The race for the mayor's seat heated up today in Halifax as former Liberal MP Mike Savage threw his hat in the ring, ending months of speculation.
Savage officially launched his candidacy for mayor at a news conference at Dartmouth's Alderney Landing around noon on Monday.
Rumours have been circulating for months that Savage would announce his intention to run and CTV News reported last week that he had already leased commercial space in Dartmouth for his campaign.
CTV also discovered that Savage sought support from both Liberal and NDP members and NDP workers were actively involved in his campaign.
That became evident today as former longtime MLA and NDP leader Alexa McDonough threw her support behind Savage's candidacy.
"Welcome folks to the dawning of a new day in our great city," she said Monday. "He (Savage) has literally had hundreds of conversations with people about their hopes and dreams for this community."
Savage drew loud cheers and rounds of applause as he took the stage to announce his bid.
He spoke of his commitment to making Halifax a more transparent, more inclusive community and cited the urgent need for positive leadership.
"We can be a municipality where all voices are heard from one end of the municipality to the other," he said. "We can be the most inclusive municipality in Canada."
Savage said he is committed to fair taxes, safe streets and development that both respects the heritage of Halifax and also promotes environmental awareness.
He also spoke of the need for a safe and healthy community with more accessible and affordable transit options and better security and accessibility for seniors.
"There is nothing more important than the health of our community and I want to be a part of making that greater," said Savage. "I think we live in one of the greatest places on earth, there is no place I would rather live, but living in a great place is no excuse for becoming complacent."
Savage did acknowledge the efforts of incumbent Mayor Peter Kelly over the past 12 years, but he also spoke of the need for change.
"Allow me to pause and acknowledge the hard work and commitment Mayor Peter Kelly has made to the people of Halifax, and I mean that sincerely," he said. "But I also mean sincerely that it's time for something different in Halifax."
"We need a mayor of clarity and conviction. I believe I can be that mayor."
Savage says he plans to travel throughout the municipality and talk to constituents in different communities to gauge their points of view and vision for HRM.
"I want everyone in Halifax Regional Municipality to feel part of this community," he said. "From Ecum Secum to Sambro, from Eastern Passage to Elmsdale, from Dutch Village Road to Dutch Settlement, every citizen has a right to be heard and have input into their future."
Savage is the son of the late John Savage, a former Nova Scotia premier. He lost his Halifax riding of Dartmouth-Cole Harbour to Robert Chisholm of the NDP in last year's federal election.
Savage had held the riding since 2004.
He is the fifth candidate to declare their candidacy for the mayor's job. Other candidates include prominent north end businessman Fred Connors, former Halifax police officer Tom Martin, taxi driver David Boyd and Dalhousie University student Matt Worona.
Kelly has served as mayor since 2000, when he defeated Walter Fitzgerald. He was re-elected in 2004 and again in 2008.
Kelly has not officially announced his bid for mayor but has said he plans to run again in this year's election, which is set for Oct. 20.
