Nova Scotia New Democratic Party
Encyclopedia
The Nova Scotia New Democratic Party is a social-democratic
provincial party in Nova Scotia
, Canada
. It is aligned with the federal New Democratic Party
(NDP). Originally founded as the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
(CCF) in 1932, it became the New Democratic Party in 1961. It became the governing party of Nova Scotia following the 2009 Nova Scotia Election. They made history by becoming the first New Democratic Party in Atlantic Canada
to form a government. Much of the party's success prior to the 2009 election was based in the urban areas of the provincial capital, the Halifax Regional Municipality, however the party's support has grown to the rest of Nova Scotia.
, Nova Scotia has had a two-party system
in which power alternated between the Nova Scotia Liberal Party and Progressive Conservatives
. In the 1920 provincial election
the left
had a breakthrough with the United Farmers winning six seats and the Independent Labour Party winning 5. The two forces joined together to form an 11 member official opposition under Daniel G. Mackenzie, but the group was undermined by the Liberals (who tarnished the image of the opposition MLAs by offering them payments) and the United Farmers/Labour grouping was wiped out in 1925.
Though the CCF/NDP has a long history in Nova Scotia, it was unable to break the two-party system and win more than a handful of seats (if any) in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
until the 1990s.
The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
was formed in 1932 and ran its first candidates in the 1933 Nova Scotia election
but failed to win any electoral representation. The party did not contest the 1937 general election
.
In the 1939 Cape Breton Centre
by-election
Douglas MacDonald
won the CCF's first seat in the legislature.
In 1941, the future Canadian Labour Congress
(CLC) president Donald MacDonald was elected from the Cape Breton South
constituency. He was joined by Douglas Neil Brodie
, who was elected in Cape Breton East constituency, bringing the CCF up to a total of three MLAs. Donald MacDonald was the party's leader in the Assembly until 1945. He lost a close campaign in the 1945 election, but the party still retained two seats on Cape Breton Island
. MacDonald then transitioned into working full-time with the Canadian Congress of Labour, a predecessor of the CLC.
A lot of the early organization of the CCF in Nova Scotia was done by Maritime Organizer Fred Young. Young would go on to continue his work in Ontario and eventually sit as an MPP in the Ontario legislature, however, his early work laid the groundwork for any future advancements the party would make during this period. This was evident in 1945
when the two CCF members elected from Cape Breton.
Russell Cunningham
was the only CCF leader to serve as Leader of the Opposition
after the 1945 provincial election
in which Premier Angus L. Macdonald's Liberal Party swept 28 of the 30 seats and the Tories were wiped out. CCFers Cunningham and fellow Cape Bretoner Michael James MacDonald
were the only opposition MLAs elected. Cunningham and MacDonald were re-elected in 1949
but were reduced to third party status
behind the Robert Stanfield
-led Progressive Conservatives.
MacDonald led the CCF from 1953 to 1963 and was the party's sole MLA in that period despite the fact that he led the CCF to an 8.9% popular vote in 1960
.
(NDP), MacDonald stepped down as leader and the locus of authority in the party moved to Halifax under the leadership of Professor James H. Aitchison
. MacDonald lost his seat in the 1963 provincial election
and the NDP would not win another until Jeremy Akerman
became party leader and won the riding of Cape Breton East in the 1970 election
. NDP representation in the House of Assembly grew slowly in throughout the 1970s, but never rose above four seats. The CCF had only been able to win seats on Cape Breton Island
and the NDP did not win seats outside of Cape Breton until 1981. With the election of the 26-year-old Akerman as party leader in 1968, and his subsequent election to the legislature two years later, the party regained and developed its strong base in industrial Cape Breton, ultimately winning four seats in the election of 1978
. However, the party failed to win any seats on the mainland, and this exacerbated tensions between the Akerman-dominated Cape Breton wing of the party and the university-based party establishment in Halifax. Following increasingly bloody internal battles Akerman resigned and the NDP lost all four Cape Breton seats in the following election.
became leader of the Nova Scotia NDP, the first female leader of a major recognized party in Canada. While she was the only NDP member of the legislature elected in 1981
, and had at most a caucus
of three Members of the Legislative Assembly
(MLAs), she raised the party's profile and become a well known advocate for the poor and disadvantaged. In a reversal of earlier times it was under McDonough's leadership that either the CCF or the NDP was able to win seats on the mainland for the first time. At the same time the NDP lost all its Cape Breton seats in the 1981 election and was unable to regain any of them under McDonough's leadership. She resigned as Nova Scotia NDP leader in 1994 and went on to be elected leader of the federal NDP in 1995.
the party vaulted from third place to ahead of the Progressive Conservatives, and won 19 seats in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
, the same number of seats as won by the Liberals. The Liberals formed a minority government
with the support of 14 Progressive Conservatives (Tories), the latter who had also improved their standings. The prospect of an NDP government seemed imminent.
