Nova Scotia House of Assembly
Encyclopedia
The Nova Scotia Legislature, consisting of Her Majesty The Queen represented by the Lieutenant Governor (sometimes referred to as the Governor) and the House of Assembly, is the legislative branch of the provincial government of Nova Scotia
, Canada
. The Assembly is the oldest in Canada, having first sat in 1758, and in 1848 was the site of the first responsible government
in colonies of the British Empire
.
Originally (in 1758), the Legislature consisted of the Governor (later a Lieutenant Governor), the appointed Council (upper chamber) (which met in the Red Chamber shown on the right and now used for committee meetings and social functions) and the elected House of Assembly (lower chamber). The Council had both executive and legislative functions. In 1838, the Council was replaced by an Executive Council with the executive function and a Legislative Council
with the upper chamber legislative function. In 1928, the Legislative Council was abolished.
There are 52 Members of the Legislative Assembly
(MLAs) representing 52 electoral districts. Members nearly always represent one of the three main political parties of the province, the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia, Liberal Party of Nova Scotia, and Nova Scotia New Democratic Party.
The Assembly meets in Province House
. Located in Halifax Province House is a National Historic Site and Canada's oldest and smallest legislative building. It opened on February 11, 1819. The building was also the original home to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, and the location of the "Freedom of the Press" trial of Joseph Howe
. Its main entrance is found on Hollis Street in Halifax.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The Assembly is the oldest in Canada, having first sat in 1758, and in 1848 was the site of the first responsible government
Responsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
in colonies of the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
.
Originally (in 1758), the Legislature consisted of the Governor (later a Lieutenant Governor), the appointed Council (upper chamber) (which met in the Red Chamber shown on the right and now used for committee meetings and social functions) and the elected House of Assembly (lower chamber). The Council had both executive and legislative functions. In 1838, the Council was replaced by an Executive Council with the executive function and a Legislative Council
Legislative Council of Nova Scotia
The Legislative Council of Nova Scotia was the upper house of the government of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. It existed from 1838 to May 31, 1928...
with the upper chamber legislative function. In 1928, the Legislative Council was abolished.
There are 52 Members of the Legislative Assembly
Member 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....
(MLAs) representing 52 electoral districts. Members nearly always represent one of the three main political parties of the province, the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia, Liberal Party of Nova Scotia, and Nova Scotia New Democratic Party.
The Assembly meets in Province House
Province House (Nova Scotia)
Province House is where the Nova Scotia Legislature, known officially as the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, has met every year since 1819. The building is Canada's oldest house of government...
. Located in Halifax Province House is a National Historic Site and Canada's oldest and smallest legislative building. It opened on February 11, 1819. The building was also the original home to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, and the location of the "Freedom of the Press" trial of Joseph Howe
Joseph Howe
Joseph Howe, PC was a Nova Scotian journalist, politician, and public servant. He is one of Nova Scotia's greatest and best-loved politicians...
. Its main entrance is found on Hollis Street in Halifax.
