District 5 Councillor Sam Austin was elected today by his fellow Councillors to serve for the next year as Deputy Mayor for the Halifax Regional Municipality.

The new Deputy Mayor takes over from Deputy Mayor Pam Lovelace, who held the position for the past 12 months.

“I’m honoured to be taking on the role of Deputy Mayor and I’m thankful for the trust that my colleagues have placed in me,” Deputy Mayor Austin said. “I’m looking forward to supporting Mayor Savage and senior municipal leadership in my new role as we deliver on the important work of the municipality. I look forward to working with everyone to help create a better Halifax Regional Municipality.”

A longtime resident of Downtown Dartmouth, Deputy Mayor Austin is passionate about investing in a safe and mobile community, fostering smart growth, protecting Dartmouth’s natural assets and recreation opportunities, and supporting arts and culture. 

Deputy Mayor Austin was re-elected for a second term on Regional Council as the Councillor for Dartmouth Centre in the 2020 municipal election. Prior to being elected for his first term in the 2016 municipal election, Austin had a successful career in Planning at Public Works and Government Services Canada and was a leader in the community, founding the Tulips on Tulip Street initiative and organizing Jane’s Walk Halifax.

Austin has also served as a board member with the Planning and Design Centre and The Dartmouth Heritage Museum Society. He has a master’s degree in Urban Planning from Dalhousie University and a master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Calgary. 

Deputy Mayor Austin and his wife Michelle are proud parents to two young daughters, Jana and Marilla.

For more information on Regional Council, visit halifax.ca/city-hall.  

Source: Release