The 2003 Nova Scotia general election was held on August 5, 2003, to elect members of the 59th House of Assembly of the Province of

Nova Scotia Nova Scotia is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada, located on its east coast. It is one of the three Maritime Canada, Maritime provinces and Population of Canada by province and territory, most populous province in Atlan ...

, Canada. The ruling Progressive Conservative Party, led by Premier

John Hamm John Frederick Hamm (born April 8, 1938) is a Canadian physician and politician, who served as the 25th premier of Nova Scotia from 1999 to 2006. Education Hamm, a graduate of the University of King's College and Dalhousie University, was a ...

, was reduced to a

minority government A minority government, minority cabinet, minority administration, or a minority parliament is a government and cabinet formed in a parliamentary system when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in ...

Campaign

The election was called by Progressive Conservatives, who decided to hold a rare summer election in the hope of strengthening their hold on the legislature. Running against them were the

New Democratic Party The New Democratic Party (NDP; , ) is a federal political party in Canada. Widely described as social democratic,The party is widely described as social democratic: * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Editors of ''Encyclopædia Britann ...

(NDP), led by Darrell Dexter, and the

Liberal Party The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left. For example, while the political systems ...

, led by

Danny Graham Daniel Graham (born 1978) is an American football player. Daniel Graham may also refer to: * Bob Graham (born 1936), Daniel Robert Graham, American politician * Daniel O. Graham (1926–1995), American general and political activist * Danny Graha ...

. Hamm's party ran on a policy of fiscal management,

tax cut A tax cut typically represents a decrease in the amount of money taken from taxpayers to go towards government revenue. This decreases the revenue of the government and increases the disposable income of taxpayers. Tax rate cuts usually refer ...

s, and on their record of fulfilling most of their promises. While the NDP agreed in principle to tax cuts, their main cause was the creation of a public

auto insurance Vehicle insurance (also known as car insurance, motor insurance, or auto insurance) is insurance for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other road vehicles. Its primary use is to provide financial protection against physical damage or bodily injury ...

company. The Liberals were the only party to criticize the tax cuts. For the most part, the campaign was quiet and uneventful. Hamm received criticism for a great number of spending programs, including a $150 tax rebate cheque sent to Nova Scotians right before the election. The party was also criticized for holding an election in the summer when most people have other concerns. Darrell Dexter's friendly, non-confrontational style, was popular with many voters, and was a marked change from his party's usually strident socialism. Danny Graham, a young leader, was popular, but failed to make much of a mark. The election was considered a mild failure for the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives, and something of a success for the NDP. This election is also notable for being one of the last Canadian provincial elections in which

British subject The term "British subject" has several different meanings depending on the time period. Before 1949, it referred to almost all subjects of the British Empire (including the United Kingdom, Dominions, and colonies, but excluding protectorates ...

s could vote (a tiny number can still vote provincially in

Saskatchewan Saskatchewan is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province in Western Canada. It is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, to the northeast by Nunavut, and to the south by the ...

if they were qualified in 1971).Voters' List Being Prepared In New Way
Nova Scotia Government

General results

Results by party

* The Marijuana Party did not contest the 1999 general election.

Results by region

Retiring incumbents

;Liberal *

Don Downe Donald Richard Downe (born 1951) is a farmer and political figure in Nova Scotia, Canada. He represented Lunenburg West in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1993 to 2003 as a Nova Scotia Liberal Party, Liberal member. Early life Downe was b ...

, Lunenburg West * Jim Smith, Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage * Paul MacEwan, Cape Breton Nova ;Progressive Conservative *

Neil LeBlanc Neil J. LeBlanc (born August 8, 1956) is a former politician in Nova Scotia, Canada. Early life and education He was born in Wedgeport, Nova Scotia to Gladys (Bourque) and Alfred LeBlanc. He graduated from Saint Mary’s University and then ...

, Argyle * Muriel Baillie, Pictou West ;New Democratic * Robert Chisholm, Halifax Atlantic * John Holm, Sackville-Cobequid

Nominated candidates

Legend
bold denotes party leader
† denotes an incumbent who is not running for re-election or was defeated in nomination contest

Valley

, - , bgcolor=whitesmoke,

Annapolis Annapolis ( ) is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland. It is the county seat of Anne Arundel County and its only incorporated city. Situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east o ...

