Nancy MacBeth
Encyclopedia
Nancy MacBeth, née Elliott (born December 29, 1948 in Edmonton, Alberta) is a Canadian
politician, who was the leader of the Alberta Liberal Party
from 1998 to 2001.
, in French
and Russian
; studying Université Laval
, studying French Canadian
literature. She subsequently worked as an executive assistant for several Alberta cabinet ministers.
(MLA) for the riding
of Edmonton-Glenora
from 1986 to 1993 in the government of Don Getty. She was Minister of Education from 1986 to 1988, and was then appointed Minister of Health, serving in that position until 1992.
She then ran as a candidate in the party's 1992 leadership convention against Ralph Klein. Regarded by the membership as a Red Tory
, Betkowski (as she was then known) became the preferred candidate of the party establishment. However, Klein's populist
appeal won him the leadership, and Betkowski did not stand as a candidate in the 1993 election
.
She then returned to politics in 1998, running for the leadership of the Alberta Liberals after the resignation of Grant Mitchell
. Now serving as the MLA for Edmonton McClung
, MacBeth tried to capitalize on discontent with Klein's government in some Alberta communities by reaching out to disaffected Red Tories, but proved unable to connect with voters. In the 2001 provincial election
, the Liberals won only seven seats, less than half as many as they had held before the election. Among the losses was MacBeth's own seat of Edmonton McClung
.
She subsequently left politics again, and was succeeded by Ken Nicol
as party leader.
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...
politician, who was the leader of the Alberta Liberal Party
Alberta Liberal Party
The Alberta Liberal Party is a provincial political party in Alberta, Canada. Originally founded in 1905, when the province was created, it was the dominant political party until 1921 when it was defeated. It has never been in government since that time...
from 1998 to 2001.
Early life
MacBeth received a Bachelor of Arts at the University of AlbertaUniversity of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
, in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and Russian
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
; studying Université Laval
Université Laval
Laval University is the oldest centre of education in Canada and was the first institution in North America to offer higher education in French...
, studying French Canadian
French Canadian
French Canadian or Francophone Canadian, , generally refers to the descendents of French colonists who arrived in New France in the 17th and 18th centuries...
literature. She subsequently worked as an executive assistant for several Alberta cabinet ministers.
Early political career
She first entered electoral politics as an Alberta Progressive Conservative Party Member of the Legislative AssemblyMember 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....
(MLA) for the riding
Electoral district (Canada)
An electoral district in Canada, also known as a constituency or a riding, is a geographical constituency upon which Canada's representative democracy is based...
of Edmonton-Glenora
Edmonton-Glenora
Edmonton-Glenora is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Canada. It is located north of the North Saskatchewan river....
from 1986 to 1993 in the government of Don Getty. She was Minister of Education from 1986 to 1988, and was then appointed Minister of Health, serving in that position until 1992.
She then ran as a candidate in the party's 1992 leadership convention against Ralph Klein. Regarded by the membership as a Red Tory
Red Tory
A red Tory is an adherent of a particular political philosophy, tradition, and disposition in Canada somewhat similar to the High Tory tradition in the United Kingdom; it is contrasted with "blue Tory". In Canada, the phenomenon of "red toryism" has fundamentally, if not exclusively, been found in...
, Betkowski (as she was then known) became the preferred candidate of the party establishment. However, Klein's populist
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
appeal won him the leadership, and Betkowski did not stand as a candidate in the 1993 election
Alberta general election, 1993
The Alberta general election of 1993 was the twenty-third general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on June 15, 1993 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta...
.
Liberal leader
She subsequently married portfolio manager and financial writer Hilliard MacBeth.She then returned to politics in 1998, running for the leadership of the Alberta Liberals after the resignation of Grant Mitchell
Grant Mitchell (politician)
-Early life:He received a B.A. degree from the University of Alberta and an M.A. degree from Queen's University. From 1976 to 1979, he worked as a public servant with the Government of Alberta...
. Now serving as the MLA for Edmonton McClung
Edmonton McClung
Edmonton-McClung is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Canada.Edmonton-McClung was created in 1993, and was represented by Grant Mitchell from 1993 to 1998. Mitchell served as leader of the Alberta Liberal Party from 1994 to 1998.In 1998, following Mitchell’s...
, MacBeth tried to capitalize on discontent with Klein's government in some Alberta communities by reaching out to disaffected Red Tories, but proved unable to connect with voters. In the 2001 provincial election
Alberta general election, 2001
The Alberta general election of 2001 was the twenty-fifth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on March 12, 2001 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
, the Liberals won only seven seats, less than half as many as they had held before the election. Among the losses was MacBeth's own seat of Edmonton McClung
Edmonton McClung
Edmonton-McClung is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Canada.Edmonton-McClung was created in 1993, and was represented by Grant Mitchell from 1993 to 1998. Mitchell served as leader of the Alberta Liberal Party from 1994 to 1998.In 1998, following Mitchell’s...
.
She subsequently left politics again, and was succeeded by Ken Nicol
Ken Nicol (politician)
Ken Nicol is a Canadian politician and academic.He served as the MLA for Lethbridge East from 1993 to 2004. During his final three years, he was the leader of the Alberta Liberal Party, and leader of the official opposition in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta...
as party leader.