Russell MacNeil

Canadian politician (1931–2018)

Russell MacNeil

MLA for Cape Breton Centre
In office
1989–1998
Preceded by| Wayne Connors
Succeeded by| Frank Corbett
Personal details
Born| (1931-02-24)February 24, 1931
New Waterford, Nova Scotia, Canada
Died| June 16, 2018(2018-06-16) (aged 87)
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Political party| Liberal

Russell Francis MacNeil (February 24, 1931 – June 16, 2018) was a Canadian politician. He represented the electoral district of Cape Breton Centre in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1989 to 1998. He was a member of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.[1]

## Early life and career[edit]

MacNeil was born in 1931 at New Waterford, Nova Scotia.[2] He graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with an arts degree in 1953, and an education degree in 1954.[3][4] Following graduation, MacNeil was a physical education teacher in New Waterford, and later served as the recreation director for the province of Nova Scotia.[4]

## Political career[edit]

MacNeil entered provincial politics in 1989, running as the Liberal candidate in a Cape Breton Centre by-election.[5] Defeated by seven votes on election night,[6][7] the number was reduced to two when official results were announced.[8][9] However, a judicial recount in September ended with MacNeil being declared the winner by three votes.[10] His Progressive Conservative opponent appealed to the Nova Scotia Supreme Court,[11] and in February 1990, the by-election was declared invalid and MacNeil's victory voided.[12] A second by-election was held on August 28, 1990, with MacNeil winning the seat.[10] He was re-elected in the 1993 election,[13] and served as a backbench member of John Savage's government. MacNeil did not seek re-election in 1998.[14]

MacNeil died on June 16, 2018, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.[15]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Electoral History for Cape Breton Centre" (PDF). Nova Scotia Legislative Library. Retrieved 2018-04-02.
2. ^ The Canadian Parliamentary Guide. P.G. Normandin. 1994. p. 767\. ISBN 9780921925545.
3. ^ "It all started at the Strand Gym for Russell MacNeil". Cape Breton Post. May 27, 2010. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
4. ^ a b "Russell MacNeil: Retired MLA and sports hall of famer". The Chronicle Herald. February 24, 2018. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
5. ^ "Cape Breton summer by-election heating up". The Globe and Mail. August 21, 1989.
6. ^ "Tory wrests riding from Liberal by 7 votes". The Globe and Mail. August 23, 1989.
7. ^ "Tory wins by 7 votes in Cape Breton riding". Toronto Star. August 23, 1989.
8. ^ "Two-vote margin found after Nova Scotia recount". The Globe and Mail. August 30, 1989.
9. ^ "Recount ordered in N.S. by-election". Toronto Star. August 30, 1989.
10. ^ a b "Return of By-elections for the House of Assembly 1989 and 1990" (PDF). Elections Nova Scotia. 1990. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
11. ^ "N.S. Tories to appeal by-election recount". The Globe and Mail. September 26, 1989.
12. ^ "N.S. judge orders 2nd by-election". The Globe and Mail. February 2, 1990.
13. ^ "Returns of General Election for the House of Assembly 1993" (PDF). Elections Nova Scotia. 1993. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
14. ^ "Coal is king in C.B. Centre". The Chronicle Herald. March 11, 1998. Archived from the original on January 23, 2005. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
15. ^ "New Waterford loses two former Cape Breton MLAs". Cape Breton Post. June 17, 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-17.

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