The 2024 Nova Scotia general election was held on November 26, 2024, to elect members to the 65th General Assembly of Nova Scotia. The election was held under first-past-the-post voting.
The incumbent Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia (PC) government, led by Premier Tim Houston since 2021, called a snap election and won a second consecutive majority government. It is the first time since 1984 that the PCs won over half of the popular vote, and a supermajority (i.e., greater than two-thirds) of seats in the General Assembly means that it can alter procedural rules without the collaboration of the other parties. In raw numbers (but not proportion of seats), this is the largest government caucus they have ever had. The Nova Scotia New Democratic Party, led by Claudia Chender, formed the official opposition for the first time since 2006, though they narrowly came in third in votes. The Nova Scotia Liberal Party, led by Zach Churchill, recorded its worst result in party history.
This election had the lowest turnout in Nova Scotia history, with only 45% of those eligible participating. This was the first Nova Scotia general election where less than half of eligible voters cast their vote.
Background
During the 2021 election, the Progressive Conservatives included a commitment in their platform to introduce fixed election dates in the province. Under amendments to the provincial Elections Act introduced and passed in October 2021, the first fixed election date following the 2021 Nova Scotia general election was set as 15 July 2025 with all subsequent elections to take place on the third Tuesday in July of the fourth calendar year following the previous election. However, the general assembly may be dissolved earlier by order of the lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia on the advice of the premier, which was the case for this election.
Incumbents not standing for re-election
The following MLAs announced that they would not run in the election:
Timeline
- August 17, 2021 – The Progressive Conservative Association, led by Tim Houston, wins the 2021 Nova Scotia general election, the Liberal Party becomes the official opposition, and the New Democratic Party remains at third party status.
- October 23, 2021 - Anthony Edmonds is elected leader and Jo-Ann Roberts is elected deputy leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia.
- November 9, 2021 – Gary Burrill, leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party, announces his resignation, triggering a leadership election for the party.
- December 16, 2021 – Nova Scotians United becomes Nova Scotia's newest registered political party.
- January 5, 2022 – Iain Rankin, leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, announces his resignation, triggering a leadership election for the party.
- June 25, 2022 – Claudia Chender is elected leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party.
- July 9, 2022 – Zach Churchill is elected leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.
- April 30, 2024 – The Atlantica Party is voluntarily deregistered by Elections Nova Scotia.
- October 22, 2024 – Liberal Fred Tilley crosses the floor to the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservatives.
- October 27, 2024 – Premier Tim Houston calls a general election for November 26, 2024.
- November 6, 2024 – Candidate nomination deadline.
- November 26, 2024 – General election held, resulting in a majority government for the Progressive Conservatives.
Results
Two judicial recounts took place in December:
Candidates by constituency
Legend
bold denotes party leader
† denotes an incumbent who is not running for re-election