Eileen O'Connell (politician)
Encyclopedia
Eileen O'Connell was a Canadian politician
who served as the Member of the Nova Scotia Legislature
for Halifax Fairview
from 1996 until her death in 2000 from breast cancer
. She belonged to the New Democratic Party
.
A graduate of St. Francis Xavier University
, O'Connell attended both Dalhousie
and St. Mary's
Universities, where she earned a degree in Education.
She taught at Halifax West High School
for 14 years, and then at Cornwallis Junior High School
. She was a founding member of the Association for Media Literacy, a board member of the Planned Parenthood Metro Clinic
, and a chair of the Halifax Association for Community Living's Flowers of Hope Campaign.
. She first ran in the 1984
and 1988
elections in the constituency of Halifax Citadel
but was unsuccessful. In the 1993 election
, she made a third unsuccessful run at a seat, this time in the riding of Halifax Chebucto
, losing a very close race to Liberal Jay Abbass.
O'Connell ran successfully in the 1996 Halifax Fairview
by-election prompted by the resignation of Alexa McDonough
. She gained the seat with 65.24% of the vote. O'Connell's first day in the House of Assembly was November 18, 1996.
O'Connelll retained the seat in 1998
(53.8%) and 1999
(46.23%).
During her tenure as MLA, O'Connell served as Education Critic, Environment Critic, Natural Resources Critic and Forestry Critic for the NDP caucus. She also served on the Human Resources Subcomittee, Standing Committee on Resources, Public Accounts Committee, the Standing Committee on Veteran's Affairs, and the Select Committee on National Unity. At the Nova Scotia NDP Leadership convention in July 2000, she was a member of Helen MacDonald
's team, and helped her win the leadership of the Nova Scotia NDP. Shortly after the 1998 election, O'Connell was diagnosed with breast cancer. She continued to serve as MLA until her death on September 27, 2000.
student each year.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who served as the Member of the Nova Scotia Legislature
Nova Scotia House of Assembly
The Nova Scotia Legislature, consisting of Her Majesty The Queen represented by the Lieutenant Governor and the House of Assembly, is the legislative branch of the provincial government of Nova Scotia, Canada...
for Halifax Fairview
Halifax Fairview
Halifax Fairview is a provincial electoral district in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.It was created in the re-distribution of 1993...
from 1996 until her death in 2000 from breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
. She belonged to the New Democratic Party
Nova Scotia New Democratic Party
The Nova Scotia New Democratic Party is a social-democratic provincial party in Nova Scotia, Canada. It is aligned with the federal New Democratic Party . Originally founded as the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation in 1932, it became the New Democratic Party in 1961. It became the governing...
.
A graduate of St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University is a post-secondary institution located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The school was founded in 1853, but did not offer degrees until 1868. The university has approximately 5000 students.-History:...
, O'Connell attended both Dalhousie
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...
and St. Mary's
Saint Mary's University (Halifax)
Saint Mary's University is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada. The school is best known for having nationally lead programs in Business, Astronomy and International Development Studies as well, one of the best football and Men's hockey programs in Canada .The campus is situated in Halifax's...
Universities, where she earned a degree in Education.
She taught at Halifax West High School
Halifax West High School
Halifax West High School is a Canadian public high school located in the Clayton Park neighbourhood in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia...
for 14 years, and then at Cornwallis Junior High School
Cornwallis Junior High School
Cornwallis Junior High School is a junior high school in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was founded in 1948.The school takes its name from Edward Cornwallis, who founded the city, which began Father Le Loutre's War. The foundation stone was laid by the Cornwallis of the time on July 32, 1948,...
. She was a founding member of the Association for Media Literacy, a board member of the Planned Parenthood Metro Clinic
Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood Federation of America , commonly shortened to Planned Parenthood, is the U.S. affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and one of its larger members. PPFA is a non-profit organization providing reproductive health and maternal and child health services. The...
, and a chair of the Halifax Association for Community Living's Flowers of Hope Campaign.
Political life
O'Connell held various positions with the New Democratic Party before becoming an MLAMember of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
. She first ran in the 1984
Nova Scotia general election, 1984
The 31st Nova Scotia general election was held on November 6, 1984 to elect members of the 54th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was won by the Progressive Conservative party....
and 1988
Nova Scotia general election, 1988
The 32nd Nova Scotia general election was held on September 6, 1988 to elect members of the 55th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was won by the Progressive Conservative party.* Vote share included in "other"...
elections in the constituency of Halifax Citadel
Halifax Citadel
Halifax Citadel is a provincial electoral district in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.Its current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Leonard Preyra of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party....
but was unsuccessful. In the 1993 election
Nova Scotia general election, 1993
The 33rd Nova Scotia general election was held on May 25, 1993 to elect members of the 56th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. The Liberals under John Savage won a landslide victory over the unpopular Progressive Conservatives under Premier Donald Cameron, while Alexa...
, she made a third unsuccessful run at a seat, this time in the riding of Halifax Chebucto
Halifax Chebucto
Halifax Chebucto is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.It is one of several ridings within the Halifax Regional Municipality. It encompasses the neighbourhood known informally as West End, Halifax...
, losing a very close race to Liberal Jay Abbass.
O'Connell ran successfully in the 1996 Halifax Fairview
Halifax Fairview
Halifax Fairview is a provincial electoral district in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.It was created in the re-distribution of 1993...
by-election prompted by the resignation of Alexa McDonough
Alexa McDonough
Alexa Ann Shaw McDonough OC is a Canadian politician who became the first woman to lead a major, recognized political party in Canada, when she was elected the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party's leader in 1980...
. She gained the seat with 65.24% of the vote. O'Connell's first day in the House of Assembly was November 18, 1996.
O'Connelll retained the seat in 1998
Nova Scotia general election, 1998
The 34th Nova Scotia general election was held on March 24, 1998 to elect members of the 57th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. The Liberal party and the New Democratic Party tied in the seat count, with 19 each, while the Progressive Conservatives won 14 seats...
(53.8%) and 1999
Nova Scotia general election, 1999
The 35th Nova Scotia general election was held on July 27, 1999, to elect members of the 58th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It was won by the Progressive Conservative party, led by Dr...
(46.23%).
During her tenure as MLA, O'Connell served as Education Critic, Environment Critic, Natural Resources Critic and Forestry Critic for the NDP caucus. She also served on the Human Resources Subcomittee, Standing Committee on Resources, Public Accounts Committee, the Standing Committee on Veteran's Affairs, and the Select Committee on National Unity. At the Nova Scotia NDP Leadership convention in July 2000, she was a member of Helen MacDonald
Helen MacDonald (Nova Scotia politician)
Helen MacDonald is a Canadian politician, who represented the electoral district of Cape Breton-The Lakes in the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia from 1997 to 1999...
's team, and helped her win the leadership of the Nova Scotia NDP. Shortly after the 1998 election, O'Connell was diagnosed with breast cancer. She continued to serve as MLA until her death on September 27, 2000.
Legacy
A memorial bursary in her name is awarded to a Halifax West High School student and to a J. L. Ilsley High SchoolJ. L. Ilsley High School
J.L. Ilsley High School is a Canadian high school located in Spryfield in the western part of Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality. The school is named after James Lorimer Ilsley, a former federal cabinet minister who served in Prime Minister William Lyon MacKenzie King's World War II...
student each year.