Nova Scotia general election, 2003

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Nova Scotia general election, 2003
Flag of Nova Scotia.svg
←  1999 August 5, 2003 2006  →
52 seats of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
27 seats needed for a majority

  First party Second party Third party
  Jhamm03election.JPG Darrell Dexter 2.jpg
LIB
Leader John Hamm Darrell Dexter Danny Graham
Party Progressive Conservative New Democratic Liberal
Leader since October 28, 1995 June 2, 2002 April 13, 2002
Leader's seat Pictou Centre Cole Harbour Halifax Citadel
Last election 30 11 11
Seats won 25 15 12
Seat changeDecrease2.svg5Increase2.svg4Increase2.svg1
Popular vote 148,182 126,479 128,417
Percentage 36.32% 31.00% 31.47%
SwingDecrease2.svg2.88%Increase2.svg1.03%Increase2.svg1.66%

Nova Scotia general election, 2003 results by riding.svg

Popular vote by riding. As this is an FPTP election, seat totals are not determined by popular vote, but instead via results by each riding.
Premier before election

John Hamm
Progressive Conservative

Premier-designate

John Hamm
Progressive Conservative

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. The ruling Progressive Conservative Party, led by Premier John Hamm, was reduced to a minority government.

59th General Assembly of Nova Scotia represented Nova Scotia from 2003 to 2006, its membership being set in the 2003 Nova Scotia election. No party held a majority of the seats, but the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia, under John Hamm, held the most and thus formed a minority government. Rodney MacDonald became PC leader and premier in February 2006 after Hamm's resignation. The Assembly was dissolved May 13, 2006, at MacDonald's request.

Nova Scotia Province of Canada

Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime Provinces, and one of the four provinces that form Atlantic Canada. Its provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the second-smallest of Canada's ten provinces, with an area of 55,284 square kilometres (21,300 sq mi), including Cape Breton and another 3,800 coastal islands. As of 2016, the population was 923,598. Nova Scotia is Canada's second-most-densely populated province, after Prince Edward Island, with 17.4 inhabitants per square kilometre (45/sq mi).

John Hamm Canadian politician

John Frederick Hamm, is a Canadian physician and politician and was the 25th Premier of Nova Scotia from 1999 to 2006.

Contents

Campaign

The election was called by Progressive Conservatives, who decided to hold a rare summer election in the hope of strengthening their hold on the legislature. Running against them were the New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Darrell Dexter, and the Liberal Party, led by Danny Graham.

The Nova Scotia New Democratic Party is a progressive, social-democratic provincial party in Nova Scotia, Canada. It is aligned with the federal New Democratic Party (NDP). It was founded as the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) in 1932, and became the New Democratic Party in 1961. It became the governing party of Nova Scotia following the 2009 Nova Scotia election, winning 31 seats in the Legislature, under the leadership of Premier Darrell Dexter. It is the first New Democratic Party in Atlantic Canada to form a government. The party faced electoral defeat in the 2013 election, losing 24 seats, including Dexter's seat. The current leader is Halifax Chebucto MLA Gary Burrill, who is credited with bringing the party back to its left-wing roots, after the centrist policies enacted by Dexter. The party currently holds 7 seats in the Legislature, and had its lowest showing in the popular vote since 1993 during the 2017 Nova Scotia general election.

Darrell Dexter Canadian politician

Darrell Elvin Dexter is a Canadian lawyer, journalist and former naval officer who served as the 27th Premier of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia from 2009 to 2013. A member of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party, he served as party leader from 2001 to 2013. He became Premier in 2009 after his party defeated the governing Progressive Conservative Party, leading the first NDP government in Atlantic Canada and the second east of Manitoba. His government was defeated in the 2013 election, becoming the first Nova Scotia government in 131 years to be denied a second mandate; Dexter himself was defeated in his constituency by 21 votes. Dexter now serves as a lobbyist for the marijuana industry.

Danny Graham is a lawyer and former politician in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Hamm's party ran on a policy of fiscal management, tax cuts, and on their record of fulfilling most of their promises. While the NDP agreed in principle to tax cuts, their main cause was the creation of a public auto insurance company. The Liberals were the only party to criticize the tax cuts.

A tax cut is a reduction in the rate of tax charged by a government. The immediate effects of a tax cut are a decrease in the real income of the government and an increase in the real income of those whose tax rates have been lowered. Due to the perceived benefit in growing real incomes among tax payers, politicians have sought to claim their proposed tax credits as tax cuts. In the longer term, however, the macroeconomic effects of a tax cut are generally not predictable because they depend on how the taxpayers use their additional income and how the government adjusts to its reduced income.

