Mike Savage declined to comment on the municipality’s handling of the transit strike on Monday.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I could have a positive impact, or hope to have a positive impact on labour negotiations,” Savage told reporters.

“But the last thing Halifax needs right now is more short-term politics by (mayoral candidates) jumping on the transit strike.”

He did have some comments on the sale of St. Patrick’s-Alexandra school.

He called council’s handling of the issue a “black eye” on the municipality.

“There is an issue of leadership there, for certain,” Savage said.

“I met with some people who are involved in the North End Clinic, and one of the things that they told me is that they feel the developer, Joe Metlege, was as much of a victim of this as they were. So there’s a problem there, and if there’s a problem … we have to address it.”