Nova Scotia Liberal Party leadership election, 2007
Encyclopedia
The 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. It was won by Annapolis
MLA
Stephen McNeil
.
The Liberal Party is a centrist political party in the Province of Nova Scotia
, Canada
. It is, with the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia and New Democratic Party of Nova Scotia, one of three parties that have formed a government in the province. The Liberal Party of Nova Scotia has controlled the government for much of the province's history, having been in power from Canadian Confederation
in 1867 to 1878, 1882 to 1925, 1933 to 1956, 1970 to 1978 and 1993 to 1999. However, from the 1999 election
until the 2009 election it was relegated to third party status
behind the Progressive Conservatives and the New Democratic Party of Nova Scotia. In 2009, under McNeil's leadership, the party returned to official opposition status as the second largest party in the legislature.
The new leader was chosen by a full delegated convention, the first in the party since 1986, after which time the party had adopted a one member one vote system used in the 1992 and all subsequent leadership contests.
Michel Samson
was the interim leader
of the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia
, and leader in the House of Assembly
for the third place party.
Various members of the party announced that they would not seek the leadership. Among them were interim leader Michel Samson
, Dartmouth physician John Gillis, and
Liberal MPs Geoff Regan
, Scott Brison, and Michael Savage
,
including the election of officers, adoption of policies and potential constitutional amendments.
Spoiled Ballots: 0
Movement:
Spoiled Ballots: 0
Movement:
Leadership convention
In Canadian politics, a leadership convention is held by a political party when the party needs to choose a leader due to a vacancy or a challenge to the incumbent leader.- Overview :...
on April 27, 2007 at the Dartmouth Sportsplex
Dartmouth Sportsplex
The Dartmouth Sportsplex is an arena located in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. It has been home to various junior, senior and minor & high school hockey teams. It co-hosted the 2004 World Women's Hockey Championships with the nearby Halifax Metro Centre. It also hosts occasional trade shows and...
, following the resignation of 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:...
, shortly after failing to win a seat
Nova Scotia House of Assembly
The Nova Scotia Legislature, consisting of Her Majesty The Queen represented by the Lieutenant Governor and the House of Assembly, is the legislative branch of the provincial government of Nova Scotia, Canada...
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....
. This was the third leadership convention for the Liberals since 2002. It was won by 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...
MLA
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....
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....
.
The Liberal Party is a centrist political party in the Province of 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...
, 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...
. It is, with the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia and New Democratic Party of Nova Scotia, one of three parties that have formed a government in the province. The Liberal Party of Nova Scotia has controlled the government for much of the province's history, having been in power from Canadian Confederation
Canadian 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...
in 1867 to 1878, 1882 to 1925, 1933 to 1956, 1970 to 1978 and 1993 to 1999. However, from the 1999 election
Nova Scotia general election, 1999
The 35th Nova Scotia general election was held on July 27, 1999, to elect members of the 58th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was won by the Progressive Conservative party, led by Dr...
until the 2009 election it was relegated to third party status
Third party (Canada)
In Canada, a third party usually refers to a relatively small federal or provincial political party that is not usually considered to have a realistic chance of forming a government, but has representation in the federal House of Commons or the provincial legislature...
behind the Progressive Conservatives and the New Democratic Party of Nova Scotia. In 2009, under McNeil's leadership, the party returned to official opposition status as the second largest party in the legislature.
The new leader was chosen by a full delegated convention, the first in the party since 1986, after which time the party had adopted a one member one vote system used in the 1992 and all subsequent leadership contests.
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,...
was the interim leader
Interim leader
An interim leader, in Canadian politics, is a party leader appointed by the party's legislative caucus or the party's executive to temporarily act as leader when a gap occurs between the resignation or death of a party leader and the election of a formal successor...
of the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia
Liberal Party of Nova Scotia
The Liberal Party of Nova Scotia is a political party in Nova Scotia, Canada.-Origins:The party is descended from the pre-Confederation Reformers in Nova Scotia who coalesced around Joseph Howe demanding the institution of responsible government...
