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A day after Halifax Regional Municipality announced it was slashing 1,480 casual, seasonal and temporary staff positions, Mayor Mike Savage divulged that he has taken a 20-per-cent voluntary pay cut.

“This is something that I decided weeks ago,” the mayor said Thursday, adding that it was not directly related to the job-cut announcement.

“I emailed our HR director (weeks ago) and indicated that I would like to have my salary reduced by 20 per cent for the time being, until July 1, then we’ll re-evaluate and see where we are on COVID.”

The mayor’s annual salary in 2019-20 was $190,072.43, according to the municipality’s website.

Savage divulged his scale back in pay that took effect April 1 on the Rick Howe radio show.

“I didn’t want people to know about it,” the mayor said. “I haven’t told anybody, I was just asked a question directly and so I answered it. I am not trying to force anybody else into taking pay cuts. I know that councillors and other politicians are working very hard through this time and so I didn’t do it to make a point, I just did it because I thought it was appropriate. That’s it.”

Coun. David Hendsbee (Preston-Chezzetcook-Eastern Shore), said he would not be following the mayor's lead.

“I can’t afford to,” Hendsbee said. “Besides, I don’t have any ancillary income such as a Parliamentary pension like the mayor has to supplement his household income.

“In the past I have donated the equivalent of any pay raises to local charities in my district.”

For the 2019-20 fiscal year, 15 of the 16 councillors received an annual salary of $92,258. Coun. Lisa Blackburn (Middle and Upper Sackville-Beaver Bank) received the deputy mayor’s salary of $101,484.

Personal decision

Coun. Matt Whtiman (Hammonds Plains-St. Margarets), the only candidate thus far who has confirmed he will oppose Savage in the mayoral race coming up in October, sympathized with the 1,480 people out of a job.

“We are all feeling great empathy and compassion for them and others whose jobs and lives were impacted by COVID-19,” Whitman said.

“As councillors and the mayor consider how to demonstrate this empathy, I asked our lawyer and human resources director how we can effectively take a pay cut.”

Whitman said he was told an administrative order sets out compensation for elected officials.

“Giving money back to HRM is what was suggested if councillors want to take a pay cut,” he said. “This means you receive the full amount, are taxed and pensioned on it and then donate funds back to HRM by cheque or money transfer.”

Whitman said what each councillor does with their compensation is personal.

“Because the administrative order makes it not possible for me to take a pay cut, I will continue to directly donate to local charities with a percentage of my pay, as I've been doing for all of my professional career.”

Donating instead

Coun. Waye Mason (Halifax South-Downtown) said a pay cut among councillors is not something that has been discussed.

“Given the different personal situations and different stages of life, that is couples with kids at home, etc. through to retired and receiving a pension, I think this will remain more of a personal decision than an across-the-board policy choice,” Mason said.

Coun. Steve Adams (Spryfield-Sambro Loop-Prospect Road) said he was not considering a pay cut.

Coun Shawn Cleary (Halifax West-Armdale) said he’s sure the mayor’s heart is in the right place but even if all of council took a 10- to 20-per cent pay reduction, it wouldn’t even bring back a half dozen of the 1,480 positions impacted.

“It would be far more beneficial for our community for council and all Haligonians who can afford it to step up donations to groups that can provide targeted support to those who truly need it right now,” Cleary said, suggesting Feed Nova Scotia, local food banks and organizations that help the homeless and food insecure.

“That’s what my family is doing.”

Blackburn said she is doing whatever possible to help during the crisis and has had conversations with her husband about the best possible way for their family to help.

"I think it would be unfair to give a specific figure or percentage, recognizing that all of us on council have different circumstances and I don’t want to contribute to an atmosphere of competition," Blackburn said. "I’m also weighing whether a donation to a recognized local charity may be a better way to support our community now."

Coun. Lorelei Nicoll (Cole Harbour-Westphal) said there are many businesses and not-for-profits in her district hat could use her financial support during these challenging times.

"As I have always done in the past with regard to the ongoing discussion of councillors' pay, I responded in a private personal way by giving generously to organizations that I support such as the arts by donating to Neptune Theatre, to name one," Nicoll said. "I feel my personal donations to local organizations would be more impactful to them than a donation to HRM."

Coun. Tony Mancini (Harbourview-Burnside-Dartmouth East) said he appreciates the willingness of the mayor to give back to the community in this time of crisis.

"I feel fortunate that I am able to make a financial contribution to an organization in need right now and I will be contributing a portion of my salary to the Dartmouth North Community Food Centre," Mancini said. "There are many wonderful organizations that could use our help now. ... I believe during these difficult times any citizen of HRM that can help alleviate the hardship for others should do so. Many people are able to contribute in ways such as donating blood or helping a neighbour with errands, as examples."

Coun. Tim Outhit (Bedford-Wentworth) said he is considering giving up some of his pay.

“I am considering it and hope that politicians with other orders of government and private and public sector executives are also considering it,” Outhit said.

“We can’t take a cut, per se, but we can donate a portion of our salary back to HRM.”

Coun. Steve Streatch (Waverley-Fall River-Musquodoboit Valley) said he is considering doing something similar to what the mayor did but is confirming details about how it would work with staff.

"I may also consider donating an amount to some of the local district organizations that are in need, trying to help those in our communities, for example the food bank, United Way or Meals on Wheels," Streatch said. "I am sure councillors will be discussing the options over the next few days and may come up with a collective approach to do our part to share the burden of our residents."

Savage said he felt in his "own heart that everybody needs to feel a little bit of the pinch.”

"I make twice as much money as the councillors do and they are all pretty much full time and I don’t expect them to do the same thing,” Savage said. “That’s not what this was about for me."

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