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:

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:

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 Participant Non-invitee Absent invitee Out of race (exploring or withdrawn)Zach ChurchillAngela Simmonds Nova Scotia Liberal Party leadership election debates1 April 28, 2022 7 p.m. Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax2 May 16, 2022 7 p.m. Centre 200, Sydney3 June 6, 2022 7 p.m. White Point Beach Resort, White Point

Results = Winner

CandidateBallot 1NameVotesPointsZach Churchill2,18666.50%3,580.0065.09%Angela Simmonds1,10133.50%1,920.0034.91% TOTAL 3,2875,500

Ballot 1 RidingZach ChurchillAngela SimmondsTotal Votes Points Votes Points VotesAnnapolis 6875.002325.0091Antigonish 4665.002535.0071Argyle 54100.0000.0054Bedford Basin 5565.003035.0085Bedford South6372.002428.0087Cape Breton Centre-Whitney Pier3886.00614.0044Cape Breton East5370.002330.0076Chester-St. Margaret's4564.002536.0070Clare5595.0035.0058Clayton Park West7370.003230.00105Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley1878.00522.0023Colchester North1954.00646.0035Cole Harbour1339.002061.0033Cole Harbour-Dartmouth5665.003035.0086Cumberland North2654.002246.0048Cumberland South2372.00928.0032Dartmouth East5254.004446.0096Dartmouth North2343.003057.0053Dartmouth South2242.003058.0052Digby-Annapolis3073.001127.0041Eastern Passage2175.00725.0028Eastern Shore2459.001741.0041Fairview-Clayton Park4570.001930.0064Glace Bay-Dominion6188.00812.0069Guysborough-Tracadie2065.001135.0031Halifax Armdale4370.001830.0061Halifax Atlantic1835.003465.0052Halifax Chebucto4749.004851.0095Halifax Citadel-Sable Island8165.004335.00124Halifax Needham4844.006056.00108Hammonds Plains-Lucasville2647.002953.0055Hants East3071.001229.0042Hants West4080.001020.0050Inverness5570.002430.0079Kings North3163.001837.0049Kings South2752.002548.0052Kings West3878.001122.0049Lunenburg2465.001335.0037Lunenburg West3564.002036.0055Northside-Westmount1944.002456.0043Pictou Centre4161.002639.0067Pictou East2654.002246.0048Pictou West2475.00825.0032Preston1116.005784.0068Queens2271.00929.0031Richmond8088.001112.0091Sackville-Cobequid1547.001753.0032Sackville-Uniacke1148.001252.0023Shelburne2696.0014.0027Sydney-Membertou5887.00913.0067Timberlea-Prospect2751.002649.0053Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River2757.002043.0047Victoria-The Lakes3978.001122.0050Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank1659.001141.0027Yarmouth19899.0021.00200

See also

Next Nova Scotia general election 2021 Nova Scotia Liberal Party leadership election 2022 Nova Scotia New Democratic Party leadership election

References