The 2006 Nova Scotia general election was held on June 13, 2006 to elect members of the 60th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada.
Premier Rodney MacDonald, who led a Progressive Conservative minority government in the legislature, called for the election on May 13, 2006, hoping for a majority government to better advance his agenda and a clear mandate for himself as he had not yet fought an election as leader.
Ultimately, MacDonald was returned to power leading another, slightly smaller, minority government against a strengthened New Democratic Party sitting as the Official Opposition and a weakened Liberal Party. Liberal leader Francis MacKenzie was defeated in his riding of Bedford.
Timeline
- September 29, 2005 - Premier John Hamm, leader of the Progressive Conservative minority government, announces his intent to resign as soon as the party chooses a new leader.
- February 11, 2006 - Rodney MacDonald is elected to replace Hamm as leader.
- February 24, 2006 - MacDonald becomes Premier and his cabinet is sworn in.
- May 9, 2006 - MacDonald's government introduces an "election-style" budget in the legislature.
- May 13, 2006 - Premier Rodney MacDonald calls a general election for June 13, 2006.
Campaign
MacKenzie was an outspoken critic of the governing Tories and accused them of living in a "fantasy world" due to their promise to cut taxes and increase spending in the 2006-07 budget.
No single issue dominated the election campaign, with all parties offering up various promises for university students to seniors.
Results
The Progressive Conservatives gained several points in the popular vote, but made a net loss of two seats, with losses to the NDP partially countered by the PCs doubling their representation on MacDonald's native Cape Breton Island at the expense of the Liberals. The gap between the Liberals and NDP also significantly increased, in both the popular vote and seat count; while the Liberals and NDP had previously been nearly even, the NDP gained a significant advantage on the Liberals and moved into position as the primary opposition to the governing PCs.
Retiring incumbents
- Ron Russell, Hants West
- Cecil O'Donnell, Shelburne
- Bill Langille, Colchester North
- Peter G. Christie, Bedford
- John Hamm, Pictou Centre
- Jim DeWolfe, Pictou East
- Jerry Pye, Dartmouth North
- Russell MacKinnon, Cape Breton West
Nominated candidates
Legend
bold denotes party leader
† denotes an incumbent who is not running for re-election or was defeated in nomination contest
Opinion polls
A March 2006 poll by Corporate Research Associates asked voters who they would prefer as premier, 36 per cent of respondents picked Premier Rodney MacDonald, compared to 23 per cent for Darrell Dexter and 16 per cent for Francis MacKenzie. The same poll showed the Progressive Conservatives in the lead with 36 per cent of voters compared to 29 per cent for the New Democrats and 27 per cent for the Liberals.