However, the party was unable to improve on its standings in the 1999 election
. But with 11 seats in the legislature with 29.9% of the vote, it edged out the Liberals and were able to retain "Official Opposition" status when the Tories formed a majority government
under John Hamm
. Chisholm's unexpected resignation immediately following the election led to a period of internal party strife, with new leader Helen MacDonald, a former Cape Breton MLA, resigning after barely a year.
resulted in a Tory minority government while the NDP maintained Official Opposition status under new leader Darrell Dexter
. In the election, the NDP won 15 seats and 31% of the vote, coming slightly behind the Liberals in the popular vote but winning three more seats than the Liberals' 12. In the 2006 election
, the NDP managed to capitalise on its position as the Official Opposition to squeeze the Liberal vote, and the party increased its number of seats from 15 to 20, an all time high, and won 34.63% of the vote. Unlike in 2003, in 2006 the NDP came in a clear second, far ahead of the Liberals.
On June 9, 2009, Dexter led the NDP to victory, winning a majority government
, and was sworn in as Premier of Nova Scotia
on June 19, 2009. With his party's victory, it marks the first time in Canadian provincial politics that an NDP government had been formed in a province east of Ontario
.
New Democratic Party
Sources:
The youth wing was partially responsible for the election of Jeremy Akerman, as leader, at the 1968 Leadership Convention.
In 1994 the NSYND was renamed "The Nova Scotia NDP Youth Wing". At this time the youth wing was quite moderate, encouraging the main party to focus on government and embrace mainstream values such as fiscal responsibility, "one member one vote" and banning corporate and union donations. They also successfully lobbied the party to include more youth members in the party structure. Members and alumni of the youth wing were instrumental in forming NDProgress
in 2000.
In a controversial move in 2001 the youth wing was renamed the “New Party Youth Movement” (NPYM). The name change was made to advocate a renewal of the NDP similar the one in 1961 when the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
(CCF) became the NDP. The “New Party” name was taken from the “New Party” groups formed before the creation of the NDP. The NPYM made a positive impact at the 2001 NSNDP convention pushing the party to adopt a “one member one vote” style of electing its leader, successfully distributed home-made buttons to satire an organized attempt to shame members of the NDP caucus who did not support former leader Helen MacDonald and gaining over 2/3 support from convention delegates for their name change.
The youth wing was reconstituted in 2004 under its current name, the Nova Scotia Young New Democrats (NSYND) and has remained ideologically in step with that of the party proper.
Social democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
provincial party 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...
, 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 aligned with the federal New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
(NDP). Originally founded as the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation was a Canadian political party founded in 1932 in Calgary, Alberta, by a number of socialist, farm, co-operative and labour groups, and the League for Social Reconstruction...
(CCF) in 1932, it became the New Democratic Party in 1961. It became the governing party of Nova Scotia following the 2009 Nova Scotia Election. They made history by becoming the first New Democratic Party in Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada is the region of Canada comprising the four provinces located on the Atlantic coast, excluding Quebec: the three Maritime provinces – New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia – and Newfoundland and Labrador...
to form a government. Much of the party's success prior to the 2009 election was based in the urban areas of the provincial capital, the Halifax Regional Municipality, however the party's support has grown to the rest of Nova Scotia.
Co-operative Commonwealth Federation 1933-1961
Since shortly after 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...
, Nova Scotia has had a two-party system
Two-party system
A two-party system is a system where two major political parties dominate voting in nearly all elections at every level of government and, as a result, all or nearly all elected offices are members of one of the two major parties...
in which power alternated between the Nova Scotia Liberal Party and Progressive Conservatives
Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia
The Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia, registered under the Nova Scotia Elections Act as the "Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia", is a moderate right-of-centre political party in Nova Scotia, Canada....
. In the 1920 provincial election
Nova Scotia general election, 1920
The 14th Nova Scotia general election was held on 27 July 1920 to elect members of the 37th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was won by the Liberal party....
the left
Left-wing politics
In politics, Left, left-wing and leftist generally refer to support for social change to create a more egalitarian society...
had a breakthrough with the United Farmers winning six seats and the Independent Labour Party winning 5. The two forces joined together to form an 11 member official opposition under Daniel G. Mackenzie, but the group was undermined by the Liberals (who tarnished the image of the opposition MLAs by offering them payments) and the United Farmers/Labour grouping was wiped out in 1925.
Though the CCF/NDP has a long history in Nova Scotia, it was unable to break the two-party system and win more than a handful of seats (if any) in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
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...
until the 1990s.
