Nova Scotia Liberal Party leadership election
2021 Nova Scotia Liberal Party leadership election Turnout 8,132 Delegates
The 2021 Nova Scotia Liberal Party leadership election took place on February 6[ 2] [ 3] to elect a leader to replace Premier Stephen McNeil , who on August 6, 2020, announced his pending resignation[ 4] after leading the party since 2007 and returning the party to government in 2013 after being out of power for fourteen years.
Stephen McNeil announced on August 6, 2020, pending resignation as party leader and premier, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nova Scotia . McNeil remained as Premier and leader until the new leader was chosen.[ 4]
August 6 – Stephen McNeil announces his pending resignation as Premier of Nova Scotia and leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.[ 4]
August 22 – The party unveils the base set of rules for the election.[ 2] [ 3]
September 14 – The official rules for the leadership election will be released.[ 2] [ 3]
September 30 – Labi Kousoulis declares his candidacy.[ 1]
October 5 – Iain Rankin declares his candidacy.[ 5] [ 6]
October 8 – Randy Delorey declares his candidacy.[ 7]
October 9 – Last day to register as a candidate.[ 2] [ 3]
January 7 – Last day to become an eligible party member.[ 2] [ 3]
Randy Delorey
Randy Delorey was the MLA for Antigonish , having served since 2013. Prior to announcing his candidacy, Delorey had been serving as Minister of Gaelic Affairs since 2013 and the Minister of Health and Wellness since 2017. Previously, he has served as the Minister of the Environment (2013–2015; 2015–2016) and as Minister of Finance and Treasury Board (2015–2017).
Candidacy announced: October 9, 2020[ 7]
Date registered with Elections Nova Scotia:
Campaign website: www .votedelorey .com
Policies
Endorsements of Randy Delorey (31)
MLAs: (7)
Federal politicians: (2)
Municipal politicians:
Former MLAs:
Former federal politicians: (1)
Former municipal politicians: (2)
Riding Association Executives: (13)
Kim Robbins (Past President, Fairview-Clayton Park Liberal Association)[ 10]
Claude Poirier (President, Inverness Liberal Association)[ 11]
Tania Meloni (President, Clayton Park West Liberal Association)[ 12]
Burnell Lyons (Past President, Kings—Hants Liberal Association)[ 13]
Shawn Nicholson (President, Halifax Needham Liberal Association)[ 14]
Paul d'Eon (President, Hammonds Plains-Lucasville Liberal Association)[ 15]
Nicholas d'Entremont (Former Youth Chair, Argyle-Barrington Liberal Association)[ 16]
Dr. Paul Doucette (President, Bedford Basin Liberal Association)[ 17]
Jim McKenna (President, Pictou Centre Liberal Association)
George Mbamalu (President, Cole Harbour Liberal Association)
Andi Heffernan (President, Cape Breton Centre Liberal Association)
Kerry O'Hearn (President, Preston-Dartmouth Liberal Association)
John Robart (President, Lunenburg Liberal Association)
Other prominent individuals: (7)
Organizations:
Media:
Total endorsements: 31
Labi Kousoulis
Labi Kousoulis was the MLA for Halifax Citadel-Sable Island , having served since 2013. Additionally, he was the Minister of Labour and Advanced Education since 2017, having resigned to run in the leadership race.[ 22] He previously served as the Minister of the Public Service Commission (2013–2017) and Minister of Internal Services (2014–2017).[ 23] [ 24]
Candidacy announced: September 30, 2020[ 1]
Date registered with Elections Nova Scotia:
Campaign website: votelabi .ca
Policies
Endorsements of Labi Kousoulis (13)
MLAs: (3)
Federal politicians:
Municipal politicians:
Former MLAs: (1)
Former federal politicians: (3)
Former municipal politicians:
Riding Association Executives: (1)
Other prominent individuals: (3)
Organizations:
Media:
Total endorsements: 13
Iain Rankin
Iain Rankin was the MLA for Timberlea-Prospect , having served since 2013. Rankin served in cabinet as the Minister of Lands and Forestry since 2018, having resigned prior to announcing his candidacy. In addition, he previously served as Minister of Environment from 2017 to 2018 and was head of the Nova Scotia francophone parliamentarian association from 2014 to 2017.