Party standings
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| Affiliation | Members |
|
| 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... |
31 | |
| Liberal Party | 13 | |
| Progressive Conservative Party | 7 | |
| Independents | 1 | |
| Vacant | 0 | |
| Total |
52 | |
| Government majority |
19 | |
Standing Committees
- Assembly Matters
- Community Services
- Economic Development
- Human Resources
- Internal Affairs
- Law Amendments
- Private & Local Bills
- Public Accounts
- Resources
- Veterans Affairs
Select Committees
- Electoral Boundaries
- Fire Safety
- National Unity
- Participation in the Democratic Process
- Petroleum Product Pricing
- Workers' Compensation Act
Seating plan
| Zinck Trevor Zinck Trevor J. Zinck is a Canadian politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, representing the riding of Dartmouth North as an Independent. He was first elected for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party in the 2006 election, succeeding retiring NDP MLA Jerry Pye... | ****** | **** | Theriault | MacLellan Geoff MacLellan Geoff MacLellan is a politician in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia in a by-election on June 22, 2010. He represents the electoral district of Glace Bay as a Liberal.-External links:**... | Churchill Zach Churchill Zach Churchill is a provincial politician, from Nova Scotia, Canada. He is a current member of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia having served since June 2010.-Political career:... | **** | **** | **** | **** | **** | |
| **** | **** | Colwell Keith Colwell Keith Colwell is a Canadian politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, representing the riding of Preston for the Nova Scotia Liberal Party. He was first elected in the 1993 election for the riding of Eastern Shore and re-elected in the 1998 election... | Casey Karen Casey Karen Casey is a Canadian politician. She currently represents the electoral district of Colchester North in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. She is a member of the Liberal caucus.... | Regan Kelly Regan Kelly Regan, MLA is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia in the 2009 election, representing the electoral district of Bedford-Birch Cove as a member of the Liberal Party.... | Younger Andrew Younger Andrew Younger is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2009 provincial election. He represents the electoral district of Dartmouth East as a member of the Liberal Party.... | **** | **** | **** | MacLeod Alfie MacLeod Alfie MacLeod is a Canadian politician. He currently represents the electoral district of Cape Breton West in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly... | **** | |
| Gaudet Wayne Gaudet Wayne Gaudet is a Canadian politician. He currently represents the electoral district of Clare in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. He is a member of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.... | Samson Michel Samson Michel P. Samson is the Liberal MLA for Richmond.He went to high school at Isle Madame District High, where he graduated with distinction. He started his post-secondary education at Dalhousie University, obtaining his B.A. in History. Samson then attended Dalhousie Law School and in May 1997,... | Glavine Leo Glavine Leo Glavine is a Canadian politician. He represents the electoral district of Kings West in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. He is a member of the Liberals.... | Whalen Diana Whalen Diana Whalen is a politician in Nova Scotia, Canada. She has held elected office since 2000 when she won a seat on HRM council representing the Clayton Park West and Rockingham. She has been the MLA for Halifax Clayton Park since 2003... | MCNEIL Stephen McNeil Stephen McNeil is a Nova Scotian politician representing the riding of Annapolis in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly and is the leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.... | MacDonald Manning MacDonald Manning MacDonald CD, ECNS is a Canadian politician. He represents the electoral district of Cape Breton South in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly... | **** | d’Entremont Chris d'Entremont Chris A. d'Entremont is a Canadian politician. He currently represents the electoral district of Argyle in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly... | BAILLIE Jamie Baillie Jamie Baillie is a corporate executive and politician in Nova Scotia, Canada. He is the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia. Prior to entering politics, he was the CEO of Credit Union Atlantic, leading them to consecutive years of higher profits and dividends for members... | Bain Keith Bain Keith Bain is a Canadian politician. He currently represents the electoral district of Victoria-The Lakes in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. He is a member of the Progressive Conservatives.-External links:* *... | Porter Chuck Porter (politician) Chuck Porter is a Canadian politician. He currently represents the electoral district of Hants West in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. He is a member of the Progressive Conservatives.-External links:* *... | MacMaster Allan MacMaster Allan MacMaster is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in a by-election on October 20, 2009. He represents the electoral district of Inverness as a member of the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Party.He is the son of Marie and Buddy MacMaster, and grew... |
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| Gosse Gordie Gosse Gordie Gosse is a Canadian politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, representing the electoral district of Cape Breton Nova for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party.... | ||||||||||||