The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation was a Canadian political party founded in 1932 in Calgary, Alberta, by a number of socialist, farm, co-operative and labour groups, and the League for Social Reconstruction...
was formed in 1932 and ran its first candidates in the 1933 Nova Scotia election
Nova Scotia general election, 1933
The 17th Nova Scotia general election was held on 22 August 1933 to elect members of the 40th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was won by the Liberal party....
but failed to win any electoral representation. The party did not contest the 1937 general election
Nova Scotia general election, 1937
The 18th Nova Scotia general election was held on 20 June 1937 to elect members of the 41st House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was won by the Liberal party....
.
In the 1939 Cape Breton Centre
Cape Breton Centre
Cape Breton Centre is a provincial electoral district in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly....
by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
Douglas MacDonald
Douglas MacDonald
Douglas MacDonald was a farmer, miner and political figure in Nova Scotia, Canada. He represented Cape Breton Centre in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1939 to 1945 as a Co-operative Commonwealth Federation member....
won the CCF's first seat in the legislature.
In 1941, the future Canadian Labour Congress
Canadian Labour Congress
The Canadian Labour Congress, or CLC is a national trade union centre, the central labour body in English Canada to which most Canadian labour unions are affiliated.- Formation :...
(CLC) president Donald MacDonald was elected from the Cape Breton South
Cape 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...
constituency. He was joined by Douglas Neil Brodie
Douglas Neil Brodie
Douglas Neil Brodie was a businessman and political figure in Nova Scotia, Canada. He represented Cape Breton East in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1941 to 1945 as a Co-operative Commonwealth Federation member.He was born in Halifax, the son of Neil MacNeil Brodie and Margaret Carroll,...
, who was elected in Cape Breton East constituency, bringing the CCF up to a total of three MLAs. Donald MacDonald was the party's leader in the Assembly until 1945. He lost a close campaign in the 1945 election, but the party still retained two seats on Cape Breton Island
Cape Breton Island
Cape Breton Island is an island on the Atlantic coast of North America. It likely corresponds to the word Breton, the French demonym for Brittany....
. MacDonald then transitioned into working full-time with the Canadian Congress of Labour, a predecessor of the CLC.
A lot of the early organization of the CCF in Nova Scotia was done by Maritime Organizer Fred Young. Young would go on to continue his work in Ontario and eventually sit as an MPP in the Ontario legislature, however, his early work laid the groundwork for any future advancements the party would make during this period. This was evident in 1945
Nova Scotia general election, 1945
The 20th Nova Scotia general election was held on 23 October 1945 to elect members of the 43rd House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was won by the Liberal party....
when the two CCF members elected from Cape Breton.
Russell Cunningham
Russell Cunningham (Canadian politician)
Russell Cunningham was a Canadian social democratic politician from Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. He was the leader of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation in Nova Scotia from 1945 until 1953...
was the only CCF leader to serve as Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (Nova Scotia)
The Leader of the Opposition in Nova Scotia is the MLA in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly who leads the political party recognized as the Official Opposition. This status generally goes to the leader of the second largest party in the Legislative Assembly...
after the 1945 provincial election
Nova Scotia general election, 1945
The 20th Nova Scotia general election was held on 23 October 1945 to elect members of the 43rd House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was won by the Liberal party....
in which Premier Angus L. Macdonald's Liberal Party swept 28 of the 30 seats and the Tories were wiped out. CCFers Cunningham and fellow Cape Bretoner Michael James MacDonald
Michael James MacDonald
Michael James MacDonald was a union leader, coal miner, volunteer firefighter and politician in Nova Scotia....
were the only opposition MLAs elected. Cunningham and MacDonald were re-elected in 1949
Nova Scotia general election, 1949
The 21st Nova Scotia general election was held on 9 June 1949 to elect members of the 44th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was won by the Liberal party....
but were reduced 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 Robert Stanfield
Robert 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"...
-led Progressive Conservatives.
MacDonald led the CCF from 1953 to 1963 and was the party's sole MLA in that period despite the fact that he led the CCF to an 8.9% popular vote in 1960
Nova Scotia general election, 1960
The 24th Nova Scotia general election was held on 7 June 1960 to elect members of the 47th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was won by the Progressive Conservatives....
.
The New Party
Following the creation of the federal and provincial New Democratic PartyNew Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
(NDP), MacDonald stepped down as leader and the locus of authority in the party moved to Halifax under the leadership of Professor James H. Aitchison
James H. Aitchison
James Hermiston Aitchison was a Canadian academic and politician and leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party....