, and leader in the House of Assembly
House of Assembly
House of Assembly is a name given to the legislature or lower house of a bicameral parliament. In some countries this may be at a subnational level....
for the third place party.
Rules
The party issued a 78 page document, outlining the rules, on January 15, 2007.Candidates
- Kenzie MacKinnonKenzie MacKinnonKenzie MacKinnon is a lawyer based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.MacKinnon has three times been a candidate for elected office. He ran for the Canadian House of Commons in the 1984 election in the riding of Cape Breton Highlands—Canso and twice for the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the riding...
, lawyer and three-time Liberal candidate - Stephen McNeilStephen McNeilStephen 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....
, MLA for Annapolis - Mike Smith, mayorMayorIn many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Colchester County - Diana WhalenDiana WhalenDiana 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...
, MLA for Halifax-Clayton Park
Various members of the party announced that they would not seek the leadership. Among them were interim leader 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,...
, Dartmouth physician John Gillis, and
Liberal MPs Geoff Regan
Geoff Regan
Geoffrey Paul Regan, PC, MP is a Canadian politician. He has the prenomial "the Honourable" and the postnomial "PC" for life by virtue of being made a privy councillor and a member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada. Regan grew up in a strong political family...
, Scott Brison, and Michael Savage
Michael Savage (politician)
Michael John Savage was the Liberal Party of Canada Member of Parliament for the riding of Dartmouth—Cole Harbour. On May 2, 2011, Savage lost his bid for re-election to Parliament to Robert Chisholm of the NDP. Savage received 15,162 votes to Chisholm's 15,661.-Biography:Savage is the son of...
,
Endorsements
The following is a list of high-profile endorsers for each of the candidates; the list includes MLAs, MPs, and Senators, as well as former MLAs, Premiers, and Lieutenant-Governors.MacKinnon (3)
- Mary ClancyMary ClancyMary Catherine Clancy was a member of the Canadian House of Commons from 1988 to 1997. By career, she was a lawyer....
, former MPCanadian House of CommonsThe 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...
for HalifaxHalifax (electoral district)Halifax is a federal electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1867.Since October 14, 2008, its Member of the Parliament has been Megan Leslie of the New Democratic Party.... - Russell MacLellanRussell MacLellanRussell Gregoire MacLellan is a Canadian politician who served as the 24th Premier of Nova Scotia from 1997 to 1999.MacLellan was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia...
, former Premier of Nova ScotiaPremier of Nova ScotiaThe Premier of Nova Scotia is the first minister for the Canadian province of Nova Scotia who presides over the Executive Council of Nova Scotia. Following the Westminster system, the premier is normally the leader of the political party which has the most seats in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly... - Allan J. MacEachen, former MP and Deputy Prime Minister
McNeil (9)
- Jim CowanJim CowanJames S. "Jim" Cowan is a Canadian lawyer and Senator from Nova Scotia. He was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Paul Martin on March 24, 2005. He represents the Liberal Party of Canada...
, Senator - Rodger CuznerRodger CuznerRodger T. Cuzner is a Canadian politician.Born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, he graduated from Morrison Glace Bay High School and then studied physical education at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish....
, Liberal MP for Cape Breton-Canso - Don DowneDon DowneDonald Richard Downe is a farmer and political figure in Nova Scotia, Canada. He represented Lunenburg West in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1993 to 2003 as a Liberal member....
, former MLA, Lunenburg WestLunenburg WestLunenburg West is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.The riding includes the town of Bridgewater, LaHave, and Hebbville.-Members of the Legislative Assembly:... - Leo GlavineLeo GlavineLeo 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....
, MLA for Kings WestKings WestKings 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.... - Dr. Jim Smith, former MLA, Dartmouth EastDartmouth EastDartmouth 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:...
- Harold "Junior" Theriault, MLA for Digby-AnnapolisDigby-AnnapolisDigby—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....
- Robert ThibaultRobert ThibaultRobert G. Thibault, PC is a Canadian politician.Thibault is a member of the Liberal Party of Canada and a former member in the Canadian House of Commons, serving three terms as the representative of West Nova from 2000 to 2008. He served as a municipal councillor in Clare, Nova Scotia from 1988 to...