, , Frank Chipman
2,795
31.42% , , Adrian Nette
1,395
15.68% , , , Stephen McNeil
4,522
50.83% , , Harry Wilson
185
2.08% , , , , , , , Frank Chipman , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Clare , , Marc Boudreau
1,456
25.26% , , Don Melanson
760
13.19% , , , Wayne Gaudet
3,547
61.55% , , , , , , , , , Wayne Gaudet , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Digby-Annapolis , , Gordon Balser
2,339
39.98% , , Deborah Trask
755
12.90% , , , Harold Theriault
2,666
45.56% , , Gordon D. Reid
91
1.56% , , , , , , , Gordon Balser , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Hants West , , , Ron Russell
3,871
46.15% , , Sean Bennett
2,200
26.23% , , Randy Matheson
2,118
25.25% , , Connie Brauer
51
0.61% , , Chummy Anthony
148
1.76% , , , , , Ron Russell , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Kings North , , , Mark Parent
4,063
50.20% , , Jim Morton
2,340
28.91% , , Michael Landry
1,533
18.94% , , , , Ben Friesen
157
1.94% , , , , , Mark Parent , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Kings South , , , David Morse
3,347
37.65% , , David Mangle
2,794
31.43% , , Maura Ryan
2,682
30.17% , , Victor Harris
67
0.75% , , , , , , , David Morse , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Kings West , , Jon Carey
2,929
35.51% , , Greg Hubbert
2,275
27.58% , , , Leo Glavine
3,045
36.91% , , , , , , , , , Jon Carey

South Shore

, - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Argyle , , ,

Chris d'Entremont Christopher André d'Entremont (born 31 October 1969) is a Canadian politician who represents Acadie-Annapolis, previously known as West Nova, in the House of Commons since 2019, as a member of the Conservative Party. Before entering federal ...

2,345
47.99% , , Charles Muise
595
12.18% , , Aldric Benoit d'Entremont
1,946
39.83% , , , , , , , , ,

† , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Chester-St. Margaret's , , , John Chataway
3,451
37.30% , , Hinrich Bitter-Suermann
3,412
36.87% , , Mitt Larsen
2,249
24.31% , , Sue Gault
141
1.52% , , , , , , , John Chataway , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Lunenburg , , , Michael Baker
3,734
46.36% , , Chris Heide
2,625
32.59% , , Jim Davis
1,695
21.05% , , , , , , , , , Michael Baker , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Lunenburg West , , , Carolyn Bolivar-Getson
3,111
39.68% , , David Ferguson
2,180
27.80% , , John MacDonald
2,550
32.52% , , , , , , , , ,

† , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke,

Queens Queens is the largest by area of the Boroughs of New York City, five boroughs of New York City, coextensive with Queens County, in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. Located near the western end of Long Island, it is bordered by the ...

, , , Kerry Morash
2,721
44.19% , , Vicki Conrad
2,300
37.35% , , Win Seaton
1,137
18.46% , , , , , , , , , Kerry Morash , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Shelburne , , , Cecil O'Donnell
3,702
48.59% , , Kendall Stoddard
810
10.63% , , Clifford Huskilson
3,107
40.78% , , , , , , , , , Cecil O'Donnell , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Yarmouth , , , Richard Hurlburt
4,656
56.48% , , Gillian Rowley
1,142
13.85% , , Phil DeMille
2,446
29.67% , , , , , , , , , Richard Hurlburt

Fundy-Northeast

, - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley , , , Brooke Taylor
4,695
64.34% , , Kathryn Belzer
1,694
23.22% , , Joan Barnhill
908
12.44% , , , , , , , , , Brooke Taylor , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Colchester North , , , Bill Langille
3,324
45.12% , , Garfield Forrest
1,860
25.25% , , John Davidson
2,183
29.63% , , , , , , , , , Bill Langille , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Cumberland North , , , Ernie Fage
4,609
61.95% , , Kim Cail
1,105
14.85% , , Marsh G. Fox
1,389
18.67% , , , , , , Jason Blanch
337
4.53% , , , Ernie Fage , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Cumberland South , , , Murray Scott
4,898
71.69% , , Scott McKee
745
10.90% , , Harriet McCready
1,189
17.40% , , , , , , , , , Murray Scott , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Hants East , , Mary Lou LeRoy
1,640
19.54% , , ,

John MacDonell Lieutenant Colonel John Macdonell of Greenfield (19 April 1785 – 14 October 1812) was an aide-de-camp to British Major General Sir Isaac Brock during the War of 1812, dying in the Battle of Queenston Heights. Life He was born on 19 Apr ...

