Liberal Party of Nova Scotia
Encyclopedia
The Liberal Party of Nova Scotia is a political party in Nova Scotia
, Canada
.
Reformers in Nova Scotia
who coalesced around Joseph Howe
demanding the institution of responsible government
. The Liberals (Reformers) formed several governments in the colony between 1848 and 1867.
The party split during the debate on Confederation, with Howe and most other Liberals forming an Anti-Confederation Party
, while supporters of confederation joined Tory Charles Tupper
's Confederation Party
. Howe, himself, initially opposed Confederation, but accepted it as a reality after initial attempts to scuttle it failed.
In 1868, Howe joined the pro-Confederation forces, serving for a time in the federal Cabinet
of Sir John A. Macdonald
.
The Anti-Confederation Party
took most of Nova Scotia's seats in the Canadian House of Commons
in 1867, as well as forming the government of the new province under William Annand
. The new, post-1867 Liberal Party was organised by Annand and his anti-Confederate forces, while the Conservative Party was organised by Tupper and supporters of Sir John A. Macdonald
's coalition in the province.
Prior to 1956, the Nova Scotia Liberal Party had ruled the province for 76 of its 89 years, most of that time with fewer than 5 opposition members. It had also ruled prior to confederation, and was responsible for bringing the first responsible government
to North America.
's reformation of the "Progressive Conservatives", and have successfully challenged the Liberals for control of the government. Recently, the Liberals have faltered in the province, and are currently the second-largest party in the Assembly with 12 seats to 31 for the New Democrats and 8 for the Progressive Conservatives. After the Nova Scotia Liberal Party's dismal performance in the 2006 election
(and failing to win his own seat), leader Francis MacKenzie
announced his resignation. He was succeeded by Stephen McNeil
. In the 2009 election, the Liberals moved out of third-party status and formed the official opposition once again.
The Nova Scotia Liberals are the provincial section of the federal Liberal Party of Canada
. The two parties have a shared membership, and Liberal Members of Parliament
often become Liberal Members of the Legislative Assembly
, and vice versa. Gerald Regan, for instance, became leader of the provincial party after serving as a Liberal MP. He joined the federal Liberal government after serving as premier
of Nova Scotia. Angus L. Macdonald, the province's most storied Liberal premier, split his term into two by spending five years as a federal Liberal cabinet minister in the wartime government of William Lyon Mackenzie King
.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Origins
The party is descended from the pre-ConfederationCanadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, 1867. On that day, three British colonies were formed into four Canadian provinces...
Reformers in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
who coalesced around Joseph Howe
Joseph Howe
Joseph Howe, PC was a Nova Scotian journalist, politician, and public servant. He is one of Nova Scotia's greatest and best-loved politicians...
demanding the institution of responsible government
Responsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
. The Liberals (Reformers) formed several governments in the colony between 1848 and 1867.
The party split during the debate on Confederation, with Howe and most other Liberals forming an Anti-Confederation Party
Anti-Confederation Party
Anti-Confederation was the name used in what is now Atlantic Canada by several parties opposed to Canadian confederation.-Nova Scotia:In Nova Scotia, the "Anti-Confederates" were led by Joseph Howe. They attempted to reverse the colony's decision to join Confederation, which was initially highly...
, while supporters of confederation joined Tory Charles Tupper
Charles Tupper
Sir Charles Tupper, 1st Baronet, GCMG, CB, PC was a Canadian father of Confederation: as the Premier of Nova Scotia from 1864 to 1867, he led Nova Scotia into Confederation. He later went on to serve as the sixth Prime Minister of Canada, sworn in to office on May 1, 1896, seven days after...
's Confederation Party
Confederation Party
Confederation Party was a term for the parties supporting Canadian confederation in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland in the 1860s when politics became polarised between supporters and opponents of Confederation. The Confederation parties were accordingly opposed by Anti-Confederation...
. Howe, himself, initially opposed Confederation, but accepted it as a reality after initial attempts to scuttle it failed.
In 1868, Howe joined the pro-Confederation forces, serving for a time in the federal Cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
of Sir John A. Macdonald
John A. Macdonald
Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...
.