, Liberal MP for West NovaWest NovaWest Nova is a federal electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1968.... - Wayne GaudetWayne GaudetWayne 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....
, MLA for ClareClare (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.... - Kirk Cox, Former Candidate, Shelburne
Smith (13)
- Aldric d'Entremont, Warden, Municipality of Argyle
- Lloyd Hines, Warden, Municipality of the District of Guysborough
- Glenn Horne, President, St. F.X. Young Liberals
- Dennis James, former President NS Young Liberals, Chief of Staff to Premier John Savage, Former Federal Candidate
- Dr. Ed Kinley, former MLA for Halifax CitadelHalifax CitadelHalifax Citadel is a provincial electoral district in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.Its current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Leonard Preyra of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party....
- Ed Lorraine, former MLA and provincial Minister of Agriculture
- Kenneth MacAskill, former MLA and provincial Minister of Natural Resources
- Richie MannRichie MannRichard W. "Richie" Mann is a retired politician in Nova Scotia, Canada.Born and educated in St. Peter's, Nova Scotia, Mann began his working life in 1971 with pulp and paper giant Stora Forest Industries. He was employed at the Cape Breton mill as an industrial pipefitter/steamfitter from 1971...
, President of Dartmouth Cole Harbour, former MLA, former Minister of Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development - Duart McAuley, Warden, Municipality of the County of Inverness
- Traci-Lyn McMenamon, VP Hants East Liberal Association
- Eleanor NorrieEleanor NorrieEleanor Elizabeth Tucker Norrie is a former teacher, restaurant owner and politician in Nova Scotia, Canada. She represented Truro-Bible Hill in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1993 to 1998 as a Liberal member....
, former MLA Truro-Bible HillTruro-Bible HillTruro—Bible Hill is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.-Members of the Legislative Assembly:This riding has elected the following Members of the Legislative Assembly:...
, former Minister of Natural Resources, Housing and Consumer Affairs, and Status of Women - Lorraine Sheppard, Cape Breton South, Past Member of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party Management Committee
- Gordon ThompsonGordon ThompsonGordon Thompson was a songwriter who co-wrote the song "The Thing-Ummy Bob" with David Heneker....
, President, Yarmouth Liberal Association - Floyd Tucker, former MLA for Colchester NorthColchester NorthColchester 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...
Whalen (9)
- Alan AbrahamAlan AbrahamAlan Rockwell Abraham, was the 26th Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.Abraham, an engineering graduate from Saint Mary's University was involved in federal politics and helped with the organization of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's tours of the Maritimes...
, former Lieutenant Governor of Nova ScotiaLieutenant Governor of Nova ScotiaThe Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia is the viceregal representative in Nova Scotia of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared equally with the ten other jurisdictions of Canada and resides predominantly in her oldest realm, the... - Wayne AdamsWayne AdamsWayne Adams, CM ONS is a former Canadian provincial politician who was the first Black Canadian member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly and cabinet minister....
, former Liberal MLA - Carolyn BennettCarolyn BennettCarolyn Ann Bennett, PC, MP is the Member of Parliament for the riding of St. Paul's, a constituency located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is a member of the Liberal Party of Canada, and was formerly a candidate for its leadership....
, Liberal MP for St. Paul's - Bernie BoudreauBernie BoudreauJames Bernard "Bernie" Boudreau, PC, QC is a Canadian lawyer and politician.Boudreau was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from Cape Breton The Lakes, and served as Minister of Finance. From 1996, he served as Minister of Health in the provincial Liberal government of John Savage...
, former MLA and SenatorCanadian SenateThe Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister... - Scott BrisonScott BrisonScott A. Brison, PC, MP is a Canadian politician from Nova Scotia, Canada. Brison has been the Member of Parliament for the riding of Kings-Hants since the 1997 federal election. Brison was originally elected as a Progressive Conservative but crossed the floor to join the Liberal Party in 2003...
, Liberal MP for Kings—HantsKings—HantsKings—Hants is a federal electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1968... - Garnet BrownAlexander Garnet BrownAlexander Garnet Brown , known as Garnet Brown, was a Canadian businessman and politician who served in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1969 to 1978...
