The list of Nova Scotia by-elections includes every by-election held in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. By-elections occur whenever there is a vacancy in the House of Assembly, although an imminent general election may allow the vacancy to remain until the dissolution of parliament. Between 1840 and 1927 incumbent members were required to recontest their seats upon being appointed to Cabinet. These Ministerial by-elections were almost always uncontested.
65th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 2024- By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedChéticamp-Margarees-Pleasant BayJune 23, 2026None NoneClaude Bourgeois Progressive ConservativeCreation of new districtNew district
64th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 2021–2024 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedPictou WestMay 21, 2024Karla MacFarlane Progressive ConservativeMarco MacLeod Progressive ConservativeResignationYesPrestonAugust 8, 2023Angela Simmonds LiberalTwila Grosse Progressive ConservativeResignationNo
63rd General Assembly of Nova Scotia 2017–2021 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedCape Breton CentreMarch 10, 2020Tammy Martin New DemocraticKendra Coombes New DemocraticResigned due to ongoing health issues.YesTruro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon RiverLenore Zann New DemocraticDave Ritcey Progressive ConservativeResigned to run federally in Cumberland-Colchester as a Liberal; elected. Completed final months as an independent MHA.NoSydney River-Mira-LouisbourgSeptember 3, 2019Alfie MacLeod Progressive ConservativeBrian Comer Progressive ConservativeResigned to run federally in Cape Breton—Canso; defeated.YesNorthside-WestmountEddie Orrell Progressive ConservativeMurray Ryan Progressive ConservativeResigned to run federally in Sydney—Victoria; defeated.YesArgyle-BarringtonChris d'Entremont Progressive ConservativeColton LeBlanc Progressive ConservativeResigned to run federally in West Nova; elected.YesSackville-CobequidJune 18, 2019Dave Wilson New DemocraticSteve Craig Progressive ConservativeResignationNoCumberland SouthJune 19, 2018Jamie Baillie Progressive ConservativeTory Rushton Progressive ConservativeResigned amid an allegation of harassment.Yes
62nd General Assembly of Nova Scotia 2013–2017 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedHalifax NeedhamAugust 30, 2016Maureen MacDonald New DemocraticLisa Roberts New DemocraticResignationYesSydney-Whitney PierJuly 14, 2015Gordie Gosse New DemocraticDerek Mombourquette LiberalResignationNoDartmouth SouthAllan Rowe LiberalMarian Mancini New DemocraticDeathNoCape Breton CentreFrank Corbett New DemocraticDavid Wilton LiberalResignationNo
61st General Assembly of Nova Scotia 2009–2013 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedCape Breton NorthJune 21, 2011Cecil Clarke Progressive ConservativeEddie Orrell Progressive ConservativeResignation to contest the 2011 Federal ElectionYesCumberland SouthOctober 26, 2010Murray Scott Progressive ConservativeJamie Baillie Progressive ConservativeResignationYesYarmouthJune 22, 2010Richard Hurlburt Progressive ConservativeZach Churchill LiberalResignation due to a constituency expense scandalNoGlace BayDavid Wilson LiberalGeoff MacLellan LiberalResignationYesInvernessOctober 20, 2009Rodney MacDonald Progressive ConservativeAllan MacMaster Progressive ConservativeResignationYesAntigonishAngus MacIsaac Progressive ConservativeMaurice Smith New DemocraticResignationNo
60th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 2006–2009 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedCole Harbour-Eastern PassageOctober 2, 2007Kevin Deveaux New DemocraticBecky Kent New DemocraticResignationYes
59th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 2003–2006 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedChester-St. Margaret'sJune 12, 2005John Chataway Progressive ConservativeJudy Streatch Progressive ConservativeDeathYes
58th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1999–2003 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedHalifax FairviewMarch 6, 2001Eileen O'Connell New DemocraticGraham Steele New DemocraticDeathYesCape Breton NorthRussell MacLellan LiberalCecil Clarke Progressive ConservativeResignationNoCape Breton EastApril 4, 2000David Wilson LiberalDavid Wilson LiberalVoid ElectionYes
57th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1998–1999 no by-elections
56th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1993–1998 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedHalifax CitadelNovember 4, 1997Terry Donahoe Progressive ConservativeEd Kinley LiberalResignation to contest the 1997 Federal ElectionNoCumberland NorthRoss Bragg LiberalErnie Fage Progressive ConservativeDeathNoCape Breton The LakesBernie Boudreau LiberalHelen MacDonald New DemocraticResignationNoCape Breton NorthRon Stewart LiberalRussell MacLellan LiberalResignationYesHalifax FairviewJune 4, 1996Alexa McDonough New DemocraticEileen O'Connell New DemocraticResignation upon election as Leader of the Federal NDPYesCape Breton WestOctober 10, 1995Russell MacKinnon LiberalAlfie MacLeod Progressive ConservativeResignation to enter municipal politicsNoColchester-Musquodoboit ValleyNovember 2, 1993Ken Streatch Progressive ConservativeBrooke Taylor Progressive ConservativeResignation to contest the 1993 Federal ElectionYesPictou EastAugust 3, 1993Donald W. Cameron Progressive ConservativeWayne Fraser LiberalResignationNo
55th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1988–1993 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedHalifax AtlanticAugust 27, 1991John Buchanan Progressive ConservativeRobert Chisholm New DemocraticAppointed to the SenateNoCape Breton CentreAugust 28, 1990Russell MacNeil LiberalRussell MacNeil LiberalVoid ElectionYesCape Breton CentreAugust 22, 1989Wayne Connors LiberalRussell MacNeil LiberalResignationYes