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| Landry Ross Landry Ross Landry is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2009 provincial election. He represents the electoral district of Pictou Centre as a member of the New Democratic Party. He was named Minister of Justice and Attorney General in the NDP's first... | More Marilyn More Marilyn More is a Canadian politician. She serves as Nova Scotia's Minister of Education, Minister of Labour and Workforce Development, and Minister of Volunteerism in Darrell Dexter's Cabinet. As a member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, she represents the constituency of Dartmouth... | Estabrooks Bill Estabrooks Bill Estabrooks is a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia and currently Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. He represents the riding of Timberlea-Prospect for the NDP.... | Peterson-Rafuse Denise Peterson-Rafuse Denise Peterson-Rafuse is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2009 provincial election. She represents the electoral district of Chester-St... | Corbett Frank Corbett Frank Corbett is a Canadian politician and member of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia. He represents the riding of Cape Breton Centre for the NDP. He is from New Waterford, Nova Scotia... | **** | DEXTER Darrell Dexter Darrell Dexter is a Canadian lawyer, journalist and former naval officer who is serving as the 27th and current Premier of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. A member of the New Democratic Party, he has led the Nova Scotia NDP since 2001. He was elected Premier in 2009 after defeating... | Steele Graham Steele Graham Steele is Nova Scotia's Minister of Finance and Minister of Acadian Affairs in Darrell Dexter's Cabinet. As a member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, he represents the constituency of Halifax Fairview... | MacDonald Maureen MacDonald Maureen MacDonald is a Canadian politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, representing the riding of Halifax Needham for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party. She was first elected in the 1998 election, and was re-elected in 1999, 2003, 2006 and 2009... | Paris Percy Paris Percy A. Paris is a Canadian politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He represents the constituency of Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party.... | Jennex Ramona Jennex Ramona Jennex is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2009 provincial election. She represents the electoral district of Kings South as a member of the New Democratic Party. She was previously a schoolteacher. On January 11, 2011 she was appointed... | MacDonell | Belliveau Sterling Belliveau Sterling Belliveau is a politician in Nova Scotia, Canada. He represents the electoral district of Shelburne in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. In the Executive Council of Nova Scotia, Belliveau serves as Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and Minister of Environment... |
| Epstein Howard Epstein Howard Epstein is a Canadian politician, lawyer and part-time law professor.Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, he is an environmentalist, serving as the director of the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax from 1991-1994.... | Smith Maurice Smith (politician) Maurice Smith is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in a by-election on October 20, 2009. He represents the electoral district of Antigonish as a member of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party.-External links:* *... | Raymond Michele Raymond Michèle Raymond is a Canadian politician and author. She currently serves as Halifax Atlantic's NDP MLA. A Halifax-area resident since 1963, she received degrees from Yale 1978 and Dalhousie in Linguistics and Law, respectively.... | MacKinnon Clarrie MacKinnon Clarence "Clarrie" MacKinnon is a Canadian politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in Nova Scotia, Canada. He represents the constituency of Pictou East for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party.... | Parker Charlie Parker (politician) C. L. Parker is a Canadian politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in Nova Scotia, Canada. He represents the constituency of Pictou West for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party.... | **** | Wilson | Conrad Vicki Conrad Vicki Conrad is a Canadian politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, representing the riding of Queens for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party... | Kent Becky Kent Becky Kent is a Canadian politician. She was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage provincial by-election on October 2, 2007... | Zann Lenore Zann Lenore Zann is a politician as well as a screen, television, stage, and voice actress who has appeared in numerous television shows and films... | Preyra Leonard Preyra Leonard Preyra is a Canadian politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, representing the riding of Halifax Citadel-Sable Island for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party... | ||
| **** | Prest | Ramey Gary Ramey Gary Ramey is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2009 provincial election. He represents the electoral district of Lunenburg West as a member of the New Democratic Party.... | Skabar Brian Skabar Brian Skabar is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2009 provincial election. Skabar won the riding of Cumberland North, a traditionally Conservative area once held by Sir Charles Tupper.Skabar, as a candidate of the New Democratic Party, obtained 40... | Whynott Mat Whynott Mat Whynott is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2009 provincial election. He represents the electoral district of Hammonds Plains-Upper Sackville as a member of the New Democratic Party.... | **** | Morton Jim Morton Jim Morton is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2009 provincial election. He represents the electoral district of Kings North as a member of the New Democratic Party.-External links:* * *... | Birdsall Pam Birdsall Pam Birdsall is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2009 provincial election. She represents the electoral district of Lunenburg as a member of the New Democratic Party.-External links:* * *... | Boudreau Jim Boudreau Jim Boudreau is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2009 provincial election. He represents the electoral district of Guysborough-Sheet Harbour as a member of the New Democratic Party.... | Burrill Gary Burrill Gary Burrill is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2009 provincial election. He represents the electoral district of Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley as a member of the New Democratic Party.... |
See also
- List of Nova Scotia General Assemblies — list of sitting members for each session
- List of political parties in Nova Scotia
- Executive Council of Nova ScotiaExecutive Council of Nova ScotiaThe Executive Council of Nova Scotia is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
(Cabinet)