Maureen MacDonald

Maureen MacDonald
MLA for Halifax Needham
In office
March 24, 1998  April 12, 2016
Preceded by Gerry O'Malley
Leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party
Interim
In office
November 23, 2013  February 27, 2016
Preceded by Darrell Dexter
Succeeded by Gary Burrill
Minister of Finance
In office
May 30, 2012  October 22, 2013
Preceded by Graham Steele
Succeeded by Diana Whalen
Minister of Health
In office
June 19, 2009  May 30, 2012
Preceded by Karen Casey
Succeeded by Dave Wilson
Minister of Health Promotion and Protection
In office
June 19, 2009  January 11, 2011
Preceded by Pat Dunn
Succeeded by department merged[1]
Minister of Gaelic Affairs
In office
June 19, 2009  October 22, 2013
Preceded by Angus MacIsaac
Succeeded by Randy Delorey
Personal details
Born Antigonish, Nova Scotia
Political party NDP
Occupation social worker, professor

Maureen MacDonald is a Canadian academic and politician. She represented the riding of Halifax Needham in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1998 to 2016. She served as the interim leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party from November 23, 2013 to February 27, 2016.[2]

Early life and career

A native of Antigonish, MacDonald graduated in 1979 with a MSW from the Maritime School of Social Work at Dalhousie University. She was employed as a social worker at the Nova Scotia Hospital (Adolescent Services) and later was a faculty member at her alma mater where she taught social policy and community development. MacDonald also worked at Dalhousie Legal Aid, the North End Clinic and the North End Parent Resource Centre.

Political career

In 1998 MacDonald successfully ran for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party nomination in Halifax Needham. She was elected in the 1998 provincial election and was re-elected in the 1999, 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2013 provincial elections.

On June 19, 2009 MacDonald was appointed to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia where she served as Minister of Health as well as Minister of Health Promotion and Protection.[3] On May 30, 2012, Premier Darrell Dexter shuffled his cabinet, appointing MacDonald as Minister of Finance.[4] On May 10, 2013 MacDonald was appointed Minister of African Nova Scotia Affairs.[5]

MacDonald was one of only seven NDP MLAs returned in the 2013 provincial election in which the Dexter government was defeated. On November 16, 2013, it was announced that MacDonald would become the party's interim leader when Dexter steps down as leader on November 23, 2013.[6]

On April 12, 2016, MacDonald announced she was resigning as MLA.[7]

References

  1. "Premier Dexter makes changes to cabinet". The Vanguard. January 11, 2011. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  2. "NDP appoints caucus veteran MacDonald as acting party leader". The Chronicle Herald. November 23, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  3. "Atlantic Canada's 1st NDP government takes office in Nova Scotia". CBC News, June 19, 2009. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  4. "First female finance minister appointed in N.S.". CBC. May 31, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
  5. "N.S. cabinet minister resigns after bathroom fight". CBC. May 10, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  6. "Darrell Dexter steps down as Nova Scotia's NDP leader". CBC News. November 16, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  7. "Maureen MacDonald retires from provincial politics after 18 years as MLA". CBC News. April 12, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2016.

External links

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