Candidacy announced: October 5, 2020[ 6]
Date registered with Elections Nova Scotia:
Campaign website: voterankin .ca
Policies
Endorsements of Iain Rankin (22)
MLAs: (6)
Federal politicians: (1)
Municipal politicians: (2)
Former MLAs: (3)
Former federal politicians: (1)
Former municipal politicians:
Riding Association Executives: (7)
Other prominent individuals: (2)
Organizations:
Media:
Total endorsements: 22
Joanne Bernard , former Minister of Community Services; former MLA for Dartmouth North [ 28]
Scott Brison , former MP for Kings—Hants ; former federal Minister of Public Works and Government Services ; former federal President of the Treasury Board [ 29]
Bill Casey , former MP for Cumberland-Colchester (1988–1993, 1997–2009, 2015–2019), former Chair of the House of Commons Health Committee [ 30]
Zach Churchill , Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development; MLA for Yarmouth [ 31]
Sean Fraser , MP for Central Nova [ 32]
Andy Fillmore , MP for Halifax [ 33]
Laurie Graham, chief of staff to Stephen McNeil [ 34]
Bernadette Jordan , federal Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard ; former federal Minister of Rural Economic Development ; MP for South Shore—St. Margarets [ 35]
Geoff MacLellan , Minister of Business, Trade, and Service; MLA for Glace Bay [ 36]
Lena Metlege Diab , Minister of Immigration; MLA for Halifax Armdale [ 35] [ 37]
Kelly Regan , Minister of Community Services; MLA for Bedford ; wife of former Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada Geoff Regan [ 38]
Darrell Samson , federal Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs; MP for Sackville-Preston-Chezzetcook [ 39]
Mike Savage , Mayor of Halifax ; former MP for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour [ 33]
Debates among candidates for the 2021 Liberal Party of Nova Scotia leadership election
No.
Date
Time
Place
Participants
P Participant N Non-invitee A Absent invitee O Out of race (exploring or withdrawn)
Iain Rankin
Labi Kousoulis
Randy Delorey
Nova Scotia Liberal Party leadership election debates
1
December 7, 2020
7 p.m. AST
Virtual
P
P
P
2
December 17, 2020
7 p.m. AST
Virtual
P
P
P
3
January 6, 2021
7 p.m. AST
Virtual
P
P
P
= Eliminated from next round
= Winner
Candidate
Ballot 1
Ballot 2
Name
Votes
Points
Votes
Points
Iain Rankin
3,075 39.02%
2,206.00 40.11%
3,988 52.31%
2,882.31 52.41%
Labi Kousoulis
2,904 35.71%
2,023.69 36.79%
3,636 47.69%
2,617.69 47.59%
Randy Delorey
1,895 24.05%
1,270.31 23.10%
Eliminated
TOTAL
7,881
5,500
7,624
5,500
Ballot 1
Ballot 2
Riding
Iain Rankin
Labi Kousoulis
Randy Delorey
Total
Iain Rankin
Labi Kousoulis
Total
Votes
Points
Votes
Points
Votes
Points
Votes
Votes
Points
Votes
Points
Votes
Annapolis
52
44.44
34
29.06
31
26.50
117
63
54.31
53
45.69
116
Antigonish
121
36.45
35
10.54
176
53.01
332
214
70.86
88
29.14
302
Argyle
29
32.22
24
26.67
37
41.11
90
40
47.06
45
52.94
85
Bedford Basin
73
27.55
100
37.74
92
34.72
265
129
50.99
124
49.01
253
Bedford South
69
23.55
108
36.86
116
39.59
293
115
44.92
141
55.08
256
Cape Breton Centre-Whitney Pier
48
53.93
30
33.71
11
12.36
89
55
62.50
33
37.50
88
Cape Breton East
59
52.21
32
28.32
22
19.47
113
74
66.07
38
33.93
112
Chester-St. Margaret's
77
45.56
54
31.95
38
22.49
169
97
57.40
72
42.60
169
Clare
29
45.31
26
40.63
9
14.06
64
34
54.84
28
45.16
62
Clayton Park West
97
24.74
157
40.05
138
35.20
392
166
43.68
