1993 Nova Scotia general election

The 1993 Nova Scotia general election was held on May 25, 1993 to elect members of the 56th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. The Liberals under John Savage won a landslide victory over the unpopular Progressive Conservatives under Premier Donald Cameron, while Alexa McDonough's NDP remained a distant third, winning three seats.

1993 Nova Scotia general election

← 1988May 25, 19931998 →

52 seats of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
27 seats needed for a majority
Turnout75.39% Decrease 0.37 pp
 First partySecond partyThird party
 
Lib
PC
LeaderJohn SavageDonald W. CameronAlexa McDonough
PartyLiberalProgressive ConservativeNew Democratic
Leader sinceJune 20, 1992February 9, 1991November 16, 1980
Leader's seatRan in Dartmouth South (won)Pictou EastHalifax Fairview
Last election21282
Seats won4093
Seat changeIncrease19Decrease19Increase1
Popular vote237,493150,86285,946
Percentage48.96%31.09%17.72%
SwingIncrease9.59ppDecrease12.12ppIncrease2.05pp

Riding map of Nova Scotia showing winning parties

Premier before election

Donald W. Cameron
Progressive Conservative

Premier after election

John Savage
Liberal

Campaign

The Progressive Conservatives, led by Donald Cameron, campaigned on his record of making 152 reforms since assuming office in 1991. Cameron slashed government spending, cutting out free coffee and rented plants in government offices.[1] John Buchanan (served 1978 to 1990) suffered allegations of patronage which Cameron could not overcome during the election campaign. Cameron vowed to end patronage and balance the budget within three years or he would resign. However, Cameron made a controversial move by appointing two unelected women to his cabinet immediately prior to the election campaign.[2]

Liberal leader John Savage promised to end pork-barrel politics and introduce a new style of governing focusing on job creation.[1]

Opinion polls

Evolution of voting intentions at provincial level
Polling firmLast day
of survey
SourceLANSPCNSNSNDPOtherMESample
Election 1993May 25, 199348.9631.0917.721.53
OmnifactsJanuary 1992[3]54281623.9645
OmnifactsDecember 1992[4]502723550[5]
Corporate Research AssociatesDecember 1992[5]423123
OmnifactsJanuary 1992[6]3233354.0550
Election 1988September 6, 198839.3743.2115.671.19

Results

Results by party

4093
LiberalProgressive ConservativeNew Democratic
Official results [7]
PartyParty leader# of
candidates
SeatsPopular vote
1988DissolutionElectedChange#%Change (pp)
 LiberalJohn Savage52212140+19237,49348.96%+9.59%
 Progressive ConservativeDonald Cameron5228249−19150,86231.09%-12.12%
 New DemocraticAlexa McDonough52233+185,94617.72%+2.05%
 Natural Law1200001,6470.34%
 Independent12120-15,7581.19%0.00%
 Vacant2 
Total valid votes481,70699.30%-0.15%
Blank and invalid ballots3,4100.70%+0.15%
Total180525252485,116100.00%
Registered voters / turnout654,28075.39%-0.37%
Popular vote
Liberal
48.96%
PC
31.09%
New Democratic
17.72%
Independent
1.19%
Natural Law
0.34%
Seats summary
Liberal
76.92%
PC
17.31%
New Democratic
5.77%

Results by region

Party nameHRMC.B.ValleyS. ShoreFundyCentralTotal
Parties winning seats in the legislature:
 LiberalSeats:1310465240
 Popular vote:40.99%65.94%46.70%52.22%50.20%48.93%49.67%
 Progressive ConservativeSeats:1-31139
 Popular vote:29.83%19.74%36.43%29.00%37.21%39.90%31.11%
 New Democratic PartySeats:3-----3
 Popular vote:27.77%13.72%12.81%11.91%13.40%10.47%17.55%
Parties not winning seats in the legislature:
 Natural LawPopular vote:0.52%N/A0.43%N/AN/AN/A0.34%
 IndependentsPopular vote:0.89%0.60%3.62%2.24%0.27%0.69%1.18%
Total seats:1710776552

Retiring incumbents

Liberal
Progressive Conservative

Nominated candidates

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

Valley

Electoral districtCandidatesIncumbent
PCLiberalNDPNatural LawIndependent
AnnapolisGreg Kerr
3,388
30.34%
Earl Rayfuse
7,022
62.89%
Margaret Wolfe
756
6.77%
New riding
ClareGuy LeBlanc
2,854
42.87%
Wayne Gaudet
3,461
51.99%
Christian Collin
342
5.14%
Guy LeBlanc
Digby—AnnapolisWalter MacAlpine
1,521
18.72%
Joseph H. Casey
5,805
71.46%
Susan Jamieson
797
9.81%
Joseph H. Casey
Digby
Hants WestRon Russell
4,152
40.41%
Mike Doyle
4,106
39.96%
Dana Harvey
1,881
18.31%
Donald L. McKay
136
1.32%
Ron Russell
Kings NorthGeorge Archibald
4,137
42.62%
Jennifer Foster
3,980
41.01%
Cameron Jess
1,505
15.51%
Anne Dow
84
0.87%
George Archibald
Kings SouthHarry How
2,941
28.24%
Robbie Harrison
3,069
29.46%
Steve Mattson
2,064
19.82%
Peter Cameron
102
0.98%
Derrick Kimball
2,240
21.51%
Derrick Kimball
Kings WestGeorge Moody
4,895
53.08%
Baden Thurber
3,178
34.46%
Jacquie DeMestral
1,055
11.44%
Christopher MacLean
94
1.02%
George Moody

