John Savage has lived on the Ottawa River and, in four major floods from 2017 to 2026, directly in it. A Métis library and information‑science consultant, historian, and waterfront community advocate, his work sits at the intersection of democratic engagement, climate resilience, and equitable access to information.
With more than thirty years of experience across media, public policy, economic development, and Indigenous issues, Mr.Savage has advanced innovative national strategies for public‑library–hosted community media as a means to strengthen media literacy, democratic participation, and cultural sovereignty. He serves as President of the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (2022–2024) and represents the Ontario Library Association at the Canadian Radio‑television and Telecommunications Commission, promoting a future broadcasting system in which public libraries play a central role in community access to trusted information.
Repeated flooding along the Ottawa River has shaped Mr. Savage’s expertise in flood preparedness, emergency response, and survivor‑centred community engagement. He has witnessed firsthand the complex interplay between residents, businesses, media, and government during disasters, and argues that flood survivors are essential knowledge‑holders in shaping effective policy. In 2023, he organized community consultations to document survivors’ needs and priorities, sharing the findings with media and elected officials to push for more responsive waterfront management.
At the Victoria Forum, Mr. Savage hopes to highlight the lived realities of flood‑impacted communities and to encourage media to adopt survivor‑centric journalism that helps governments identify problems and co‑create solutions with those at risk. He advocates for emergency‑preparedness approaches that integrate lived experience, strengthen democratic dialogue, and build resilience in the face of accelerating climate‑driven disasters.