For the most part, the campaign was quiet and uneventful. Hamm received criticism for a great number of spending programs, including a $150 tax rebate cheque sent to Nova Scotians right before the election. The party was also criticized for holding an election in the summer when most people have other concerns. Darrell Dexter's friendly, non-confrontational style, was popular with many voters, and was a marked change from his party's usually strident socialism. Danny Graham, a young leader, was popular, but failed to make much of a mark.

The election was considered a mild failure for the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives, and something of a success for the NDP.

This election is also notable for being one of the last Canadian provincial elections in which British subjects could vote (a tiny number can still vote provincially in Saskatchewan if they were qualified in 1971). [1]

A British subject is a member of a class of British nationality largely granted under limited circumstances to people connected with Ireland or British India born before 1949. The term itself has historically had several different meanings, but is currently used to refer to this nationality class. Individuals with this nationality are British nationals and Commonwealth citizens, but not British citizens. The status does not automatically grant the holder right of abode in the United Kingdom but the vast majority of British subjects have this entitlement. Nationals of this class without right of abode are subject to immigration controls when entering the UK.

Saskatchewan Province of Canada

Saskatchewan is a prairie and boreal province in western Canada, the only province without a natural border. It has an area of 651,900 square kilometres (251,700 sq mi), nearly 10 percent of which is fresh water, composed mostly of rivers, reservoirs, and the province's 100,000 lakes.

General results

Results by party

PartyParty leader# of
candidates		SeatsPopular vote
1999 Dissolution Elected% Change#%Change
  Progressive Conservative John Hamm 52303125-16.7%148,18236.32%-2.88%
  New Democratic Darrell Dexter 52111115+36.4%126,47931.00%+1.03%
  Liberal Danny Graham 5211712+9.1%128,41731.47%+1.66%
 Independents6010 -100%1,6940.42%+0.13%
Nova Scotia Party Gerry Rodgers160000%1,6370.40%-0.33%
Marijuana Michael Patriquen11*000%1,6080.39%*
 Vacant2 
Total189525252 408,017100% 

Results by region

Party name HRM C.B. Valley S. Shore Fundy Central Total
Parties winning seats in the legislature:
  Progressive Conservative Seats:42375425
  Popular vote:30.97%26.68%38.41%45.57%50.67%42.94%36.32%
  New Democratic Party Seats:112--1115
  Popular vote:40.67%26.21%23.15%25.10%27.51%25.59%31.00%
  Liberal Seats:354---12
  Popular vote:27.14%45.71%37.13%29.06%20.85%29.21%31.47%
Parties not winning seats in the legislature:
 Independents Popular vote:0.13%1.40% - -0.74%0.41%0.42%
Nova Scotia Party Popular vote:0.70%-0.75%0.27%0.23%-0.40%
Marijuana Popular vote:0.40%-0.56%--1.85%0.39%
Total seats:189776552

Retiring incumbents

Liberal

Donald 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.

Lunenburg West

Lunenburg West is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. It was created in 1956 from the riding of Lunenburg County.

James Alexander Smith is a Canadian politician. He represented the electoral district of Dartmouth East in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1984 to 2003. He was a member of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.

Progressive Conservative
New Democratic

Nominated candidates

Valley

Electoral DistrictCandidates Incumbent
 PC NDP Liberal Nova Scotia Marijuana Independent
Annapolis Frank Chipman Adrian Nette Stephen McNeil Harry Wilson Frank Chipman
Clare Marc Boudreau Don Melanson Wayne Gaudet Wayne Gaudet
Digby-Annapolis Gordon Balser Deborah Trask Harold Theriault Gordon Reid Gordon Balser
Hants West Ron Russell Sean Bennett Randy Matheson Connie BrauerChummy Anthony Ron Russell
Kings North Mark Parent Jim Morton Michael Landry Ben Friesen Mark Parent
Kings South David Morse David Mangle Maura Ryan Victor Harris David Morse
Kings West Jon Carey Greg Hubbert Leo Glavine Jon Carey

South Shore

Electoral DistrictCandidates Incumbent
 PC NDP Liberal Nova Scotia Marijuana Independent
Argyle Chris d'Entremont Charles Muise Aldric d'Entremont Neil LeBlanc †
Chester-St. Margaret's John Chataway Hinrich Bitter-Suermann Mitt Larsen Sue Gault John Chataway
Lunenburg Michael Baker Chris Heide Jim Davis Michael Baker
Lunenburg West Carolyn Bolivar-Getson David FergusonJohn MacDonald Don Downe †
Queens Kerry Morash Vicki Conrad Win Seaton Kerry Morash
Shelburne Cecil O'Donnell Kendall Stoddard Clifford Huskilson Cecil O'Donnell
Yarmouth Richard Hurlburt Gillian Rowley Phil DeMille Richard Hurlburt