South Shore

Electoral districtCandidatesIncumbent
PCLiberalNDPNatural LawIndependent
ArgyleNeil LeBlanc
2,633
44.28%
Allister Surette
3,091
51.98%
Dee Dee Daigle
222
3.73%
Neil LeBlanc
Chester—St. Margaret'sAileen Heisler
2,867
29.49%
Jim Barkhouse
5,025
51.69%
Jack Ross
1,644
16.91%
Malcolm Callaway
185
1.90%
Jim Barkhouse
Lunenburg East
LunenburgAl Mosher
3,709
38.26%
Lila O'Connor
3,982
41.07%
Wade Vernon Garrison
1,487
15.34%
Walton Cook
517
5.33%
Al Mosher
Lunenburg Centre
Lunenburg WestMarie Dechman
2,910
28.09%
Don Downe
6,276
60.59%
Karen Reinhardt
1,172
11.31%
Marie Dechman
QueensJohn Leefe
3,529
47.11%
Marilyn Large
3,266
43.60%
Anne Corbin
696
9.29%
John Leefe
ShelburneMary E. Rose
2,002
22.71%
Clifford Huskilson
5,438
61.70%
Kathleen K. Tudor
692
7.85%
Kent A. Blades
507
5.75%
James M. Harding
175
1.99%
Harold Huskilson
YarmouthLeroy Legere
3,138
32.08%
Richie Hubbard
5,197
53.13%
Ian MacPherson
1,447
14.79%
Leroy Legere

Fundy-Northeast

Electoral districtCandidatesIncumbent
PCLiberalNDPNatural LawIndependent
Colchester—Musquodoboit ValleyKen Streatch
4,221
45.74%
John David Tilley
3,463
37.52%
Roger J. Hunka
1,545
16.74%
R. Colin Stewart
Colchester South
Colchester NorthTom Taggart
3,306
35.02%
Ed Lorraine
5,123
54.27%
Patsy Forrest
1,010
10.70%
Ed Lorraine
Cumberland NorthErnie Fage
4,354
40.63%
Ross Bragg
5,605
52.31%
Curtis Leland Bird
756
7.06%
Ross Bragg
Cumberland West
Cumberland SouthMac Bennett
1,570
17.69%
Guy Brown
6,713
75.63%
Douglas Meekins
431
4.86%
Philip T. Donkin
162
1.83%
Guy Brown
Cumberland Centre
Hants EastStephen MacKeil
3,657
37.43%
Bob Carruthers
4,295
43.97%
Terry MacLean
1,817
18.60%
Jack Hawkins
Truro—Bible HillJack Coupar
4,134
38.36%
Eleanor Norrie
4,321
40.10%
Rick Bowden
2,321
21.54%
Ron Giffin

Central Halifax

Electoral districtCandidatesIncumbent
PCLiberalNDPNatural LawIndependent
Halifax Bedford BasinJoel Matheson
4,270
37.63%
Gerry Fogarty
4,676
41.21%
Clarrie MacKinnon
2,323
20.47%
Pulkesh Lakhanpal
77
0.68%
Joel Matheson
Halifax ChebuctoJ. Clair Callaghan
2,903
27.07%
Jay Abbass
3,906
36.42%
Eileen O'Connell
3,800
35.43%
Christopher Collrin
116
1.08%
Alexa McDonough
Halifax CitadelTerry Donahoe
4,584
39.23%
Liz Crocker
4,505
38.55%
Mary Sparling
2,433
20.82%
Gilles Bigras
78
0.67%
Jan Morrison
85
0.73%
Art Donahoe
Halifax FairviewRosanna Liberatore
2,078
19.75%
Art Flynn
3,558
33.82%
Alexa McDonough
4,789
45.52%
Mark Hawkins
96
0.91%
New riding
Halifax NeedhamRon Walter Milsom
1,852
18.48%
Gerry O'Malley
4,527
45.18%
Innis MacDonald
3,555
35.48%
Ian Temple
85
0.85%
Gerry O'Malley

Suburban Halifax

Electoral districtCandidatesIncumbent
PCLiberalNDPNatural LawIndependent
Bedford—Fall RiverPeter J. Kelly
4,401
40.57%
Francene Cosman
4,794
44.19%
Ryan Kidney
1,653
15.24%
Ken Streatch
Bedford-Musquodoboit Valley
Halifax AtlanticKevin Umlah
2,731
25.16%
Randy Ball
4,053
37.34%
Robert Chisholm
4,071
37.50%
Robert Chisholm
Sackville—Beaver BankStephen Taylor
2,353
26.93%
Bill MacDonald
3,620
41.43%
Frank Sutherland
2,764
31.64%
New riding
Sackville—CobequidGeorge Mansfield
2,313
22.00%
Don Boutilier
3,159
30.04%
John Holm
5,044
47.97%
John Holm
Sackville
Timberlea—ProspectDebi Forsyth-Smith
2,744
30.54%
Bruce Holland
3,470
38.62%
Bill Estabrooks
2,772
30.85%
Jerry Lawrence
Halifax-St. Margaret's