The Anti-Confederation Party
Anti-Confederation Party
Anti-Confederation was the name used in what is now Atlantic Canada by several parties opposed to Canadian confederation.-Nova Scotia:In Nova Scotia, the "Anti-Confederates" were led by Joseph Howe. They attempted to reverse the colony's decision to join Confederation, which was initially highly...
took most of Nova Scotia's seats in the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
in 1867, as well as forming the government of the new province under William Annand
William Annand
William Annand was a Nova Scotia publisher and politician.Born in Halifax, Annand was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in 1836 and supported demands for responsible government. He lost his seat in 1843 and became proprietor and editor of the Novascotian and Morning Chronicle...
. The new, post-1867 Liberal Party was organised by Annand and his anti-Confederate forces, while the Conservative Party was organised by Tupper and supporters of Sir John A. Macdonald
John A. Macdonald
Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...
's coalition in the province.
Prior to 1956, the Nova Scotia Liberal Party had ruled the province for 76 of its 89 years, most of that time with fewer than 5 opposition members. It had also ruled prior to confederation, and was responsible for bringing the first responsible government
Responsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
to North America.
The party in recent years
From 1956 the Tories gained significant ground with Robert StanfieldRobert Stanfield
Robert Lorne Stanfield, PC, QC was the 17th Premier of Nova Scotia and leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. He is sometimes referred to as "the greatest prime minister Canada never had", and earned the nickname "Honest Bob"...
's reformation of the "Progressive Conservatives", and have successfully challenged the Liberals for control of the government. Recently, the Liberals have faltered in the province, and are currently the second-largest party in the Assembly with 12 seats to 31 for the New Democrats and 8 for the Progressive Conservatives. After the Nova Scotia Liberal Party's dismal performance in the 2006 election
Nova Scotia general election, 2006
The 37th Nova Scotia general election was held on June 13, 2006 to elect members of the 60th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada....
(and failing to win his own seat), leader Francis MacKenzie
Francis MacKenzie
Francis MacKenzie Francis MacKenzie Francis MacKenzie (born May 7, 1960 in Sydney, Nova Scotia is a former leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party. He won the leadership for the party on October 23, 2004.-Early life:...
announced his resignation. He was succeeded by Stephen McNeil
Stephen McNeil
Stephen McNeil is a Nova Scotian politician representing the riding of Annapolis in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly and is the leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party....
. In the 2009 election, the Liberals moved out of third-party status and formed the official opposition once again.
The Nova Scotia Liberals are the provincial section of the federal Liberal Party of Canada
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
. The two parties have a shared membership, and Liberal Members of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
often become Liberal Members of the Legislative Assembly
Member of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
, and vice versa. Gerald Regan, for instance, became leader of the provincial party after serving as a Liberal MP. He joined the federal Liberal government after serving as premier
Premier (Canada)
In Canada, a premier is the head of government of a province or territory. There are currently ten provincial premiers and three territorial premiers in Canada....
of Nova Scotia. Angus L. Macdonald, the province's most storied Liberal premier, split his term into two by spending five years as a federal Liberal cabinet minister in the wartime government of William Lyon Mackenzie King
William Lyon Mackenzie King
William Lyon Mackenzie King, PC, OM, CMG was the dominant Canadian political leader from the 1920s through the 1940s. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Canada from December 29, 1921 to June 28, 1926; from September 25, 1926 to August 7, 1930; and from October 23, 1935 to November 15, 1948...
.