Fundy

Electoral DistrictCandidates Incumbent
 PC NDP Liberal Nova Scotia Marijuana Independent
Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley Brooke Taylor Kathryn Belzer Joan Barnhill Brooke Taylor
Colchester North Bill Langille Garfield Forrest John Davidson Bill Langille
Cumberland North Ernie Fage Kim Cail Marsh Fox Jason Blanch Ernie Fage
Cumberland South Murray Scott Scott McKee Harriet McCready Murray Scott
Hants East Mary Lou LeRoy John MacDonell Larry Matthews Ken Smith John MacDonell
Truro-Bible Hill Jamie Muir Jim Harpell Jeff Yuill Jamie Muir

Central Halifax

Electoral DistrictCandidates Incumbent
 PC NDP Liberal Nova Scotia Marijuana Independent
Halifax Chebucto Sandy Phillips Howard Epstein Kenzie MacKinnon Scott Higgins Howard Epstein
Halifax Citadel Jane Purves Peter Delefes Danny Graham James Marchoine Michael Patriquen Jane Purves
Halifax Clayton Park Mary Ann McGrath Roberta Morrison Diana Whalen Greg Lavern Mary Ann McGrath
Halifax Fairview Bruce MacCharles Graham Steele Susan Hayes David Boyd Graham Steele
Halifax Needham Linda Carvery Maureen MacDonald Mike Rogers Blair Baxter Maureen MacDonald

Suburban Halifax

Electoral DistrictCandidates Incumbent
 PC NDP Liberal Nova Scotia Marijuana Independent
Bedford Peter Christie Bob Watson Richard Zurawski Peter Christie
Halifax Atlantic Linda Mosher Michele Raymond Ian MacKinnon Gerry Rodgers Robert Chisholm †
Hammonds Plains Upper Sackville Barry Barnet Brenda Haley Pam Streeter Melanie Patriquen Barry Barnet
Sackville-Cobequid John Giannakos Dave Wilson Bob Harvey Michael D. Patriquen John Holm †
Timberlea-Prospect Barry Fraser Bill Estabrooks Bruce Holland Bill Estabrooks
Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank Gary Hines Percy Paris David Merrigan Heather Sawers Alex Neron Gary Hines

Dartmouth/Cole Harbour/Eastern Shore

Electoral DistrictCandidates Incumbent
 PC NDP Liberal Nova Scotia Marijuana Independent
Cole Harbour Brian Thomas Darrell Dexter Peter Foy Jessica Gould Darrell Dexter
Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage Henry McInroy Kevin Deveaux Brian Churchill Kallee McPherson Kevin Deveaux
Dartmouth East Terry Degen Joan Massey Debra Barlow Scott Anderson Hugo St-Onge Sebastien Theriault Jim Smith †
Dartmouth North Jane MacKay Jerry Pye Rosemary Godin Pat Gould Marc-Andre Roy Jerry Pye
Dartmouth South-Portland Valley Tim Olive Marilyn More Colini MacEachern Tim Olive
Eastern Shore Bill Dooks Sid Prest Randy Carter Bill Dooks
Preston David Hendsbee Douglas Sparks Keith Colwell Marc-Boris St-Maurice David Hendsbee

Central Nova

Electoral DistrictCandidates Incumbent
 PC NDP Liberal Nova Scotia Marijuana Independent
Antigonish Angus MacIsaac Terry O'Toole David A. Cameron Gene Purdy Angus MacIsaac
Guysborough-Sheet Harbour Ron Chisholm Jim Boudreau Gordon MacDonald Ron Chisholm
Pictou Centre John Hamm Alexander MacIsaac Tim Daley Darryl Gallivan John Hamm
Pictou East Jim DeWolfe Bob Matheson John Fraser Jim DeWolfe
Pictou West Paul Veniot Charlie Parker Ed MacMaster Doug Corbett Muriel Baillie †

Cape Breton

Electoral DistrictCandidates Incumbent
 PC NDP Liberal Nova Scotia Marijuana Independent
Cape Breton Centre Rita Tighe-MacLeod Frank Corbett Basil McGillivray Frank Corbett
Cape Breton North Cecil Clarke Cecil Snow Mike White Cecil Clarke
Cape Breton Nova Todd Marsman Gordie Gosse Mel Crowe Paul MacEwan †
Cape Breton South John Morrison Mike MacSween Manning MacDonald Manning MacDonald
Cape Breton West Ivan Doncaster Douglas MacKinlay Russell MacKinnon Russell MacKinnon
Glace Bay Mark Bettens Vince Hall David Wilson David Wilson
Inverness Rodney MacDonald Tim Murphy Debbie Gillis Rodney MacDonald
Richmond Richie Cotton Clair Rankin Michel Samson Michel Samson
Victoria-The Lakes Keith Bain Nancy MacKeigan Gerald Sampson Brian Boudreau Stemer MacLeod Brian Boudreau

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Voters' List Being Prepared In New Way Nova Scotia Government
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