4,783
56.97% , , Larry Matthews
1,866
22.23% , , Ken Smith
106
1.26% , , , , , , ,

, - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Truro-Bible Hill , , ,

Jamie Muir William James Graham Muir (4 July 1945 – 17 February 2025) was a Scottish painter and musician, best known for his work as the percussionist in King Crimson from 1972 to 1973, appearing prominently on their fifth album '' Larks' Tongues in As ...

3,862
47.11% , , Jim Harpell
2,314
28.23% , , Jeff Yuill
2,021
24.66% , , , , , , , , ,

Central Halifax

, - , bgcolor=whitesmoke,

Halifax Chebucto Halifax Chebucto is a provincial electoral district (Canada), 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 encom ...

, , Sandy Phillips
1,983
23.72% , , ,

Howard Epstein Howard Michael Epstein (born January 17, 1949) is a Canadian politician, lawyer and part-time law professor. Early life and career Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, he is an environmentalist, serving as the director of the Ecology Action Centre ...

3,682
44.04% , , Kenzie MacKinnon
2,592
31.00% , , Scott Higgins
103
1.23% , , , , , , ,

, - , bgcolor=whitesmoke,

Halifax Citadel Citadel Hill is a National Historic Sites of Canada, National Historic Site in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Four fortifications have been constructed on Citadel Hill since the city was founded by the British in 1749, and were referred to as For ...

, ,

Jane Purves Jane Stopford Purves (July 22, 1949 – June 1, 2013) was a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 1999 provincial election. She represented the electoral district of Halifax Citadel as a member of t ...

2,466
30.27% , ,

Peter Delefes Peter Delefes is a Canadian politician. He represented the electoral district of Halifax Citadel in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1998 to 1999 as a member of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party. Delefes is a life-long resident of ...

2,542
31.20% , , ,

3,042
37.34% , , James A. C. Marchoine
38
0.47% , , Michael R. Patriquen
59
0.72% , , , , ,

, - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Halifax Clayton Park , , Mary Ann McGrath
3,034
34.37% , , Roberta Morrison
2,312
26.19% , , , Diana Whalen
3,329
37.71% , , , , , , Greg Lavern
152
1.72% , , , Mary Ann McGrath , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Halifax Fairview , , Bruce MacCharles
1,684
22.45% , , , Graham Steele
3,439
45.85% , , Susan Hayes
2,284
30.45% , , David F. Boyd
94
1.25% , , , , , , , Graham Steele , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke,

Halifax Needham Halifax Needham is a provincial electoral district in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. It has existed since 1967, though its boundaries have changed periodically. Halifax Needham encompa ...

, , Linda Carvery
1,377
18.66% , , , Maureen MacDonald
3,709
50.26% , , Mike Rogers
2,178
29.51% , , Blair Baxter
116
1.57% , , , , , , , Maureen MacDonald

Suburban Halifax

, - , bgcolor=whitesmoke,

Bedford Bedford is a market town in Bedfordshire, England. At the 2011 Census, the population was 106,940. Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire and seat of the Borough of Bedford local government district. Bedford was founded at a ford (crossin ...

, , , Peter G. Christie
4,114
43.87% , , Bob Watson
2,055
21.92% , , Richard Zurawski
3,208
34.21% , , , , , , , , , Peter G. Christie , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Halifax Atlantic , , Linda Mosher
2,996
33.68% , , , Michele Raymond
3,327
37.40% , , Ian MacKinnon
2,382
26.78% , , Gerald Rodgers
191
2.15% , , , , , , , Robert Chisholm † , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Hammonds Plains Upper Sackville , , ,

Barry Barnet Barry Barnet (born June 13, 1961) is a Canadians, Canadian politician. He represented the electoral districts of Sackville-Beaver Bank and Hammonds Plains-Upper Sackville in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1999 to 2009. He was a member of ...

