decision to enter politics are often ill unprepared for their exit. Often the end comes suddenly, and is jarring. I know, it happened to me, as it happens to most.

As a case study look at the Premiers of Nova Scotia over the past half century. Gerry Regan was defeated in 1978. John Buchannan was pulled to the Senate at a low ebb of popularity. His successor Donald Cameron was defeated by my father John Savage. My father resigned because he felt another leader had a better shot at success. That leader, Russ MacLellan was defeated by Dr. John Hamm who was reduced to a minority before resigning. Rodney MacDonald was defeated by Darrell Dexter who was defeated by Stephen McNeil. Each of these people with the possible exception of Dr. Hamm left politics with less leverage than they entered. It is a harsh business.

This is why it is wonderful to see politicians who make a decision to leave on their own terms. Frank McKenna had it right. He said he would be Premier for 10 years, and he was. In 2006 he was under great pressure to re-enter politics and succeed Paul Martin as national Leader of the Liberal Party. When he announced he was staying out he uttered a line that went something like..."after successfully escaping the trap, I don't want to get caught going back for the cheese."

It seemed that Jim Flaherty had done it right as well. He had served his time, and he was leaving public life (perhaps to support his wife Christine, another public officeholder). Whatever anyone thought of his tenure, he had been a faithful leader. He had served his province and his country. He could look forward to a more stable life, a private life with his sons, a lucrative private sector career. But we never know what's next.

I disliked many of the things he did, but I liked the man. He was a happy warrior, who enjoyed the cut and thrust, but always had a smile even in the midst of the battle. Jim liked politics, and he liked people. He could look back at his day and laugh, and keep moving. He seemed to be an optimist, and he had wit. We need more of that in today's politics, and now we have less.

Jim Flaherty and his family are in my prayers. I am saddened.

Friday 4 April 2014

We balanced the budget: Now what?



This week we passed a balanced budget in Halifax that continues to pay down debt and deliver a high level of services and programs while rolling back property tax rates. It was also the second year in a row that Council unanimously approved the budget.

That doesn't mean that everyone was 100 percent happy with what is included or omitted. But it means that Council participated throughout the process, made suggestions and recommendations, and recognized the integrity of the budget-making journey that made them comfortable. 

I am very proud of that. For the second consecutive year we had a disciplined, rigorous process the included wide participation from Councillors. Last year we did it through Finance committee, this year through Committee of the Whole and in both cases we began in early January and wrapped up in late March. Senior staff presented their departmental budgets with supporting rationale and took questions from Council. We also added a public component this year whereby citizens could express their views online, at Community Council and at Committee of the whole. 

We made budget documents available to citizens, and we made some videos to help people better understand our budget. All in all it was a process that worked and Councillor Bill Karsten chaired the meetings throughout and did an excellent job.

Our staff, led by CAO Richard Butts and CFO Greg Keefe, deserve credit for their diligence and openness in working with Council to produce a very prudent budget. In recent years while many people have been skeptical of how government operates, our staff and council have made remarkable strides in opening up information and shedding additional light on our city finances.

So we received some congratulations on our budget which is nice. But I am left with a couple of thoughts.

As much as I think our financial situation is the dividend of good planning and common sense, we are in a privileged position relative to most other municipalities in Nova Scotia. We have a strong economic base, and continue to benefit from growth. We have strong sectors, and some very positive developments coming our way.

Ray Ivany pointed out the challenge facing Nova Scotia and the necessity of everyone playing a role in our economic recovery. I want Halifax to be part of that positive direction, and I have personally committed to working with the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities and other partners. The answer is not to diminish the strength of Halifax but to leverage it as the major economic engine of the Nova Scotia economy.

The surest way to do it is to focus on innovation and bring more people to the province. Last year our city became involved in a Local Immigration Partnership for the first time and I see this as an opportunity to work collectively to bring people to NS.

We reduced tax rates for both residential and commercial taxpayers. We did this for one reason.....we could. But I am not of the belief that all taxes are bad, and should be eliminated or reduced.

I am very pleased that we as a city have been able to hold the line on municipal tax, but at the same time mindful that residents of our city are feeling the daily squeeze in other areas, water bills, power rates and the rising price of oil.  While governments should be prudent in how they spend money, we need to balance that prudence against the community benefits of doing more in some areas.

This year we are committing to invest more in the arts, providing better service to people with disabilities and committing funds to improve our downtown areas. These are all things I, and others, campaigned on -  areas where we can leverage private investment and build a better community.

