Nova Scotia general election, 2006

Last updated
Nova Scotia general election, 2006
Flag of Nova Scotia.svg
  2003 June 13, 2006 2009  

52 seats of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
27 seats needed for a majority

  First party Second party Third party
  Rodney MacDonald cropped.png Darrell Dexter 2.jpg [[File:"> '''LIB''' </span></div>|frameless|upright=0.5]]
Leader Rodney MacDonald Darrell Dexter Francis MacKenzie
Party Progressive Conservative New Democratic Liberal
Leader since February 11, 2006 June 2, 2002 October 23, 2004
Leader's seat Inverness Cole Harbour Ran in Bedford (lost)
Last election 25 seats, 36.32% 15 seats, 31.00% 12 seats, 31.47%
Seats won 23 20 9
Seat changeDecrease2.svg2Increase2.svg5Decrease2.svg3
Popular vote 160,119 140,128 94,872
Percentage 39.57% 34.63% 23.44%
SwingIncrease2.svg3.33%Increase2.svg3.52%Decrease2.svg7.99%

Nova Scotia Election 2006 - 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

Rodney MacDonald
Progressive Conservative

Premier-designate

Rodney MacDonald
Progressive Conservative

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.

60th General Assembly of Nova Scotia represented Nova Scotia from 2006 to 2009. Its membership was determined in the 2006 Nova Scotia election. The Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia led by Rodney MacDonald formed a minority government.

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).

Canada Country in North America

Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometres, making it the world's second-largest country by total area. Canada's southern border with the United States, stretching some 8,891 kilometres (5,525 mi), is the world's longest bi-national land border. Its capital is Ottawa, and its three largest metropolitan areas are Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. As a whole, Canada is sparsely populated, the majority of its land area being dominated by forest and tundra. Consequently, its population is highly urbanized, with over 80 percent of its inhabitants concentrated in large and medium-sized cities, with 70% of citizens residing within 100 kilometres (62 mi) of the southern border. Canada's climate varies widely across its vast area, ranging from arctic weather in the north, to hot summers in the southern regions, with four distinct seasons.

Contents

Premier Rodney MacDonald, who led a Progressive Conservative minority government in the legislature, called for the election on May 13, 2006, hoping for a majority government to better advance his agenda and a clear mandate for himself as he had not yet fought an election as leader.

Premier of Nova Scotia first minister for the Canadian province of Nova Scotia

The Premier of Nova Scotia is the first minister to the lieutenant governor of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and 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 who is called upon by the lieutenant governor to form a government. As the province's head of government, the premier exercises considerable power.

Rodney MacDonald Canadian politician

Rodney Joseph MacDonald is a Canadian politician, educator and musician who served as the 26th Premier of Nova Scotia from 2006 to 2009 and as MLA for the riding of Inverness in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1999 to 2009.

A minority government, or minority cabinet or minority parliament, is a cabinet formed in a parliamentary system when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament. It is sworn into office, with or without the formal support of other parties, to enable a government to be formed. Under such a government, legislation can only be passed with the support of enough other members of the legislature to provide a majority, encouraging multi-partisanship. In bicameral parliaments, the term relates to the situation in chamber whose confidence is considered most crucial to the continuance in office of the government.

Ultimately, MacDonald was returned to power leading another, slightly smaller, minority government against a strengthened New Democratic Party sitting as the Official Opposition and a weakened Liberal Party. Liberal leader Francis MacKenzie was defeated in his riding of Bedford.

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.

Francis MacKenzie is a former leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party. He won the leadership for the party on October 23, 2004.

Timeline

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.

The Executive Council of Nova Scotia is the cabinet of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.

Campaign

MacKenzie was an outspoken critic of the governing Tories and accused them of living in a "fantasy world" due to their promise to cut taxes and increase spending in the 2006-07 budget. [2]

No single issue dominated the election campaign, with all parties offering up various promises for university students to seniors. [3]

Opinion polling

A March 2006 poll by Corporate Research Associates asked voters who they would prefer as premier, 36 per cent of respondents picked Premier Rodney MacDonald, compared to 23 per cent for Darrell Dexter and 16 per cent for Francis MacKenzie. The same poll showed the Progressive Conservatives in the lead with 36 percent of voters compared to 29 percent for the New Democrats and 27 percent for the Liberals. [2]

Results

The Progressive Conservatives gained several points in the popular vote, but made a net loss of two seats, with losses to the NDP partially countered by the PCs doubling their representation on MacDonald's native Cape Breton Island at the expense of the Liberals. The gap between the Liberals and NDP also significantly increased, in both the popular vote and seat count; while the Liberals and NDP had previously been nearly even, the NDP gained a significant advantage on the Liberals and moved into position as the primary opposition to the governing PCs.