. MacDonald lost his seat in the 1963 provincial election
Nova Scotia general election, 1963
The 25th Nova Scotia general election was held on 8 October 1963 to elect members of the 48th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was won by the Progressive Conservatives.* party was then the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation...
and the NDP would not win another until Jeremy Akerman
Jeremy Akerman
Jeremy Bernard Akerman is a former Canadian politician, writer and actor and a former leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party.-Biography:...
became party leader and won the riding of Cape Breton East in the 1970 election
Nova Scotia general election, 1970
The 27th Nova Scotia general election was held on 13 October 1970 to elect members of the 50th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was won by the Liberal party....
. NDP representation in the House of Assembly grew slowly in throughout the 1970s, but never rose above four seats. The CCF had only been able to win seats on Cape Breton Island
Cape Breton Island
Cape Breton Island is an island on the Atlantic coast of North America. It likely corresponds to the word Breton, the French demonym for Brittany....
and the NDP did not win seats outside of Cape Breton until 1981. With the election of the 26-year-old Akerman as party leader in 1968, and his subsequent election to the legislature two years later, the party regained and developed its strong base in industrial Cape Breton, ultimately winning four seats in the election of 1978
Nova Scotia general election, 1978
The 29th Nova Scotia general election was held on September 19, 1978 to elect members of the 52nd House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was won by the Progressive Conservative party....
. However, the party failed to win any seats on the mainland, and this exacerbated tensions between the Akerman-dominated Cape Breton wing of the party and the university-based party establishment in Halifax. Following increasingly bloody internal battles Akerman resigned and the NDP lost all four Cape Breton seats in the following election.
Alexa McDonough
In 1980, Haligonian Alexa McDonoughAlexa McDonough
Alexa Ann Shaw McDonough OC is a Canadian politician who became the first woman to lead a major, recognized political party in Canada, when she was elected the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party's leader in 1980...
became leader of the Nova Scotia NDP, the first female leader of a major recognized party in Canada. While she was the only NDP member of the legislature elected in 1981
Nova Scotia general election, 1981
The 30th Nova Scotia general election was held on October 6, 1981 to elect members of the 53rd House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was won by the Progressive Conservative party.* vote share included in "other"....
, and had at most a caucus
Caucus
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a political party or movement, especially in the United States and Canada. As the use of the term has been expanded the exact definition has come to vary among political cultures.-Origin of the term:...
of three 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....
(MLAs), she raised the party's profile and become a well known advocate for the poor and disadvantaged. In a reversal of earlier times it was under McDonough's leadership that either the CCF or the NDP was able to win seats on the mainland for the first time. At the same time the NDP lost all its Cape Breton seats in the 1981 election and was unable to regain any of them under McDonough's leadership. She resigned as Nova Scotia NDP leader in 1994 and went on to be elected leader of the federal NDP in 1995.
Chisholm years: Breakthrough
Under Robert Chisholm's leadership, in 1998Nova Scotia general election, 1998
The 34th Nova Scotia general election was held on March 24, 1998 to elect members of the 57th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. The Liberal party and the New Democratic Party tied in the seat count, with 19 each, while the Progressive Conservatives won 14 seats...
the party vaulted from third place to ahead of the Progressive Conservatives, and won 19 seats in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
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...
, the same number of seats as won by the Liberals. The Liberals formed a minority government
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
with the support of 14 Progressive Conservatives (Tories), the latter who had also improved their standings. The prospect of an NDP government seemed imminent.
However, the party was unable to improve on its standings in 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...
. But with 11 seats in the legislature with 29.9% of the vote, it edged out the Liberals and were able to retain "Official Opposition" status when the Tories formed a majority government
Majority government
A majority government is when the governing party has an absolute majority of seats in the legislature or parliament in a parliamentary system. This is as opposed to a minority government, where even the largest party wins only a plurality of seats and thus must constantly bargain for support from...
under John Hamm
John Hamm
John Frederick Hamm, is a Canadian physician and politician and was the 25th Premier of Nova Scotia, Canada.Hamm, a graduate of the University of King's College and Dalhousie University, was a family doctor in his hometown of Stellarton, Nova Scotia, and the president of the Nova Scotia Medical...
. Chisholm's unexpected resignation immediately following the election led to a period of internal party strife, with new leader Helen MacDonald, a former Cape Breton MLA, resigning after barely a year.
Darrell Dexter
The 2003 electionNova Scotia general election, 2003
The 36th Nova Scotia general election was held on August 5, 2003 to elect members of the 59th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada...
resulted in a Tory minority government while the NDP maintained Official Opposition status under new leader Darrell Dexter
Darrell Dexter
Darrell Dexter is a Canadian lawyer, journalist and former naval officer who is serving as the 27th and current Premier of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. A member of the New Democratic Party, he has led the Nova Scotia NDP since 2001. He was elected Premier in 2009 after defeating...