I don't often use the term taxpayers, not out of any lack of respect for those who pay the bills, but because I was elected to represent all citizens, including taxpayers. Many citizens do not pay property tax directly, but do so indirectly through rent.  Others, due to age, or circumstance do not pay property tax and they are still members of our community and entitled to receive services from the municipality.

Indeed, the people who will most significantly impacted by the decision we make today are too young to vote or pay taxes. Others may be more likely to pay tax in the future if our economy thrives and success can be more widely shared. Our initiatives for diversity and inclusion may help make that happen.

And of course, I hope that many of our future taxpayers in Halifax have not yet even heard of our city. They are in many places in the world that we need to reach, with a message to come to Halifax. They will build new prosperity for themselves and our province.

So as we produce a 'good news' budget we should not lose sight of the big picture. It’s not just about celebrating holding the line on taxes today; it’s about building a Halifax for tomorrow that is better, more open and diverse. It’s about a Halifax that is part of one Nova Scotia where we can all celebrate our growth together.

Tuesday 1 April 2014

My hometowns


I have two home towns.

Dartmouth is my home. And I am proud of it. It is where I grew up, where I went to school, played sports, and where Darlene and I chose to raise our family.

I met Darlene in university, she was at Kings and I was at Dal. After school, we both moved away. She went to Moncton and I took a job with Procter and Gamble in Sudbury, Ontario. Eventually we came back to Dartmouth and we were married 27 years ago. I love Dartmouth and will always be a Dartmouth guy.

But I have another hometown. I was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where my roots run deep.

My mother was born and raised at 89 Eglington Ave., Belfast. She was the daughter of Bernard and Cecilia McCartan, and had five  sisters and a brother.  After school she attended Queens University, Belfast where she earned her teaching degree. It is also where she met John Patrick Savage, a medical student who played rugby at Queens and served as the President of the Students Representative Council.

His father was from County Down, just outside Belfast. My grandfather had also  earned his medical degree at Queens, and then moved to Wales where he and his wife had two children, John and Michael Savage (a barrister and my namesake ).

My older sister Shelagh was born in Aldershot, England. My sister Jane and I were born in Belfast, Philip and Patrick and Barney (named after Mom's father) were born in Wales and baby Brigid was born in Canada. All of us identify strongly with our Irish and Welsh heritage.

I have visited Ireland on a number of occasions. Darlene and I honeymooned there and have been back since. When my parents were dying most of our relatives came to visit, and it was important for us, particularly for my children who I hope will nurture that side of their heritage.

One of the wonderful touchstones of my parents’ illnesses was a prayer book that was introduced to us by our Irish relatives. The Glenstal Book of Prayer became an incredible source of comfort to us all as Mom and Dad lived through their challenging last months more than a decade ago. It was ancient Irish spirituality that brought grace and meaning to a difficult time. I think it reinforced the Irishness of the North American Savages.

I write this because I am headed to Belfast this week to be part of a technology conference. ( www.beltech2014.com). I was invited by the Lord Mayor of Belfast , Mairtin O Muilleoir, and the conference organizers to be part of the opening and part of a panel on how cities are fostering innovation.

I haven't met the Lord Mayor but we have exchanged letters and delegations. Last fall I met a delegation from Belfast who brought a letter from the Mayor expressing interest in forging a stronger relationship between two Titanic cities. (Belfast commemorated the anniversary of the Titanic in a big way in 2012 www.titanicbelfast.com). He also was pleased to recognize my birthplace, and some similarities in our background.

In addition to the conference we have arranged a number of meetings with local business leaders and university officials, and we’ll learn more about Belfast’s 90 million pound investment in the Titanic.

Belfast in a major international city that has weathered the troubles of sectarian violence. It is a beautiful city in a beautiful country that has been scarred by a troubled history.

The city’s Latin motto is 'pro tango quid retribaumus', which translates roughly to 'from those to whom much is give, much is expected'. My parents preached that philosophy, likely unaware of how closely it was connected to our former city.

I am very happy to return to Belfast, however briefly. I hope to see some relatives, and to see and touch parts of my early life and to reconnect to my past.

It is exciting to return to my original home town as the Mayor of my real home town. I will speak proudly of Halifax's accomplishments as an innovative city. In the short time I have been Mayor I have seen our city release data to our citizens, hold a “hackathon” to create new useful apps, open up our budget process, invest in new technology for our transit.

Last year I spoke at the Charitable Irish Society dinner about my connection to Ireland. It matters to me. It is part of me. Everyone should be so lucky to have two home towns.