The Progressive Conservatives have won a second consecutive majority government in Nova Scotia.
Here’s the latest on election night with the three main parties: the Progressive Conservatives led by Tim Houston, who is seeking a second term as premier; the Liberals led by Zach Churchill; and the NDP led by Claudia Chender.
Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston has won the riding of Pictou East.
Houston has been premier since 2021, and leader of the Tories since 2018.
His party has won a decisive majority government, the second since 2021.
Green Party Leader Anthony Edmonds has lost in the riding of Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank.
NDP Leader Claudia Chender has won the riding of Dartmouth South.
Chender was first elected to the legislature in 2017 and was named party leader in 2022.
The Progressive Conservatives have won their second consecutive majority government under leader Tim Houston. With results continuing to flood in it appears they will grow their majority from the 34 seats they held going into the election.
Tara Miller, the Tory campaign co-chair, says this year’s campaign has been different compared to the 2021 election. She says while health care is “still Number 1” as an issue, affordability and housing took hold as major concerns for many Nova Scotians.
This time around, the Tories put forward plans to raise the minimum wage and lower some taxes.
Miller says the province trusted Houston in 2021 to tackle the issues facing the health-care system, “and we feel that trust has continued forward.”
Anticipation mounts at the various party headquarters as workers await the first results.
In New Glasgow, N.S., Tyler Cameron, a member of the Progressive Conservative campaign team, says he spent the day making phone calls and knocking on doors, reminding people to get out and vote. Cameron says the Tories are “feeling good” as they seek a second majority government.
In Halifax, Brandon Rose, an NDP adviser, says the party’s campaign has been “really encouraging.” Rose says the election has given Nova Scotians the opportunity to get to know Claudia Chender who conducted her first campaign as party leader.
The Liberals are gathered at a hotel in Yarmouth, N.S., the riding of party leader Zach Churchill. The Liberals are in for a fight as they try to retain official opposition status.
Polls have closed, but a delayed start in voting at a polling station in the Eastern Shore community of Mushaboom means it will remain open until 9 p.m. to compensate for the later start.
Elections Nova Scotia says while the vote count will proceed, results can’t be released until all polls are closed, so there will likely be a rapid flow of early results once the voting tallies are released.
Key contests are expected in the Halifax area where the Tories are looking to make gains in the suburbs, with the Liberals and NDP hoping to collect wins in the urban ridings where they have been competitive in the past.
At dissolution, the Conservatives held 34 seats in the 55-seat legislature. The Liberals held 14 seats, while the NDP had six and there was one Independent.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024.