54th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1984–1988 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedInverness SouthFebruary 24, 1987Billy Joe MacLean Progressive ConservativeBilly Joe MacLean IndependentExpelled after pleading guilty to submitting forged documents.No
53rd General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1981–1984 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedLunenburg CentreJune 5, 1984Bruce Cochran Progressive ConservativeMaxine Cochran Progressive ConservativeDeathYesKings SouthFebruary 12, 1984Harry How Progressive ConservativePaul Kinsman Progressive ConservativeResignationYesCape Breton The LakesFebruary 22, 1983Ossie Fraser LiberalJohn Newell Progressive ConservativeDeathNo
52nd General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1978–1981 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedCape Breton EastDecember 2, 1980Jeremy Akerman New DemocraticDonnie MacLeod Progressive ConservativeResignation to become Executive Director of Intergovernmental AffairsNoVictoriaMay 6, 1980Peter John Nicholson LiberalFisher Hudson Progressive ConservativeResignationNoRichmondGaston T. LeBlanc LiberalJohn E. LeBrun LiberalDeathYesHalifax NeedhamGerald Regan LiberalEdmund L. Morris Progressive ConservativeResignation to contest the 1980 Federal ElectionNo
51st General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1974–1978 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedPictou CentreSeptember 6, 1977Fraser MacLean Progressive ConservativeJack MacIsaac Progressive ConservativeResignationYesCape Breton WestSeptember 7, 1976Allan Sullivan LiberalOssie Fraser LiberalAppointed a judgeYes
50th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1970–1974 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedGuysboroughJune 5, 1973Angus MacIsaac Progressive ConservativeSandy Cameron LiberalResignation to contest the 1972 Federal ElectionNoQueensNovember 16, 1971W. S. Kennedy Jones Progressive ConservativeFloyd MacDonald Progressive ConservativeResignationYesKings WestGordon Tidman Progressive ConservativeFrank Bezanson LiberalVoid ElectionNo
49th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1967–1970 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedHalifax Eastern ShoreFebruary 11, 1969Duncan MacMillan LiberalAlexander Garnet Brown LiberalDeathYesGuysboroughFebruary 11, 1969Alexander MacIsaac Progressive ConservativeAngus MacIsaac Progressive ConservativeDeathYesDartmouth NorthNovember 26, 1968Gordon L. S. Hart LiberalGerald G. Wambolt Progressive ConservativeAppointed a judgeNoCumberland CentreStephen T. Pyke Progressive ConservativeRaymond M. Smith Progressive ConservativeResignationYesColchesterFebruary 13, 1968Robert Stanfield Progressive ConservativeGerald Ritcey Progressive ConservativeResignation upon election as Leader of the federal Progressive ConservativesYes
48th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1963–1967 no by-elections
47th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1960–1963 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedInvernessSeptember 11, 1962Roderick MacLean LiberalWilliam N. MacLean LiberalDeathYesHants EastErnest M. Ettinger Progressive ConservativeAlbert J. Ettinger Progressive ConservativeDeathYes
46th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1956–1960 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedLunenburg EastOctober 14, 1959R. Clifford Levy Progressive ConservativeMaurice L. Zinck Progressive ConservativeDeathYes
45th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1953–1956 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedInvernessNovember 14, 1954Alexander H. McKinnon LiberalJoseph Clyde Nunn LiberalAppointed a judgeYesHants EastAlfred E. Reid LiberalAlfred E. Reid LiberalVoid ElectionYesHalifax SouthAngus Lewis Macdonald LiberalRichard Donahoe Progressive ConservativeDeathNo
44th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1949–1953 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedHants WestNovember 27, 1950George B. Cole LiberalGeorge Henry Wilson Progressive ConservativeVoid ElectionNoRichmondDecember 20, 1949Lauchlin Daniel Currie LiberalEarl Wallace Urquhart LiberalAppointed a judgeYes
43rd General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1945–1949 no by-elections
42nd General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1941–1945 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedAntigonishOctober 19, 1942John A. MacIsaac LiberalJohn P. Gorman LiberalDeathYesRichmondDecember 15, 1941†Donald David Boyd LiberalLauchlin Daniel Currie LiberalAppointed to the Department of Mines and LabourYes † Won by acclamation
41st General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1937–1941 By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause RetainedInvernessOctober 28, 1940†Moses Elijah McGarry LiberalAlexander H. McKinnon LiberalResignation to contest the 1940 Federal ElectionYesHalifax WestOctober 28, 1940†George E. Hagen LiberalGeorge E. Hagen LiberalResigned seat intending to retire but decided to run againYesHalifax SouthOctober 28, 1940†Angus Lewis Macdonald LiberalJoseph R. Murphy LiberalAppointed to the federal cabinetYesCumberlandOctober 28, 1940†Percy Chapman Black ConservativeLeonard William Fraser ConservativeResignation to contest the 1940 Federal ElectionYesColchesterOctober 28, 1940†George Y. Thomas ConservativeGeorge Scott Dickey ConservativeDeathYesHalifax CentreDecember 5, 1939†William Duff Forrest LiberalJames Edward Rutledge LiberalDeathYesCape Breton CentreDecember 5, 1939Michael Dwyer LiberalDouglas MacDonald Cooperative CommonwealthResignation to become President and General Manager of the Nova Scotia Steel and Coal CompanyNoYarmouthNovember 29, 1938†Lindsay C. Gardner LiberalHenry A. Waterman LiberalDeathYes † Won by acclamation
40th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1933–1937