# 2022 Nova Scotia Liberal Party leadership election

The 2022 Nova Scotia Liberal Party leadership election took place on July 9, 2022 to elect a leader to replace Iain Rankin, who announced his intent to resign on January 5, 2022 after leading the party since 2021 and following the party's defeat in the 2021 Nova Scotia general election.

## Background

Iain Rankin announced that he would be resigning as leader on January 6, 2022, following the party's defeat in the 2021 general election and after consulting with his family. Rankin remained Leader of the Opposition and leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party until a successor was chosen.

## Timeline
### 2022

* January 5 – Iain Rankin announces his resignation as leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.
* January 30 – The party unveils the base set of rules for the election.
* February 4 – Angela Simmonds declares her candidacy.
* February 14 – The official rules for the leadership election will be released.
* February 19 – Zach Churchill declares his candidacy.
* March 4–5 – Liberal Party Annual General Meeting is held.
* March 5 – A new Nova Scotia Liberal Party board is elected.
* March 21 – Last day to register as a candidate.
* July 9 – Leadership convention is held.

## Candidates
### Declared
#### Zach Churchill

Zach Churchill is the MLA for Yarmouth, having served since 2010. In the McNeil and Rankin governments, he served as Minister of Health and Wellness, Natural Resources, Municipal Affairs, Communications Nova Scotia, and Education and Early Childhood Development. Prior to announcing his candidacy, Churchill served as Deputy Leader of the Opposition as well as the critic for Health and Wellness and Health Care Professionals Recruitment.
    Candidacy announced: February 19, 2022
    Campaign website: www.votezachchurchill.ca

##### Platform

* Building stronger links with: Liberal Caucus, Electoral District Associations, and Voters.
* Creation of an Election Readiness Committee

##### MLAs: (7)

* Patricia Arab (MLA for Fairview-Clayton Park, 2013-Present; former Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services, and Minister of Communications Nova Scotia, 2017-2021)
* Braedon Clark (MLA for Bedford South, 2021-Present)
* Tony Ince (MLA for Cole Harbour, 2013-Present; former Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs, Communications Nova Scotia, Communities, Culture and Heritage, and the Public Service Commission, 2013-2021)
* Carman Kerr (MLA for Annapolis, 2021-Present)
* Ronnie LeBlanc (MLA for Clare, 2021-Present)
* Rafah DiCostanzo (MLA for Clayton Park West, 2017-Present)
* Derek Mombourquette (MLA for Sydney-Membertou, 2015-Present)

##### Federal politicians: (1)

* Lena Diab (MP for Halifax West, 2021-Present; former MLA for Halifax Armdale, 2013-2021)

##### Municipal politicians: (3)

* Shawn Cleary (Councillor for Halifax Regional Council, 2016-Present)
* Claude Poirier (Councillor for Inverness County, Nova Scotia, 2022-Present)
* Matt Risser (Mayor of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, 2020-Present)

##### Former MLAs: (8)

* Labi Kousoulis (Former MLA for Halifax Citadel-Sable Island, 2013-2021; former Minister of the Public Service Commission, Internal Services, Labour and Advanced Education, Inclusive Economic Growth, Trade, and Finance and Treasury Board, 2013-2021)
* Margaret Miller (Former MLA for Hants East, 2013-2021; Former Minister of Environment)
* Keith Colwell (Former MLA for Preston-Dartmouth, 2003-2021; former Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, 2013-2021)
* David Wilton (Former MLA for Cape Breton Centre, 2015-2017)
* Gordon Wilson (Former MLA for Clare-Digby, 2013-2021; former Minister of Environment)
* Wayne Gaudet (Former MLA for Clare, 1993-2013; former Speaker of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly)
* Pam Eyking (Former MLA for Victoria-The Lakes, 2013-2017)
* Leo Glavine (Former MLA for Kings West, 2003-2021; former Minister of Health, 2013-2017)

##### Former federal politicians: (1)

* Robert Thibault (Former MP for West Nova, 2000-2008; former Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, 2002-2003)

##### Former municipal politicians: (1)

* Gloria McCluskey (Former Mayor of Dartmouth, 1992-1996)

##### Other prominent individuals: (10)

* Jennifer Naugler (Candidate of record for Lunenburg West, 2021)
* John John McCarthy (Candidate of record for Glace Bay-Dominion, 2021)
* Geof Turner (Candidate of record for Kings North, 2021)
* Kenny John Jackson (Candidate of record for Cumberland South, 2017)
* Martin MacKinnon (Candidate of record for Halifax, 2006)
* Penny Smith (Candidate of record for Shelburne, 2021)
* Paul Ratchford (Candidate of record for Northside-Westmount, 2019)
* Heather Peters (Candidate of record for Cape Breton East, 2021)
* Alxys Chamberlain (Candidate of record for West Nova, 2021)
* Vishal Bhardwaj (Candidate of record for Dartmouth South, 2017)

##### Total endorsements: 31
#### Angela Simmonds

Angela Simmonds is the MLA for Preston, having served since 2021. Prior to announcing her candidacy, Simmonds has been serving as Deputy Speaker of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly and Opposition critic for Justice, Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives, Human Rights Commission and Accessibility Act.
    Candidacy announced: February 4, 2022
    Campaign website: www.angelafornovascotia.ca

##### Platform

* Charting a clear path to renewal in the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.
* Increasing support for Liberal Electoral District Associations.
* Creation of an Election Readiness Committee within the Party.
* Increased diversity within the Nova Scotia Liberal Party and the provincial government.