Current elected members
| Name | Riding | Year elected |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen McNeil Stephen McNeil Stephen McNeil is a Nova Scotian politician representing the riding of Annapolis in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly and is the leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.... |
Annapolis Annapolis (provincial electoral district) Annapolis is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.The district was created in 1867, and was re-distributed in 1953 into Annapolis East and Annapolis West... |
2003 |
| Karen Casey Karen Casey Karen Casey is a Canadian politician. She currently represents the electoral district of Colchester North in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. She is a member of the Liberal caucus.... |
Colchester North Colchester North Colchester North is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.The Member of the Legislative Assembly since 2006 has been Karen Casey of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia.The riding includes the northern half... |
2006 |
| Zach Churchill Zach Churchill Zach Churchill is a provincial politician, from Nova Scotia, Canada. He is a current member of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia having served since June 2010.-Political career:... |
Yarmouth Yarmouth (provincial electoral district) Yarmouth is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. It consists of the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth and the town of Yarmouth. Fishing and fish processing continue to drive the economy here, although tourism... |
2010 |
| Keith Colwell Keith Colwell Keith Colwell is a Canadian politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, representing the riding of Preston for the Nova Scotia Liberal Party. He was first elected in the 1993 election for the riding of Eastern Shore and re-elected in the 1998 election... |
Preston Preston (electoral district) Preston is a provincial electoral district in Halifax County, Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.The riding was created in 1993 to provide representation to the area's rural black community... |
2003 |
| Wayne Gaudet Wayne Gaudet Wayne Gaudet is a Canadian politician. He currently represents the electoral district of Clare in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. He is a member of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.... |
Clare Clare (electoral district) Clare is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.The Member of the Legislative Assembly since 1993 has been Wayne Gaudet of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.... |
1993 |
| Leo Glavine Leo Glavine Leo Glavine is a Canadian politician. He represents the electoral district of Kings West in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. He is a member of the Liberals.... |
Kings West Kings West Kings West is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.Its Member of the Legislative Assembly is Leo Glavine of the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia.... |
2003 |
| Manning MacDonald Manning MacDonald Manning MacDonald CD, ECNS is a Canadian politician. He represents the electoral district of Cape Breton South in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly... |
Cape Breton South Cape Breton South There are two ridings in Canada that go by the name Cape Breton South:* Cape Breton South * Cape Breton South... |
1993 |
| Geoff MacLellan Geoff MacLellan Geoff MacLellan is a politician in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia in a by-election on June 22, 2010. He represents the electoral district of Glace Bay as a Liberal.-External links:**... |
Glace Bay Glace Bay (electoral district) Glace Bay is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.... |
2010 |
| Kelly Regan Kelly Regan Kelly Regan, MLA is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia in the 2009 election, representing the electoral district of Bedford-Birch Cove as a member of the Liberal Party.... |
Bedford-Birch Cove | 2009 |
| Michel Samson Michel Samson Michel P. Samson is the Liberal MLA for Richmond.He went to high school at Isle Madame District High, where he graduated with distinction. He started his post-secondary education at Dalhousie University, obtaining his B.A. in History. Samson then attended Dalhousie Law School and in May 1997,... |
Richmond Richmond (Nova Scotia provincial electoral district) Richmond is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.Its Member of the Legislative Assembly since 1998 has been Michel Samson of the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia.... |
1998 |
| Harold Theriault Jr. | Digby-Annapolis Digby-Annapolis Digby—Annapolis is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.The Member of the Legislative Assembly since 2003 has been Harold "Junior" Theriault of the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia.... |
2003 |
| Diana Whalen Diana Whalen Diana Whalen is a politician in Nova Scotia, Canada. She has held elected office since 2000 when she won a seat on HRM council representing the Clayton Park West and Rockingham. She has been the MLA for Halifax Clayton Park since 2003... |
Halifax Clayton Park Halifax Clayton Park Halifax Clayton Park is a provincial electoral district in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly... |
2003 |
| Andrew Younger Andrew Younger Andrew Younger is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2009 provincial election. He represents the electoral district of Dartmouth East as a member of the Liberal Party.... |
Dartmouth East Dartmouth East Dartmouth East is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. The riding is located in the Dartmouth region of the Halifax RM.-Members of the Legislative Assembly:... |
2009 |
See also
- List of Nova Scotia political parties
- List of Nova Scotia premiers
- Nova Scotia Liberal Party leadership election, 2007Nova Scotia Liberal Party leadership election, 2007The Nova Scotia Liberal Party held a leadership election on April 27, 2007 at the Dartmouth Sportsplex, following the resignation of Francis MacKenzie, shortly after failing to win a seat in the 2006 election. This was the third leadership convention for the Liberals since 2002...
- Nova Scotia Liberal Party leadership electionsNova Scotia Liberal Party leadership electionsThis page lists the results of leadership elections held by the Nova Scotia Liberal Party. Before 1930 leaders were chosen by the caucus.-1930 leadership convention:*Angus L...