3,322
41.14% , , Brenda Haley
2,229
27.60% , , Pam Streeter
2,419
29.96% , , , , Melanie Patriquen
105
1.30% , , , , ,

, - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Sackville-Cobequid , , John Giannakos
2,426
28.37% , , , Dave Wilson
3,881
45.39% , , Bob Harvey
2,147
25.11% , , , , Michael D. Patriquen
97
1.13% , , , , , John Holm † , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Timberlea-Prospect , , Barry Fraser
1,535
18.25% , , , Bill Estabrooks
5,049
60.01% , , Bruce Holland
1,829
21.74% , , , , , , , , , Bill Estabrooks , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank , , , Gary Hines
3,141
37.67% , , Percy Paris
2,778
33.31% , , David E. Merrigan
2,240
26.86% , , Heather Sawers
94
1.13% , , Alex Neron
86
1.03% , , , , , Gary Hines

Dartmouth/Cole Harbour/Eastern Shore

, - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Cole Harbour , , Brian Thomas
2,387
26.55% , , , Darrell Dexter
4,977
55.37% , , Peter Foy
1,523
16.94% , , Jessica Gould
102
1.13% , , , , , , , Darrell Dexter , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage , , Henry McInroy
1,641
24.02% , , , Kevin Deveaux
3,997
58.50% , , Brian Churchill
1,121
16.41% , , Kallee A. McPherson
74
1.08% , , , , , , , Kevin Deveaux , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Dartmouth East , , Terry Degen
3,107
34.80% , , , Joan Massey
3,272
36.65% , , Debra Barlow
2,321
26.00% , , Scott Anderson
98
1.10% , , Hugo St-Onge
101
1.13% , , Sebastien Theriault
28
0.31% , , , Jim Smith † , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Dartmouth North , , Jane MacKay
1,900
26.54% , , , Jerry Pye
3,799
53.06% , , Rosemary Godin
1,300
18.16% , , Pat Gould
86
1.20% , , Marc-Andre Roy
75
1.05% , , , , , Jerry Pye , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Dartmouth South-Portland Valley , , Tim Olive
2,813
31.70% , , , Marilyn More
3,844
43.31% , , Collin A. MacEachern
2,218
24.99% , , , , , , , , , Tim Olive , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Eastern Shore , , , Bill Dooks
3,073
45.02% , , Sid Prest
2,427
35.56% , , Randy Carter
1,326
19.43% , , , , , , , , , Bill Dooks , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Preston , , David Hendsbee
1,361
32.77% , , Douglas Sparks
1,331
32.05% , , ,

Keith Colwell Keith Wayne Colwell (born October 3, 1947) is a Canadian politician, who served as a member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, representing the riding of Preston-Dartmouth for the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, from 1993 to 1999 and from 2003 t ...

1,411
33.98% , , , , Marc-Boris St-Maurice
50
1.20% , , , , , David Hendsbee

Central Nova

, - , bgcolor=whitesmoke,

Antigonish Antigonish ( ; ) is a town in Antigonish County, Nova Scotia, Canada. The town is home to St. Francis Xavier University and the oldest continuous Highland games outside Scotland. It is approximately 160 kilometres (100 miles) northeast of Hal ...

, , , Angus MacIsaac
4,256
41.64% , , Terry O'Toole
1,755
17.17% , , David Allister Cameron
3,650
35.71% , , , , Gene Purdy
560
5.48% , , , , , Angus MacIsaac , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Guysborough-Sheet Harbour , , , Ron Chisholm
2,587
37.99% , , Jim Boudreau
2,023
29.71% , , Gordon MacDonald
2,199
32.30% , , , , , , , , , Ron Chisholm , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Pictou Centre , , ,

4,262
54.70% , , Alexander MacIsaac
1,571
20.16% , , Tim Daley
1,789
22.96% , , , , Darryl Gallivan
170
2.18% , , , , ,

, - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Pictou East , , , Jim DeWolfe
3,295
44.15% , , Bob Matheson
1,929
25.85% , , John Fraser
2,239
30.00% , , , , , , , , , Jim DeWolfe , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Pictou West , , Paul Veniot
2,530
32.68% , , ,

Charlie Parker Charles Parker Jr. (August 29, 1920 – March 12, 1955), nicknamed "Bird" or "Yardbird", was an American jazz Saxophone, saxophonist, bandleader, and composer. Parker was a highly influential soloist and leading figure in the development of beb ...