Results by party

PartyParty leader# of
candidates
SeatsPopular vote
2003 Dissolution Elected% Change#%Change
  Progressive Conservative Rodney MacDonald 52252523-8.0%160,11939.57%+3.33%
  New Democratic Darrell Dexter 52151520+33.3%140,12834.63%+3.52%
  Liberal Francis MacKenzie 5112109-10.0%94,87223.44%-7.99%
Green Nick Wright 52* 0 0 0%9,4112.33%*
 Independents301 0 -100%1530.04% 
 Vacant1 
Total210525252 404,683  

* The Green Party did not contest the 2003 election.

Results by region

Party name HRM C.B. Valley S. Shore Fundy Central Total
Parties winning seats in the legislature:
  Progressive Conservative Seats:34355323
  Popular vote: 31.22%42.62%36.14%49.08%54.06%42.90%39.59%
  New Democratic Party Seats:132-21220
  Popular vote: 46.57%25.58%23.44%32.29%26.49%34.44%34.50%
  Liberal Seats:234---9
  Popular vote: 19.29%29.80%38.35%16.46%16.70%21.03%23.56%
Parties not winning seats in the legislature:
Green Popular vote: 2.92%1.83%2.07%2.16%2.72%1.58%2.31%
 Independents Popular vote: -0.17% - -0.03%0.05%0.04%
Total seats: 189776552

Retiring incumbents

Progressive Conservative
New Democratic
Independent

Nominated candidates

Valley

Electoral DistrictCandidates Incumbent
 PC NDP Liberal Green Independent
Annapolis Blair Hannam Calum MacKenzie Stephen McNeil Ken McGowan Stephen McNeil
Clare Arnold LeBlanc Paul Comeau Wayne Gaudet Diane Doucet-Bean Wayne Gaudet
Digby—Annapolis Jimmy MacAlpineAndrew Oliver Harold Theriault Namron Bean Harold Theriault
Hants West Chuck Porter Sean Bennett Paula Lunn Sam Schurman Ron Russell
Kings North Mark Parent Jim Morton Madonna Spinazola Christopher Alders Mark Parent
Kings South David Morse David Mangle Ray SavageSteven McGowan David Morse
Kings West John Prall Greg Hubbert Leo Glavine Nistal Prem de Boer Leo Glavine

South Shore

Electoral DistrictCandidates Incumbent
 PC NDP Liberal Green Independent
Argyle Chris d'Entremont Charles Muise Christian Surette Patricia Saunders Chris d'Entremont
Chester-St. Margaret's Judy Streatch Jane Matheson Rick Fraughton Joanne MacKinnon Judy Streatch
Lunenburg Michael Baker Chris Heide Rick Welsford Stuart Simpson Michael Baker
Lunenburg West Carolyn Bolivar-Getson Bill Smith Martin Bell Brendan MacNeill Carolyn Bolivar-Getson
Queens Kerry Morash Vicki Conrad Margaret Whitney Kerry Morash
Shelburne Eddie Nickerson Sterling Belliveau Kirk Cox Derek Jones Cecil O'Donnell
Yarmouth Richard Hurlburt John Deveau Dolores Atwood Matt Granger Richard Hurlburt

Fundy

Electoral DistrictCandidates Incumbent
 PC NDP Liberal Green Independent
Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley Brooke Taylor Gary Burrill Carolyn Matthews Leona MacLeod Brooke Taylor
Colchester North Karen Casey Rob Assels Bob Taylor Judy Davis Bill Langille
Cumberland North Ernie Fage Kim Cail Bruce Alan Fage Darryl Whetter Ernie Fage
Cumberland South Murray Scott Andrew Kernohan Mary Dee MacPherson James Dessart David Raymond Amos Murray Scott
Hants East Wayne Fiander John MacDonell Malcolm A. MacKay Michael Hartlan John MacDonell
Truro-Bible Hill Jamie Muir Jim Harpell Ron Chisholm Barton Cutten Jamie Muir

Central Halifax

Electoral DistrictCandidates Incumbent
 PC NDP Liberal Green Independent
Halifax Chebucto Sean Phillips Howard Epstein Peter VernerChristopher Harborne Howard Epstein
Halifax Citadel Bill Black Leonard Preyra Devin Maxwell Nick Wright Vacant
Halifax Clayton Park Mary Ann McGrath Linda Power Diana Whalen Sheila Richardson Diana Whalen
Halifax Fairview Bruce MacCharles Graham Steele Cecil MacDougall Kris MacLellan Graham Steele
Halifax Needham Andrew Black Maureen MacDonald Errol Gaum Amanda Myers Maureen MacDonald