##### MLAs: (3)

* Ali Duale (MLA for Halifax Armdale, 2021-Present)
* Brendan Maguire (MLA for Halifax Atlantic, 2013-Present; former Minister of Municipal Affairs, 2021)
* Fred Tilley, (MLA for Northside-Westmount, 2021-Present)

##### Federal politicians: (2)

* Andy Fillmore (MP for Halifax, 2015-Present; Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, 2021-Present)
* Marci Ien (MP for Toronto Centre, 2020-Present; Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, 2021-Present)

##### Former MLAs: (4)

* Wayne Adams (Former MLA for Preston, 1993-1998; former Minister of the Environment; former Minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Act; former Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Boxing Authority; former Deputy Mayor for Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1982-1983)
* Joanne Bernard (Former MLA for Dartmouth North, 2013-2017; former Minister of Community Services, 2013-2017)
* Don Downe (Former MLA for Lunenburg West, 1993-2003; Former President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture; Minister of Business and Consumer Services, (1993-1996); Minister of Transportation and Public Works, (1996-1998); Minister of Finance, (1998-2003); Minister of Environment, (1998-2003); Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, (1998-2003); Deputy Premier, (1998-2003); Mayor of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, (2008-2016)
* Suzanne Lohnes-Croft (Former MLA for Lunenburg, 2013-2021)

##### Former federal politicians: (1)

* Jim Cowan (Former Senator for Nova Scotia, 2005-2017; Leader of the Senate Liberal Caucus, 2014-2016; Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, 2008-2015)

##### Riding Association Executives: (5)

* Sarah Douglas (Vice-President, Nova Scotia Liberal Party, 2022-Present)
* Morgan Manzer (Policy Chair, Nova Scotia Liberal Party, 2022-Present; former Chair of Halifax Pride, 2016-2022)
* John Robart (President of the Lunenburg Liberal Association)
* Kegan Palmer (President of the St. Francis Xavier University Liberal Association)

##### Other prominent individuals: (4)

* Nadine Bernard (Candidate of record for Victoria-The Lakes, 2021)
* Susan Holt (Candidate for leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Association, 2022; Candidate of record for Fredericton South, 2020)
* Frank McKenna (Candidate of record for Pictou Centre, 2021; President of Pictou Centre Liberal Association)
* Marni Tuttle (Candidate of record for Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank, 2021)

##### Total endorsements: 18
### Declined

* Patricia Arab, MLA for Fairview-Clayton Park (2013-); former Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services, and Communications Nova Scotia. (Endorsed Churchill)
* Ali Duale, MLA for Halifax Armdale (2021-) (Endorsed Simmonds)
* Tony Ince, MLA for Cole Harbour (2013-); former Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs, Communications Nova Scotia, Communities, Culture and Heritage, and the Public Service Commission. (Endorsed Churchill)
* Brendan Maguire, MLA for Halifax Atlantic (2013-); former Minister of Municipal Affairs. (Endorsed Simmonds)
* Kelly Regan, MLA for Bedford Basin (2009-); former Deputy Premier; former Minister of Community Services, Seniors, and Labour and Advanced Education.
* Fred Tilley, MLA for Northside-Westmount (2021-). (Endorsed Simmonds)

## Debates

Debates among candidates for the 2022 Liberal Party of Nova Scotia leadership election :
| No. | Date | Time | Place | Participants | Participants |
| P Participant N Non-invitee A Absent invitee O Out of race (exploring or withdrawn) | P Participant N Non-invitee A Absent invitee O Out of race (exploring or withdrawn) | P Participant N Non-invitee A Absent invitee O Out of race (exploring or withdrawn) | P Participant N Non-invitee A Absent invitee O Out of race (exploring or withdrawn) | Zach Churchill | Angela Simmonds |
| Nova Scotia Liberal Party leadership election debates |||||||||
| 1 | April 28, 2022 | 7 p.m. | Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax | P | P |
| 2 | May 16, 2022 | 7 p.m. | Centre 200, Sydney | P | P |
| 3 | June 6, 2022 | 7 p.m. | White Point Beach Resort, White Point | P | P |