3,410
44.05% , , Ed MacMaster
1,639
21.17% , , , , , , Doug Corbett
163
2.11% , , , Muriel Baillie †

Cape Breton

, - , bgcolor=whitesmoke,

Cape Breton Centre Cape Breton Centre-Whitney Pier, formerly Cape Breton Centre is a provincial electoral district in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. Its Member of the Legislative Assembly is Kendra Co ...

, , Rita Tighe-MacLeod
373
4.81% , , , Frank Corbett
3,929
50.64% , , Basil McGillivray
3,456
44.55% , , , , , , , , , Frank Corbett , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Cape Breton North , , , Cecil Clarke
3,754
43.46% , , Cecil Snow
1,714
19.84% , , Mike White
3,169
36.69% , , , , , , , , , Cecil Clarke , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Cape Breton Nova , , Todd Marsman
684
9.85% , , , Gordie Gosse
3,168
45.61% , , Mel Crowe
3,094
44.54% , , , , , , , , , Paul MacEwan † , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Cape Breton South , , John Morrison
1,677
17.27% , , Mike MacSween
2,759
28.41% , , , Manning MacDonald
5,275
54.32% , , , , , , , , , Manning MacDonald , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Cape Breton West , , Ivan Doncaster
2,221
25.51% , , Douglas MacKinlay
1,868
21.46% , , , Russell MacKinnon
4,616
53.03% , , , , , , , , , Russell MacKinnon , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke,

Glace Bay Glace Bay (Scottish Gaelic: ''Glasbaidh'') is a community in the eastern part of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality in Nova Scotia, Canada. It forms part of the general area referred to as Industrial Cape Breton. Formerly an incorporated ...

, , Mark Bettens
1,351
16.65% , , Vince Hall
2,342
28.87% , , , Dave Wilson
4,420
54.48% , , , , , , , , , Dave Wilson , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke,

Inverness Inverness (; ; from the , meaning "Mouth of the River Ness") is a city in the Scottish Highlands, having been granted city status in 2000. It is the administrative centre for The Highland Council and is regarded as the capital of the Highland ...

, , ,

Rodney MacDonald Rodney Joseph MacDonald (born January 2, 1972) is a Canadian politician, educator and musician who served as the 26th premier of Nova Scotia from 2006 to 2009 and as MLA for the riding of Inverness (provincial electoral district), Inverness in ...

5,398
51.19% , , Tim Murphy
1,277
12.11% , , Debbie Gillis
3,871
36.71% , , , , , , , , ,

, - , bgcolor=whitesmoke,

Richmond Richmond most often refers to: * Richmond, British Columbia, a city in Canada * Richmond, California, a city in the United States * Richmond, London, a town in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, England * Richmond, North Yorkshire, a town ...

, , Richie Cotton
1,850
31.18% , , Clair Rankin
1,036
17.46% , , , Michel Samson
3,047
51.36% , , , , , , , , , Michel Samson , - , bgcolor=whitesmoke, Victoria-The Lakes , ,

Keith Bain Keith Leslie Bain (born October 24, 1952) is a Canadians, Canadian politician. He represented the electoral district of Victoria-The Lakes in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 2006 to 2013 as a member of the Progressive Conservative Associ ...

2,036
32.48% , , Nancy MacKeigan
934
14.90% , , , Gerald Sampson
2,284
36.44% , , , , , , Brian Boudreau
750
11.97%
Stemer MacLeod
264
4.21% , , , Brian Boudreau

References

External links

CBC Nova Scotia Votes 2003
via Internet Archive. {{NS Elections Nova Scotia general

2003 2003 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Fresh water, Freshwater. In 2003, a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition 2003 invasion of Iraq, invaded Iraq, starting the Iraq War. Demographic ...

General election A general election is an electoral process to choose most or all members of a governing body at the same time. They are distinct from By-election, by-elections, which fill individual seats that have become vacant between general elections. Gener ...

Nova Scotia gNova Scotia general election

Campaign

General results

Results by party

Results by region

Retiring incumbents

Nominated candidates

Valley

South Shore

Fundy-Northeast

Central Halifax

Suburban Halifax

Dartmouth/Cole Harbour/Eastern Shore

Central Nova

Cape Breton

See also

References

Further reading

External links