214
56.32
380
Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley
33
39.29
39
46.43
12
14.29
84
35
42.17
48
57.83
83
Colchester North
40
40.82
30
30.61
28
28.57
98
54
56.84
41
43.16
95
Cole Harbour
16
27.59
25
43.10
17
29.31
58
23
41.82
32
58.18
55
Cole Harbour-Dartmouth
42
23.33
85
47.22
53
29.44
180
73
41.95
101
58.05
174
Cumberland North
36
51.43
22
31.43
12
17.14
70
43
61.43
27
38.57
70
Cumberland South
20
30.77
40
61.54
5
7.69
65
24
36.92
41
63.08
65
Dartmouth East
44
27.16
67
41.36
51
31.48
162
70
44.59
87
55.41
157
Dartmouth North
34
29.31
61
52.59
21
18.10
116
43
38.05
70
61.95
113
Dartmouth South
74
47.74
55
35.48
26
16.77
155
86
55.84
68
44.16
154
Digby-Annapolis
13
18.31
31
43.66
27
38.03
71
34
51.52
32
48.48
66
Eastern Passage
16
16.49
27
27.84
54
55.67
97
32
34.04
62
65.96
94
Eastern Shore
53
55.21
28
29.17
15
15.63
96
58
61.05
37
38.95
95
Fairview-Clayton Park
47
18.50
158
62.20
49
19.29
254
70
28.23
178
71.77
248
Glace Bay-Dominion
27
27.27
31
31.31
41
41.41
99
42
47.73
46
52.27
88
Guysborough-Tracadie
24
38.10
26
41.27
13
20.63
63
29
47.54
32
52.46
61
Halifax Armdale
74
27.92
136
51.32
55
20.75
265
93
36.47
162
63.53
255
Halifax Atlantic
74
48.05
55
35.71
25
16.23
154
86
56.95
65
43.05
151
Halifax Chebucto
75
30.12
134
53.82
40
16.06
249
96
39.51
147
60.49
243
Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
102
27.57
193
52.16
75
20.27
370
137
38.27
221
61.73
358
Halifax Needham
101
41.22
112
45.71
32
13.06
245
119
48.97
124
51.03
243
Hammonds Plains-Lucasville
77
48.73
34
21.52
47
29.75
158
106
68.83
48
31.17
154
Hants East
102
56.35
24
13.26
55
30.39
181
125
71.43
50
28.57
175
Hants West
59
58.42
23
22.77
19
18.81
101
68
68.69
31
31.31
99
Inverness
95
62.50
19
12.50
38
25.00
152
121
81.21
28
18.79
149
Kings North
72
61.02
35
29.66
11
9.32
118
80
68.38
37
31.62
117
Kings South
104
76.47
19
13.97
13
9.56
136
110
82.71
23
17.29
133
Kings West
39
42.86
28
30.77
24
26.37
91
48
55.17
39
44.83
87
Lunenburg
31
29.81
24
23.08
49
47.12
104
51
52.58
46
47.42
97
Lunenburg West
44
51.16
29
33.72
13
15.12
86
47
54.65
39
43.35
86
Northside-Westmount
45
49.45
38
41.76
8
8.79
91
49
54.44
41
45.56
90
Pictou Centre
28
20.44
83
60.58
26
18.98
137
45
33.58
89
66.42
134
Pictou East
28
31.11
48
53.33
14
15.56
90
34
38.64
54
61.36
88
Pictou West
38
43.18
31
35.23
19
21.59
88
46
53.49
40
46.51
86
Preston
25
31.25
43
53.75
12
15.00
80
28
36.36
49
63.64
77
Queens
22
45.83
17
35.42
9
18.75
48
26
54.17
22
45.83
48
Richmond
35
30.70
47
41.23
32
28.07
114
49
43.36
64
56.64
113
Sackville-Cobequid
30
31.58
47
49.47
18
18.95
95
40
43.01
53
56.99
93
Sackville-Uniacke
15
20.55
43
58.90
15
20.55
73
21
30.88
47
69.12
68
Shelburne
28
58.33
9
18.75
11
22.92
48
32
66.67
16
33.33
48
Sydney-Membertou
91
41.94
112
51.61
14
6.45
217
97
45.33
117
54.67
214
Timberlea-Prospect
239
76.60
50
16.03
23
7.37
312
249
81.11
58
18.89
307
Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River
46
34.07
62
45.93
27
20.00
135
57
43.51
74
56.49
131
Victoria-The Lakes
39
47.56
27
32.93
16
19.5
82
49
61.25
31
38.75
80
Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank
38
35.51
39
36.45
30
28.04
107
53
50.48
52
49.52
105
Yarmouth
106
68.39
18
11.61
31
20.00
155
123
79.87
31
20.13
154
^ a b c "Halifax MLA Labi Kousoulis 1st to join the race to replace Stephen McNeil as premier" . September 30, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020 .