Suburban Halifax

Electoral DistrictCandidates Incumbent
 PC NDP Liberal Green Independent
Bedford Len Goucher John Buckland Francis MacKenzie Mary McLaughlan Peter G. Christie
Halifax Atlantic Bruce Cooke Michèle Raymond Jim Hoskins Rebecca Mosher Michele Raymond
Hammonds Plains-Upper Sackville Barry Barnet Mat Whynott Pam Streeter Scott Cleghorn Barry Barnet
Sackville-Cobequid Steve Craig Dave Wilson David Major Elizabeth Nicolson Dave Wilson
Timberlea-Prospect Jaunita Cirtwell Bill Estabrooks Lisa Mullin Thomas Trappenberg Bill Estabrooks
Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank Gary Hines Percy Paris Thomas Deal William Lang Gary Hines

Dartmouth/Cole Harbour/Eastern Shore

Electoral DistrictCandidates Incumbent
 PC NDP Liberal Green Independent
Cole Harbour Sheila McKeand Darrell Dexter Stephen Beehan Michael McFadden Darrell Dexter
Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage Don McIver Kevin Deveaux Brian Churchill Beverly Woodfield Kevin Deveaux
Dartmouth East Jim Cormier Joan Massey Tracey Devereaux Elizabeth Perry Joan Massey
Dartmouth North Troy Myers Trevor Zinck Ian Murray Alex Donaldson Jerry Pye
Dartmouth South-Portland Valley Tim Olive Marilyn More Brian Hiltz Daniel Melvin Marilyn More
Eastern Shore Bill Dooks Sid Prest Judith Cabrita Elizabeth van Dreunen Bill Dooks
Preston Dwayne Provo Douglas Sparks Keith Colwell David Farrell Keith Colwell

Central Nova

Electoral DistrictCandidates Incumbent
 PC NDP Liberal Green Independent
Antigonish Angus MacIsaac Andrew MacDonald Danny MacIsaac Judy Dowden Angus MacIsaac
Guysborough-Sheet Harbour Ron Chisholm Jim Boudreau David Horton Marike Finaly-de Monchy Ron Chisholm
Pictou Centre Pat Dunn Danny MacGillivray Troy MacCulloch Samuel M. ClarkDennis Tate John Hamm
Pictou East Sue Uhren Clarrie MacKinnon Danny Walsh John A. Clark Jim DeWolfe
Pictou West Ronald Baillie Charlie Parker Sandy MacKay Douglas Corbett Charlie Parker

Cape Breton

Electoral DistrictCandidates Incumbent
 PC NDP Liberal Green Independent
Cape Breton Centre Darren Bruckschwaiger Frank Corbett Laura Lee MacDonald Frances Oomen Frank Corbett
Cape Breton North Cecil Clarke Russell MacDonald Fred Tilley Mark Doucet Cecil Clarke
Cape Breton Nova Todd Marsman Gordie Gosse Mel Crowe Chris Milburn Gordie Gosse
Cape Breton South Scott Boyd Jamie Crane Manning MacDonald Stephen Doucet Manning MacDonald
Cape Breton West Alfie MacLeod Terry Crawley Dave LeBlanc Michael Milburn Russell MacKinnon
Glace Bay Mark Bettens Myrtle Campbell David Wilson Todd Pettigrew Dave Wilson
Inverness Rodney MacDonald Tim Murphy Mary MacLennan John Gibson Rodney MacDonald
Richmond John Greene Mary Pat Cude Michel Samson Noreen Hartlen Michel Samson
Victoria-The Lakes Keith Bain Joan O'Liari Gerald Sampson Michelle Smith Stemer MacLeod Gerald Sampson

Opinion polls

Date Source PC NDP Liberal
5 Jun 2006 Corporate Research Associates 38 36 20
23 May 2006 Corporate Research Associates 34 27 30
Feb 2006 Corporate Research Associates 36 29 27
Nov 2005 Corporate Research Associates 35 32 28
Aug 2005 Corporate Research Associates 3132 26
May 2005 Corporate Research Associates 36 30 27
Mar 2005 Corporate Research Associates 38 24 30
Dec 2004 Corporate Research Associates 35 28 30
Sep 2004 Corporate Research Associates 29 3031
May 2004 Corporate Research Associates 2833 30
Feb 2004 Corporate Research Associates 31 30 28
Nov 2003 Corporate Research Associates 2832 29
5 Aug 2003 Election 36.3 31.0 31.5

Notes

Related Research Articles

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References