## Results

    = Winner
| Candidate | Ballot 1 | Ballot 1 |
| Name | Votes | Points |
| Zach Churchill | 2,186 66.50% | 3,580.00 65.09% |
| Angela Simmonds | 1,101 33.50% | 1,920.00 34.91% |
| TOTAL | 3,287 | 5,500 |
| | Ballot 1 | Ballot 1 | Ballot 1 | Ballot 1 | Ballot 1 |
| Riding | Zach Churchill | Zach Churchill | Angela Simmonds | Angela Simmonds | Total |
| Riding | Votes | Points | Votes | Points | Votes |
| Annapolis | 68 | 75.00 | 23 | 25.00 | 91 |
| Antigonish | 46 | 65.00 | 25 | 35.00 | 71 |
| Argyle | 54 | 100.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 54 |
| Bedford Basin | 55 | 65.00 | 30 | 35.00 | 85 |
| Bedford South | 63 | 72.00 | 24 | 28.00 | 87 |
| Cape Breton Centre-Whitney Pier | 38 | 86.00 | 6 | 14.00 | 44 |
| Cape Breton East | 53 | 70.00 | 23 | 30.00 | 76 |
| Chester-St. Margaret's | 45 | 64.00 | 25 | 36.00 | 70 |
| Clare | 55 | 95.00 | 3 | 5.00 | 58 |
| Clayton Park West | 73 | 70.00 | 32 | 30.00 | 105 |
| Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley | 18 | 78.00 | 5 | 22.00 | 23 |
| Colchester North | 19 | 54.00 | 6 | 46.00 | 35 |
| Cole Harbour | 13 | 39.00 | 20 | 61.00 | 33 |
| Cole Harbour-Dartmouth | 56 | 65.00 | 30 | 35.00 | 86 |
| Cumberland North | 26 | 54.00 | 22 | 46.00 | 48 |
| Cumberland South | 23 | 72.00 | 9 | 28.00 | 32 |
| Dartmouth East | 52 | 54.00 | 44 | 46.00 | 96 |
| Dartmouth North | 23 | 43.00 | 30 | 57.00 | 53 |
| Dartmouth South | 22 | 42.00 | 30 | 58.00 | 52 |
| Digby-Annapolis | 30 | 73.00 | 11 | 27.00 | 41 |
| Eastern Passage | 21 | 75.00 | 7 | 25.00 | 28 |
| Eastern Shore | 24 | 59.00 | 17 | 41.00 | 41 |
| Fairview-Clayton Park | 45 | 70.00 | 19 | 30.00 | 64 |
| Glace Bay-Dominion | 61 | 88.00 | 8 | 12.00 | 69 |
| Guysborough-Tracadie | 20 | 65.00 | 11 | 35.00 | 31 |
| Halifax Armdale | 43 | 70.00 | 18 | 30.00 | 61 |
| Halifax Atlantic | 18 | 35.00 | 34 | 65.00 | 52 |
| Halifax Chebucto | 47 | 49.00 | 48 | 51.00 | 95 |
| Halifax Citadel-Sable Island | 81 | 65.00 | 43 | 35.00 | 124 |
| Halifax Needham | 48 | 44.00 | 60 | 56.00 | 108 |
| Hammonds Plains-Lucasville | 26 | 47.00 | 29 | 53.00 | 55 |
| Hants East | 30 | 71.00 | 12 | 29.00 | 42 |
| Hants West | 40 | 80.00 | 10 | 20.00 | 50 |
| Inverness | 55 | 70.00 | 24 | 30.00 | 79 |
| Kings North | 31 | 63.00 | 18 | 37.00 | 49 |
| Kings South | 27 | 52.00 | 25 | 48.00 | 52 |
| Kings West | 38 | 78.00 | 11 | 22.00 | 49 |
| Lunenburg | 24 | 65.00 | 13 | 35.00 | 37 |
| Lunenburg West | 35 | 64.00 | 20 | 36.00 | 55 |
| Northside-Westmount | 19 | 44.00 | 24 | 56.00 | 43 |
| Pictou Centre | 41 | 61.00 | 26 | 39.00 | 67 |
| Pictou East | 26 | 54.00 | 22 | 46.00 | 48 |
| Pictou West | 24 | 75.00 | 8 | 25.00 | 32 |
| Preston | 11 | 16.00 | 57 | 84.00 | 68 |
| Queens | 22 | 71.00 | 9 | 29.00 | 31 |
| Richmond | 80 | 88.00 | 11 | 12.00 | 91 |
| Sackville-Cobequid | 15 | 47.00 | 17 | 53.00 | 32 |
| Sackville-Uniacke | 11 | 48.00 | 12 | 52.00 | 23 |
| Shelburne | 26 | 96.00 | 1 | 4.00 | 27 |
| Sydney-Membertou | 58 | 87.00 | 9 | 13.00 | 67 |
| Timberlea-Prospect | 27 | 51.00 | 26 | 49.00 | 53 |
| Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River | 27 | 57.00 | 20 | 43.00 | 47 |
| Victoria-The Lakes | 39 | 78.00 | 11 | 22.00 | 50 |
| Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank | 16 | 59.00 | 11 | 41.00 | 27 |
| Yarmouth | 198 | 99.00 | 2 | 1.00 | 200 |