^ a b c d e "Nova Scotia Liberal Party unveils plan for upcoming leadership race" . August 22, 2020. Retrieved August 28, 2020 .
^ a b c d e "Nova Scotia Liberals to usher in new premier in February" . August 22, 2020. Retrieved August 28, 2020 .
^ a b c Jerrett, Andrea; Pace, Natasha (August 6, 2020). "Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil to step down, leave public office" . CTV News Atlantic . Retrieved August 6, 2020 .
^ "Iain Rankin enters Liberal leadership race" . October 5, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2020 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "2nd Liberal to enter N.S. leadership race wants more action on climate change" . October 5, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2020 .
^ a b c d e f g h i "Randy Delorey enters N.S. Liberal leadership race" . October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2020 .
^ Randy Delorey (December 17, 2020). "It means so much to have the confidence of my colleague, Rafah DiCostanzo. Thank you, Rafah" . Twitter . Retrieved December 17, 2020 .
^ a b Delorey, Randy [@RandyDelorey] (December 11, 2020). "Grateful for the support of Phil Mooney, the former Mayor of Yarmouth. Thanks, Phil! https://t.co/0lJ7zpn8Y2" (Tweet ). Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Twitter .
^ Delorey, Randy [@RandyDelorey] (December 13, 2020). "Grateful to have your support in this leadership race, Kim. https://t.co/1wxvVwgsVZ" (Tweet ). Archived from the original on December 13, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Twitter .
^ Delorey, Randy [@RandyDelorey] (December 4, 2020). "Thankful to have the support of Claude Poirier, the president of the Inverness Liberal Association, in my campaign to be the next leader of our party and Premier of Nova Scotia. https://t.co/U0UF46jh8C" (Tweet ). Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Twitter .
^ Delorey, Randy [@RandyDelorey] (December 12, 2020). "I'm thankful to have the support of Tania Meloni, President of the Clayton Park West Liberal Association. https://t.co/03rCd4gGxw" (Tweet ). Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Twitter .
^ Delorey, Randy [@RandyDelorey] (December 8, 2020). "Thankful to have the support of Burnell Lyons, an engaged Liberal member and experienced grassroots organizer, as I work to be the next leader of our party and Premier of Nova Scotia. https://t.co/O0ZQMz4WXw" (Tweet ). Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Twitter .
^ Delorey, Randy [@RandyDelorey] (December 7, 2020). "Grateful to have the support of Shawn Nicholson — an experienced grassroots organizer, engaged party member, and President of the Halifax Needham Liberal Association. Your confidence in my leadership as I work to become Nova Scotia's next Premier means so much. https://t.co/TYqOam1A0r" (Tweet ). Archived from the original on December 7, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Twitter .
^ Delorey, Randy [@RandyDelorey] (December 2, 2020). "Proud to have the endorsement of Paul d'Eon, President of the Hammonds Plains-Lucasville Liberal EDA. Paul's hard work, and that of EDA presidents across our province, is key to winning the next election. Thank you, Paul! https://t.co/3BwhZINzOS" (Tweet ). Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Twitter .
^ Delorey, Randy [@RandyDelorey] (December 14, 2020). "Throughout this campaign, I have met so many young Nova Scotians with great ideas for our province — people like Nick d'Entremont. It means a lot to have his support. https://t.co/WAtX3vcZrC" (Tweet ). Archived from the original on December 14, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Twitter .
