Robert Batherson

Robert Batherson is a Canadian politician and public affairs executive[1] past president of the Conservative Party of Canada.[2] Before becoming national president, Batherson was a two-term National Councillor from Nova Scotia.

Robert Batherson
President of the Conservative Party of Canada
In office
March 19, 2021 – September 8, 2023
LeaderErin O'Toole
Candice Bergen
Pierre Poilievre
Preceded byScott Lamb
Succeeded byStephen Barber
President of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia
In office
November 2009 – February 2012
LeaderKaren Casey
Jamie Baillie
Preceded byScott Armstrong
Succeeded byJanet Fryday Dorey
Personal details
Born (1975-11-03) November 3, 1975 (age 48)
Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Political partyConservative
Other political
affiliations
Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia
Children1
ResidenceHalifax, Nova Scotia
Alma materMount Saint Vincent University
ProfessionPublic Affairs Executive

Personal life

Batherson was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia. He moved to Riverview, New Brunswick and then later to Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia. He was educated at Sackville High School. Batherson earned his bachelor's degree in Public Relations at Mount Saint Vincent University in 1997. He has worked as a marketing executive in various sectors as well as a staffer on Parliament Hill prior to his current role.[3][4] Batherson is married and has one son. He is proficient in French and he is the first Conservative Party of Canada President from Atlantic Canada.

Politics

Batherson began working in communications and research for the Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia Caucus Office and later worked as a political staffer for Peter MacKay.[5] In the 1998 Nova Scotia general election, Batherson ran as a Progressive Conservative party candidate in the riding of Sackville-Cobequid.[6][7] Following the 1999 Nova Scotia general election he worked as Premier John Hamm's Press Secretary and later as his Communications Director.[8]

Batherson served in the role of President of the Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia between 2009 and 2012.[9]

Batherson then ran again in 2017 Nova Scotia general election in the riding of Halifax Citadel-Sable Island.[10]

In 2016, Batherson was first elected to the Conservative Party of Canada's National Council as a councillor from Nova Scotia. In March 2021, he was elected as the president of the Conservative Party of Canada, taking over from Scott Lamb.[11]

Professional career

Batherson works as a communications and public affairs advisor.[12][13] He has served as the chair of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce[14] and the Neptune Theatre Foundation.[15] Batherson has also served as a member of the Halifax Stanfield International Airport's board of directors.[16]

Electoral record

2017 Nova Scotia general election: Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
LiberalLabi Kousoulis2,41941.28-6.38
New DemocraticGlenn Walton1,61827.61-3.47
Progressive ConservativeRob Batherson1,48025.26+7.68
GreenMartin Willison3435.85+2.67
Total valid votes5,860100
Total rejected ballots290.49
Turnout5,88939.3
Eligible voters14,910
Liberal holdSwing-1.46
Source: Elections Nova Scotia[17][18]
1998 Nova Scotia general election: Sackville-Cobequid
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
New DemocraticJohn Holm5,90962.71%14.74%
LiberalJack Brill2,13122.61%-7.43%
Progressive ConservativeRob Batherson1,38314.68%-7.32%
Total valid votes9,42399.71
Total rejected ballots270.29-0.19
Turnout9,45067.26-6.62
Eligible voters14,050
New Democratic holdSwing+11.08
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2021). "Electoral History for Sackville-Cobequid" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.

References