Dartmouth/Cole Harbour/Eastern Shore

Electoral districtCandidatesIncumbent
PCLiberalNDPNatural LawIndependent
Cole Harbour—Eastern PassageJohn Gold
3,409
34.89%
Dennis Richards
4,702
48.13%
Ash Shaikh
1,501
15.36%
Helen Creighton
158
1.62%
New riding
Dartmouth—Cole HarbourMichael L. MacDonald
2,905
31.31%
Alan Mitchell
4,079
43.97%
Gail Cann
2,293
24.72%
David Nantes
Cole Harbour
Dartmouth EastGwen Haliburton
2,429
27.46%
Jim Smith
4,912
55.53%
Owen Hertzman
1,504
17.00%
Jim Smith
Dartmouth NorthMike Brownlow
2,327
27.11%
Sandy Jolly
3,301
38.46%
Jerry Pye
2,878
33.53%
Monique Poudrette
77
0.90%
Sandy Jolly
Dartmouth SouthColin May
3,091
31.47%
John Savage
4,346
44.25%
Don Chard
2,221
22.61%
Alexander J. Gillis
163
1.66%
Roland J. Thornhill
Eastern ShoreTom McInnis
3,523
40.72%
Keith Colwell
3,760
43.46%
Gary Moore
1,369
15.82%
Tom McInnis
Halifax Eastern Shore
PrestonDarryl Gray
1,016
20.94%
Wayne Adams
1,872
38.57%
Yvonne Atwell
584
12.03%
David Hendsbee
1,381
28.46%
New riding

Central Nova

Electoral districtCandidatesIncumbent
PCLiberalNDPNatural LawIndependent
AntigonishLiz Chisholm
3,196
28.26%
Bill Gillis
7,292
64.48%
Marion MacDonald
821
7.26%
Bill Gillis
Guysborough—Port HawkesburyChuck MacNeil
4,242
43.20%
Ray White
5,487
56.55%
Frank X. Fraser
982
10.12%
Chuck MacNeil
Guysborough
Pictou CentreJohn Hamm
4,840
47.40%
Mary Daley
4,364
42.73%
Cecil MacNeil
1,008
9.87%
Jack MacIsaac
Pictou EastDonald Cameron
4,446
47.05%
Wayne Fraser
3,729
39.46%
Dave Peters
1,275
13.49%
Donald Cameron
Pictou WestDonald P. McInnes
4,032
45.72%
Rob McDowell
3,347
37.95%
Sonny Campbell
1,097
12.44%
Edward MacMaster
343
3.89%
Donald P. McInnes

Cape Breton

Electoral districtCandidatesIncumbent
PCLiberalNDPNatural LawIndependent
Cape Breton CentreJulien Frison
1,012
10.99%
Russell MacNeil
5,644
61.28%
Victor Tomiczek
2,554
27.73%
Russell MacNeil
Cape Breton EastGreg Hicks
1,069
10.38%
John MacEachern
7,566
73.50%
Terry McVarish
1,659
16.12%
John MacEachern
Cape Breton NorthBrian Young
3,911
36.43%
Ron Stewart
5,459
50.85%
Archie MacKinnon
1,289
12.01%
Ron Laffin
76
0.71%
Brian Young
Cape Breton NovaJoe Currie
443
5.34%
Paul MacEwan
6,816
82.22%
Blair Riley
1,031
12.44%
Paul MacEwan
Cape Breton SouthNorm Ferguson
2,015
20.59%
Manning MacDonald
5,629
57.52%
Peter Mancini
2,143
21.90%
Vince MacLean
Cape Breton—The LakesLauchie G. Leslie
1,264
13.79%
Bernie Boudreau
6,591
71.90%
Helen MacDonald
1,312
14.31%
Bernie Boudreau
Cape Breton WestVictor Hanham
2,055
19.56%
Russell MacKinnon
7,355
70.01%
Daniel O'Connor
777
7.40%
Wendy MacKenzie
318
3.03%
Russell MacKinnon
InvernessFrank Crowdis
2,944
30.51%
Charles MacArthur
5,804
60.15%
Mary T. Goodwin
902
9.35%
Charles MacArthur
Inverness North
RichmondChuck Boudreau
1,587
21.70%
Richie Mann
5,440
74.40%
Wilf Cude
285
3.90%
Richie Mann
VictoriaWalter S. Brett
1,488
28.78%
Kennie MacAskill
3,119
60.32%
Gerald Yetman
414
8.01%
Stemer MacLeod
150
2.90%
Kennie MacAskill

References