OTTAWA – Halifax Mayor Mike Savage was elected by his peers as the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Chair of the Big City Mayors’ Caucus (BCMC) on Monday. He will succeed Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, who held the position between 2016 and 2021.
“It is an honour to be named as next Chair of FCM’s Big City Mayors’ Caucus, and I am well aware of the responsibility that comes with it,” said Mayor Savage. “The past months have been challenging for our cities but much has been accomplished. We have worked hard to keep our citizens safe in the face of these unprecedented pressures. Now as we look to a post-Covid recovery this caucus – the cities that represent the economic engine of Canada – knows the work ahead of us. We will continue to engage and collaborate with our federal partners to ensure that our recovery is inclusive, strong and long lasting. Like my colleagues I am indebted to Mayor Don Iveson for his leadership and incredible work on behalf of all Canadians.”
Now in his third term as Mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality, Mayor Savage was first elected on October 20, 2012. Since his election, Mayor Savage has been an active member of FCM’s Big City Mayors’ Caucus and a strong local and national voice on issues such as local economic development, social equity, investment in transit and in infrastructure. Mayor Savage will formally be installed as Chair following the FCM Annual General Meeting on June 4th.
“Mayor Iveson’s leadership has helped catapult local government to a more central role as key partners in nation-building,” said Carole Saab, CEO of FCM. “His commitment to the vision of FCM and deft representation of our caucus, has contributed to the creation of the National Housing Strategy, a permanent transit fund, major infrastructure investments – and ultimately, better lives for Canadians. I want to sincerely thank him for his work as chair. He has helped us build a strong, united, and demonstrably effective caucus, and with Mayor Savage at the helm we will continue to reinforce our collaboration with our federal partners on issues that matter to cities and the Canadians that live in them.”
The caucus also elected two vice-chairs: Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montréal, and Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon.
For more information: FCM Media Relations, (613) 907-6395, media@fcm.ca