. In the election, the NDP won 15 seats and 31% of the vote, coming slightly behind the Liberals in the popular vote but winning three more seats than the Liberals' 12. 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....
, the NDP managed to capitalise on its position as the Official Opposition to squeeze the Liberal vote, and the party increased its number of seats from 15 to 20, an all time high, and won 34.63% of the vote. Unlike in 2003, in 2006 the NDP came in a clear second, far ahead of the Liberals.
On June 9, 2009, Dexter led the NDP to victory, winning a majority government
Majority government
A majority government is when the governing party has an absolute majority of seats in the legislature or parliament in a parliamentary system. This is as opposed to a minority government, where even the largest party wins only a plurality of seats and thus must constantly bargain for support from...
, and was sworn in as Premier of Nova Scotia
Premier of Nova Scotia
The 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...
on June 19, 2009. With his party's victory, it marks the first time in Canadian provincial politics that an NDP government had been formed in a province east of Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
.
Current elected members
- NOTE: All italicized cabinet postings are the main portfolios for those ministers.
Name Riding Year elected Cabinet Posting Darrell Dexter Darrell DexterDarrell Dexter is a Canadian lawyer, journalist and former naval officer who is serving as the 27th and current Premier of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. A member of the New Democratic Party, he has led the Nova Scotia NDP since 2001. He was elected Premier in 2009 after defeating...Cole Harbour Cole Harbour (electoral district)Cole Harbour 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 1998 is Premier Darrell Dexter of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party....1998 Premier,
Intergovernmental Affairs,
Chair of Treasury and Policy Board,
Aboriginal Affairs,
Military Relations,
Cabinet PresidentFrank Corbett Frank CorbettFrank Corbett is a Canadian politician and member of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia. He represents the riding of Cape Breton Centre for the NDP. He is from New Waterford, Nova Scotia...Cape Breton Centre Cape Breton CentreCape Breton Centre is a provincial electoral district in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly....1998 Deputy Premier,
Public Services,
Communications,
Cabinet Vice PresidentSterling Belliveau Sterling BelliveauSterling Belliveau is a politician in Nova Scotia, Canada. He represents the electoral district of Shelburne in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. In the Executive Council of Nova Scotia, Belliveau serves as Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and Minister of Environment...Shelburne Shelburne (provincial electoral district)Shelburne 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 the 2006 election has been Sterling Belliveau of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party . Belliveau defeated PC L. Eddie...2006 Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Pam Birdsall Pam BirdsallPam Birdsall is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2009 provincial election. She represents the electoral district of Lunenburg as a member of the New Democratic Party.-External links:* * *...Lunenburg Lunenburg (provincial electoral district)The Lunenburg electoral district is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly...2009 Jim Boudreau Jim BoudreauJim Boudreau 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 Guysborough-Sheet Harbour as a member of the New Democratic Party....Guysborough-Sheet Harbour Guysborough-Sheet HarbourGuysborough—Sheet Harbour 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:*Chuck MacNeil, Progressive Conservative...2009 Gary Burrill Gary BurrillGary Burrill 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 Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley as a member of the New Democratic Party....Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley Colchester-Musquodoboit ValleyColchester—Musquodoboit Valley is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.The riding was created in 1993 from Colchester South and Bedford-Musquodoboit Valley...2009 Vicki Conrad Vicki ConradVicki Conrad is a Canadian politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, representing the riding of Queens for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party...Queens Queens (Nova Scotia provincial electoral district)Queens is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.It is located in the South Shore region, bordered by the ridings of Lunenburg West, Shelburne, and Digby Annapolis...2006 Howard Epstein Howard EpsteinHoward Epstein is a Canadian politician, lawyer and part-time law professor.Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, he is an environmentalist, serving as the director of the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax from 1991-1994....Halifax Chebucto Halifax ChebuctoHalifax Chebucto is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.It is one of several ridings within the Halifax Regional Municipality. It encompasses the neighbourhood known informally as West End, Halifax...1998 Bill Estabrooks Bill EstabrooksBill Estabrooks is a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia and currently Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. He represents the riding of Timberlea-Prospect for the NDP....Timberlea-Prospect Timberlea-ProspectTimberlea—Prospect 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 Bill Estabrooks of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party .-Members of the Legislative Assembly:This...1998 Transportation,
Infrastructure Renewal,
Energy,
Conserve Nova Scotia,
Gateway Initiative,
Sydney Tar PondsSydney Tar PondsThe Sydney Tar Ponds are a hazardous waste site on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada.Located on the eastern shore of Sydney Harbour in the former city of Sydney , the Tar Ponds form a tidal estuary at the mouth of Muggah Creek, a freshwater stream that empties into the harbour...