, former Liberal MLA - Keith ColwellKeith ColwellKeith 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...
, MLA for PrestonPreston (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... - Jane Cordy, Senator
- Geoff ReganGeoff ReganGeoffrey Paul Regan, PC, MP is a Canadian politician. He has the prenomial "the Honourable" and the postnomial "PC" for life by virtue of being made a privy councillor and a member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada. Regan grew up in a strong political family...
, Liberal MP for Halifax WestHalifax WestHalifax West is a federal electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1979. Its population in 2006 was 88,756.-Demographics:From the 2006 census Ethnic groups:*White: 90.8%... - Dave WilsonDavid Wilson (Canadian politician)Harold David "Dave" Wilson is a former Canadian politician and radio personality. He represented the electoral district of Glace Bay in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1999 to 2010. He was a member of the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia...
, MLA for Glace BayGlace 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....
Caucus members who did not endorse a candidate
- Manning MacDonaldManning MacDonaldManning MacDonald CD, ECNS is a Canadian politician. He represents the electoral district of Cape Breton South in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly...
, MLA for Cape Breton SouthCape Breton South (provincial electoral district)Cape Breton South is a provincial electoral district in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. Its Member of the Legislative Assembly since 1993 has been Manning MacDonald of the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia... - Michel SamsonMichel SamsonMichel 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,...
, MLA for RichmondRichmond (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....
, was the interim leaderInterim leaderAn interim leader, in Canadian politics, is a party leader appointed by the party's legislative caucus or the party's executive to temporarily act as leader when a gap occurs between the resignation or death of a party leader and the election of a formal successor...
and remained neutral in the leadership race.
Party general meeting
In addition to the leadership convention, the party will hold its Annual General MeetingAnnual general meeting
An annual general meeting is a meeting that official bodies, and associations involving the public , are often required by law to hold...
including the election of officers, adoption of policies and potential constitutional amendments.
Results
First Ballot
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage | +/-* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen McNeil | 571 | 40.9% | |
| Diana Whalen | 402 | 28.8% | |
| Mike Smith | 255 | 18.3% | |
| Kenzie MacKinnon | 169 | 12.1% | |
| Total | 1,397 | 100.0% |
Spoiled Ballots: 0
Movement:
- Kenzie MacKinnon is eliminated with the lowest vote total. He gives his support to Diana Whalen.
- Mike Smith chooses to withdraw and support Whalen.
Second Ballot
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage | +/-* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen McNeil | 718 | 52.5% | |
| Diana Whalen | 650 | 47.5% | |
| Total | 1,368 | 100.0% |
Spoiled Ballots: 0
Movement:
- Stephen McNeil wins the 2007 Liberal Leadership race.
Timeline
- January 10: Mike Smith, the mayor of Colchester County, becomes the first registered candidate, launching his campaign in TruroTruro, Nova Scotia-Education:Truro has one high school, Cobequid Educational Centre. Post-secondary options include a campus of the Nova Scotia Community College, as well as the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in the neighboring town of Bible Hill.- Sports :...
. - January 12: Interim leader Michel SamsonMichel SamsonMichel 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,...
announces that he will not run for party leadership. - January 18: Halifax-Clayton Park MLA Diana WhalenDiana WhalenDiana 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...
becomes the second and highest profile candidate in the race, launching her campaign in Halifax. - January 19: Kenzie MacKinnonKenzie MacKinnonKenzie MacKinnon is a lawyer based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.MacKinnon has three times been a candidate for elected office. He ran for the Canadian House of Commons in the 1984 election in the riding of Cape Breton Highlands—Canso and twice for the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the riding...
announces that he will enter the leadership race. - January 30: Annapolis MLA Stephen McNeilStephen McNeilStephen 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....
becomes the second MLA to enter the race; he is the first to have endorsements from current MLAs. - April 28: Stephen McNeil elected for leader.
See also
- Leadership conventionLeadership conventionIn Canadian politics, a leadership convention is held by a political party when the party needs to choose a leader due to a vacancy or a challenge to the incumbent leader.- Overview :...
for more information about the selection of party leaders in Canada.