The 1998 Nova Scotia general election was held on March 24, 1998 to elect members of the 57th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. The Liberal party and the New Democratic Party tied in the seat count, with 19 each, while the Progressive Conservatives won 14 seats. The Liberals went on to form a minority government with the support of the Progressive Conservatives.

Quick Facts 52 seats of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly 27 seats needed for a majority, Turnout ...

1998 Nova Scotia general election

← 1993 March 24, 1998 1999 →
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52 seats of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly 27 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	69.47% 5.92pp
First party Second party Third party   Leader Russell MacLellan Robert Chisholm John Hamm Party Liberal New Democratic Progressive Conservative Leader since July 12, 1997 March 30, 1996 October 28, 1995 Leader's seat Cape Breton North Halifax Atlantic Pictou Centre Last election 40 3 9 Seats won 19 19 14 Seat change 21 16 5 Popular vote 158,380 155,361 133,540 Percentage 35.10% 34.43% 29.60% Swing 13.86pp 16.71pp 1.49pp
Riding map of Nova Scotia showing winning parties
Premier before election Russell MacLellan Liberal Premier after election Russell MacLellan Liberal

Close

Liberal Premier John Savage was elected in a landslide in 1993. The Liberals inherited a $471-million deficit, and launched an austerity program which cut the province's health and education systems.^[1] On April 1, 1997, the provincial government imposed a 15% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) which merged the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and the Goods and Services Tax (GST). This shift angered some Nova Scotians who now had to pay taxes on things that had previously been exempted, such as home heating fuel. Savage also implemented an unpopular highway toll. Liberal party infighting eventually resulted in Savage's resignation in July 1997.^[2] Russell MacLellan became Premier of Nova Scotia on July 18, 1997.

The governing Liberals were desperate to distance themselves from the Savage government which was viewed as deeply unpopular. New leader, Russell MacLellan, was made the focus of the campaign with all Liberal candidates signs displaying the phrase, "the MacLellan Liberals."^[3]

During a televised debate on March 5, 1998, MacLellan stumbled badly when Progressive Conservative Leader John Hamm asked if he would resign if he failed to bring in a balanced budget. Instead of responding, MacLellan stared straight ahead and did not speak for seven seconds.^[4] MacLellan blamed the pause on rigid debate rules. This moment marked a turning point in a race that saw the Liberals barely retain power.^[5]

Liberal

• Jay Abbass, Halifax Chebucto
• Guy Brown, Cumberland South
• Bob Carruthers, Hants East
• Bill Gillis, Antigonish
• Charles MacArthur, Inverness
• John MacEachern, Cape Breton East
• Russell MacNeil, Cape Breton Centre
• Earle Rafuse, Annapolis
• Dennis Richards, Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage
• John Savage, Dartmouth South

Progressive Conservative

• Donald P. McInnes, Pictou West

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