AgencyGordie Gosse Gordie GosseGordie Gosse is a Canadian politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, representing the electoral district of Cape Breton Nova for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party....Cape Breton Nova Cape Breton NovaCape Breton Nova 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 2003 has been Gordie Gosse of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party...2003 Ramona Jennex Ramona JennexRamona Jennex is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2009 provincial election. She represents the electoral district of Kings South as a member of the New Democratic Party. She was previously a schoolteacher. On January 11, 2011 she was appointed...Kings South Kings SouthKing South 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:...2009 Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations,
Emergency Management,
Immigration,
YouthBecky Kent Becky KentBecky Kent is a Canadian politician. She was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage provincial by-election on October 2, 2007...Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage Cole Harbour-Eastern PassageCole Harbour—Eastern Passage is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.Its current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Becky Kent of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party....2007 Ross Landry Ross LandryRoss Landry 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 Pictou Centre as a member of the New Democratic Party. He was named Minister of Justice and Attorney General in the NDP's first...Pictou Centre Pictou CentrePictou Centre 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:...2009 Justice,
Attorney GeneralMaureen MacDonald Maureen MacDonaldMaureen MacDonald is a Canadian politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, representing the riding of Halifax Needham for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party. She was first elected in the 1998 election, and was re-elected in 1999, 2003, 2006 and 2009...Halifax Needham Halifax NeedhamHalifax Needham is a provincial electoral district in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. It has existed since 1967, though its boundaries have changed periodically....1998 Health,
Health Promotion and Protection,
Gaelic AffairsJohn MacDonell John MacDonell (NDP)John MacDonell is a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party. He was first elected in the 1998 election, and was re-elected in 1999, 2003, 2006 and 2009...Hants East Hants EastHants East 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 John MacDonell of the New Democratic Party of Nova Scotia....1998 Agriculture and Natural Resources Clarrie MacKinnon Clarrie MacKinnonClarence "Clarrie" MacKinnon is a Canadian politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in Nova Scotia, Canada. He represents the constituency of Pictou East for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party....Pictou East Pictou EastPictou East 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 the 2006 election is Clarrie MacKinnon of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party who replaced the retiring Jim DeWolfe of...2006 Marilyn More Marilyn MoreMarilyn More is a Canadian politician. She serves as Nova Scotia's Minister of Education, Minister of Labour and Workforce Development, and Minister of Volunteerism in Darrell Dexter's Cabinet. As a member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, she represents the constituency of Dartmouth...Dartmouth South-Portland Valley Dartmouth South-Portland ValleyDartmouth South—Portland Valley is a provincial electoral district in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly....2003 Education,
Labour and Workforce Development,
VolunteerismJim Morton Jim MortonJim Morton 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 Kings North as a member of the New Democratic Party.-External links:* * *...Kings North Kings NorthKings North is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.The electoral district was formed through redistribution in 1956...2009 Percy Paris Percy ParisPercy A. Paris is a Canadian politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He represents the constituency of Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party....Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank Waverley-Fall River-Beaver BankWaverley—Fall River—Beaver Bank is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly....2006 Economic and Rural Development,
Tourism,
Culture and Heritage,
African-Nova Scotian Affairs,
Nova Scotia Business Inc.Charlie Parker Pictou West Pictou WestPictou 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 since 2003 has been Charlie Parker of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party ....1998, 2003 Denise Peterson-Rafuse Denise Peterson-RafuseDenise Peterson-Rafuse is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2009 provincial election. She represents the electoral district of Chester-St...Chester-St. Margaret's Chester-St. Margaret'sChester—St. Margaret's is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. It is located on the South Shore....2009 Community Services,
Seniors,
Advisory Council on the Status of Women,
Disabled Persons' Commission ActSid Prest Eastern Shore Eastern Shore (electoral district)Eastern Shore 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 :* Keith Colwell, Liberal...2009 Leonard Preyra Leonard PreyraLeonard Preyra is a Canadian politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, representing the riding of Halifax Citadel-Sable Island for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party...Halifax Citadel Halifax 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....2006 Gary Ramey Gary RameyGary Ramey 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 Lunenburg West as a member of the New Democratic Party....Lunenburg West Lunenburg 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:...2009 Michele Raymond Michele RaymondMichèle Raymond is a Canadian politician and author. She currently serves as Halifax Atlantic's NDP MLA. A Halifax-area resident since 1963, she received degrees from Yale 1978 and Dalhousie in Linguistics and Law, respectively....Halifax Atlantic Halifax AtlanticHalifax Atlantic 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 Michèle Raymond of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party....2003 Brian Skabar Brian SkabarBrian Skabar is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2009 provincial election. Skabar won the riding of Cumberland North, a traditionally Conservative area once held by Sir Charles Tupper.Skabar, as a candidate of the New Democratic Party, obtained 40...Cumberland North Cumberland NorthCumberland North is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. Prior to 1993, it was part of Cumberland East.The communities of Amherst and Pugwash are within its boundaries....2009 Maurice Smith Maurice Smith (politician)Maurice Smith is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in a by-election on October 20, 2009. He represents the electoral district of Antigonish as a member of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party.