^ Delorey, Randy [@RandyDelorey] (December 17, 2020). "I'm thankful to have the support of Dr. Paul Doucette, an Emergency Room Physician and President of the Bedford Basin Liberal Association. https://t.co/VfUGpCI408" (Tweet ). Archived from the original on December 17, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Twitter .
^ Delorey, Randy [@RandyDelorey] (December 3, 2020). "Grateful to have the endorsement of my friend Janet Becigneul, Secretary of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party. https://t.co/oA4hP8tNTV" (Tweet ). Archived from the original on December 6, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Twitter .
^ Max Taylor (December 3, 2020). "Nova Scotia's next Premier will be chosen soon. I've chosen to support Randy Delorey for the position" . Twitter . Retrieved December 3, 2020 .
^ Delorey, Randy [@RandyDelorey] (December 10, 2020). "Marc Botte is a small business owner and former Liberal candidate for Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg. Thank you for your support, Marc! It's great to have you on board. https://t.co/5oBKIqgpLh" (Tweet ). Archived from the original on December 10, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Twitter .
^ Delorey, Randy [@RandyDelorey] (December 18, 2020). "I'm happy to have the support of Allan Kennedy, our 2020 by-election candidate in Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River. Thanks, Allan! https://t.co/xMT9zu9MVb" (Tweet ). Archived from the original on December 18, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Twitter .
^ "Labi Kousoulis steps down as minister, announces candidacy for premier's spot" . September 30, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020 .
^ "Premier's chief of staff considering leadership run: sources" . CBC News . September 13, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020 .
^ Vibert, Jim (September 12, 2020). "Liberal leadership race taking shape" . Retrieved September 15, 2020 .
^ a b Casey, Bill. "Facebook" . www.facebook.com .
^ Casey, Bill. "Facebook" . www.facebook.com .
^ Rankin, Iain [@IainTRankin] (December 17, 2020). "Thank you for your endorsement, Vince! https://t.co/EdIKjyhgVr" (Tweet ). Archived from the original on December 17, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Twitter .
^ "Poll pegs Scott Brison as favourite in N.S. Liberal leadership race, but he's not interested" . September 4, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020 .
^ "Scott Brison opts out of running for Nova Scotia Liberal leader" . Global News . September 4, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020 .
^ Maher, Stephen [@stphnmaher] (August 19, 2020). "I am told @billcaseyns is considering running for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia" (Tweet ). Archived from the original on August 19, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Twitter .
^ Murphy, Steve [@CTVAnchor] (September 16, 2020). "BREAKING. In an interview just recorded for tonight's broadcast, NS Education Minister Zach Churchill tells @CTVAtlantic he will not be a candidate to succeed Premier @StephenMcNeil as leader of the NS Liberal Party" (Tweet ). Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Twitter .
^ Fraser, Sean (September 16, 2020). "An update on my decision regarding the Nova Scotia Liberal Leadership" . Retrieved September 30, 2020 .
^ a b "Nova Scotia politicians begin kicking the tires on Liberal leadership" . CBC News . August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2020 .
^ Graham, Laurie [@lauriegrahamNS] (September 19, 2020). "Thank you to those who have reached out to me in the past week. Here is my statement on the Nova Scotia Liberal Party leadership race. https://t.co/I6Kle9VkiK" (Tweet ). Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Twitter .
^ a b "Hurdles unique to women likely await prospective N.S. Liberal leadership candidates" . August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020 .
^ Pace, Natasha [@NatashaPace] (August 20, 2020). "NS Business Minister Geoff MacLellan says while he'd love to be the first Premier from Galce Bay, he isn't interested in taking over for Premier Stephen McNeil. "I'm out." " (Tweet ). Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Twitter .
^ "A Message to All Nova Scotians" . October 5, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2020 .
^ "Community Services Minister Kelly Regan won't run for Liberal leadership" . September 22, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020 .
^ Laroche, Jean [@larochecbc] (September 28, 2020). "Liberal MP Darrell Samson is the latest person to take a pass on becoming @NSLiberal leader. "After thorough deliberation with my family over the past weeks, I have decided that I will not be seeking the nomination for leadership of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party." #nspoli" (Tweet ). Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Twitter .