-External links:* *...Antigonish Antigonish (provincial electoral district)Antigonish is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. It has existed since 1867 and is one of only four Nova Scotian districts that has existed continuously since Canadian Confederation.The district includes the community...2009 Graham Steele Graham SteeleGraham Steele is Nova Scotia's Minister of Finance and Minister of Acadian Affairs in Darrell Dexter's Cabinet. As a member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, he represents the constituency of Halifax Fairview...Halifax Fairview Halifax FairviewHalifax Fairview is a provincial electoral district in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.It was created in the re-distribution of 1993...2001 Finance,
Acadian Affairs,
Nova Scotia Liquor Corp.Mat Whynott Mat WhynottMat Whynott 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 Hammonds Plains-Upper Sackville as a member of the New Democratic Party....Hammonds Plains-Upper Sackville Hammonds Plains-Upper SackvilleHammonds Plains—Upper Sackville is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly....2009 Dave Wilson Sackville-Cobequid Sackville-CobequidSackville—Cobequid 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 2003 has been Dave Wilson of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party .-Members of the Legislative Assembly:*Dave...2003 Lenore Zann Lenore ZannLenore Zann is a politician as well as a screen, television, stage, and voice actress who has appeared in numerous television shows and films...Truro-Bible Hill Truro-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:...2009
Party leaders
Co-operative Commonwealth Federation- Donald MacDonald (1941–1945)
- Russell CunninghamRussell Cunningham (Canadian politician)Russell Cunningham was a Canadian social democratic politician from Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. He was the leader of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation in Nova Scotia from 1945 until 1953...
(1945–1953) - Michael James MacDonaldMichael James MacDonaldMichael James MacDonald was a union leader, coal miner, volunteer firefighter and politician in Nova Scotia....
(1953–1963)
New Democratic Party
- James H. AitchisonJames H. AitchisonJames Hermiston Aitchison was a Canadian academic and politician and leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party....
(1963 - November 1968) - Jeremy AkermanJeremy AkermanJeremy Bernard Akerman is a former Canadian politician, writer and actor and a former leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party.-Biography:...
(November 1968 - May 1980) - James 'Buddy' MacEachernJames 'Buddy' MacEachernJames "Buddy" MacEachern was a Nova Scotia fisherman and politician. In the 1974 provincial election he was elected to the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly as the NDP member for Cape Breton Centre. When party leader Jeremy Akerman resigned, MacEachern became the party's interim leader by the caucus...
(1980) interim leader - Alexa McDonoughAlexa McDonoughAlexa Ann Shaw McDonough OC is a Canadian politician who became the first woman to lead a major, recognized political party in Canada, when she was elected the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party's leader in 1980...
(1980–1994) - John HolmJohn HolmJohn Holm is a Canadian politician from Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia in the Halifax Regional Municipality.Holm served as the New Democratic Party, Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Sackville from 1984 until it was redistributed in 1993, then continued to serve the...
(1994–1996) - Robert Chisholm (1996–2000)
- Helen MacDonaldHelen MacDonald (Nova Scotia politician)Helen MacDonald is a Canadian politician, who represented the electoral district of Cape Breton-The Lakes in the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia from 1997 to 1999...
(2000–2001) - Darrell DexterDarrell DexterDarrell Dexter is a Canadian lawyer, journalist and former naval officer who is serving as the 27th and current Premier of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. A member of the New Democratic Party, he has led the Nova Scotia NDP since 2001. He was elected Premier in 2009 after defeating...
(2001–present)
Provincial secretaries
- Lloyd ShawLloyd Shaw (socialist)Lloyd Robert Shaw, CM was a Canadian businessman, political activist and organizer, and a member of the Order of Canada.-Life and career:...
(-1949) - Dr. L. P. Rutherford (1949–1950)
- Florence E. Welton (1950–1961)
- John McKinnon (1961–1963)
- Nancy Doull (1963–1965)
- Rae Gilman (1965–1969)
- Peggy Prowse (1969–1971)
- Gordon Flowers (1971–1974)
- Karen Vance (1974–1977)
- Bev Ivan (1978)
- Serena Renner (1979–1981)
- Mary Morrison (1982)
- Brian MacNaulty (1983)
- Rod Dickinson (1984–1986)
- Gayle Cromwell (1986–1987)
- Dennis Theman (1987–1990)
- Sandra Houston (1990–1992)
- Ross Fisher (1992–1996)
- Ron Cavalucci (1996–1997)
- Bruce Cox (1997–1999)
- Joe Fraser (1999–2001)
- Matthew Hebb (2001 - June 2005)
- Karen HaslamKaren HaslamKaren Haslam is a politician in Ontario, Canada. She was a New Democratic Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 1995, and served as a Minister in the government of Bob Rae. Later, she became the Mayor of Stratford, Ontario.-Background:Haslam was a teacher and librarian...
(October 2005 - March 2006) - Ed Wark (2006–2010)
- Joanne Lamey (acting, 2010)
- Mike MacSween (2010 - )
Election results 1933–2009
| Election | # of candidates nominated | # of seats won | # of total votes | % of popular vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 3 | 0 | 2,336 | 0.7% |
| 1937 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| 1941 | 6 | 3 | 18,583 | 7.0% |
| 1945 | 20 | 2 | 39,637 | 13.6% |
| 1949 | 21 | 2 | 32,869 | 9.6% |
| 1953 | 16 | 2 | 23,700 | 6.8% |
| 1956 | 11 | 1 | 9,932 | 3.0% |
| 1960 | 34 | 1 | 31,036 | 8.9% |
| 1963 | 20 | 0 | 14,076 | 4.1% |
| 1967 | 24 | 0 | 17,873 | 5.2% |
| 1970 | 23 | 2 | 25,259 | 6.6% |
| 1974 | 46 | 3 | 55,902 | 13.0% |
| 1978 | 52 | 4 | 63,979 | 14.4% |
| 1981 | 52 | 1 | 76,289 | 18.1% |
| 1984 | 52 | 3 | 65,876 | 15.9% |
| 1988 | 52 | 2 | 74,038 | 15.7% |
| 1993 | 52 | 3 | 86,743 | 17.7% |
| 1998 | 52 | 19 | 155,361 | 34.4% |
| 1999 | 52 | 11 | 129,474 | 29.7% |
| 2003 | 52 | 15 | 126,479 | 30.9% |
| 2006 | 52 | 20 | 140,128 | 34.6% |
| 2009 | 52 | 31 | 186,556 | 45.2% |
- Election results between 1933 and 1963 represent the party during its time as the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation. Since 1963, the party has been called the New Democratic Party.
Sources:
- To 1984: Politics of Nova Scotia: Vol. Two 1896-1988 by J. Murray Beck. Four Post Publications: Tantallon, Nova Scotia, 1988.
- After 1984: Elections Nova Scotia
Youth wing
The youth wing of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party is the Nova Scotia Young New Democrats (NSYND). Founded in the early 1960s, it was not incorporated with a full constitution - aligned with that of the party proper - until 1969.The youth wing was partially responsible for the election of Jeremy Akerman, as leader, at the 1968 Leadership Convention.
In 1994 the NSYND was renamed "The Nova Scotia NDP Youth Wing". At this time the youth wing was quite moderate, encouraging the main party to focus on government and embrace mainstream values such as fiscal responsibility, "one member one vote" and banning corporate and union donations. They also successfully lobbied the party to include more youth members in the party structure. Members and alumni of the youth wing were instrumental in forming NDProgress
NDProgress
NDProgress was a pressure group or faction within the Canadian federal New Democratic Party. Founded in 2000, NDProgress pushed for structural reform of the party as a means of increasing its electoral success....
in 2000.
In a controversial move in 2001 the youth wing was renamed the “New Party Youth Movement” (NPYM). The name change was made to advocate a renewal of the NDP similar the one in 1961 when the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation was a Canadian political party founded in 1932 in Calgary, Alberta, by a number of socialist, farm, co-operative and labour groups, and the League for Social Reconstruction...
(CCF) became the NDP. The “New Party” name was taken from the “New Party” groups formed before the creation of the NDP. The NPYM made a positive impact at the 2001 NSNDP convention pushing the party to adopt a “one member one vote” style of electing its leader, successfully distributed home-made buttons to satire an organized attempt to shame members of the NDP caucus who did not support former leader Helen MacDonald and gaining over 2/3 support from convention delegates for their name change.
The youth wing was reconstituted in 2004 under its current name, the Nova Scotia Young New Democrats (NSYND) and has remained ideologically in step with that of the party proper.
See also
- List of articles about Nova Scotia CCF/NDP members
- List of Nova Scotia political parties
- Nova Scotia New Democratic Party leadership electionsNova Scotia New Democratic Party leadership electionsThis page lists the results of leadership elections held by the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party. The position of party leader was not officially created until the 1966 convention . From the Nova NDP's formation in 1962 until 1966 the party president was James H. Aitchison who served as defacto...