2021 Liberal leadership contest

On October 5, 2020, Rankin launched his campaign for Leadership of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, following Premier Stephen McNeil's announcement that he would be stepping down from his office. The other candidates in this contest were fellow former cabinet ministers Randy Delorey and Labi Kousoulis.

On February 6, 2021, Rankin was announced the Leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, and premier-designate of Nova Scotia.^[3]

Premier of Nova Scotia

On February 23, 2021, Iain Rankin became the 29th Premier of Nova Scotia, succeeding Stephen McNeil following a competitive leadership election.^[30] Following his election, he called a legislative session to pursue his legislative agenda, including an increase of $100 a month for all adults on income assistance, the largest single increase in the program's history,^[31] and efforts to address systemic racism and advance equality issues. These included passage of the Emancipation Day Act, which formally recognizes the day the British Parliament abolished slavery,^[32] and the Land Titles Initiative Acceleration Act, a bill that will help speed up the process of settling land titles for people living in historically Black communities.^[33] Rankin also appointed Andrea Anderson as the province's public service commissioner, the first person of colour to head the commission.^[34] Rankin created new Offices for Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives, as well as Mental Health and Addictions.^[35] Rankin signed a $605 million agreement with the federal government to establish $10 per day childcare in Nova Scotia, by 2026.^[36]

Through the new Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives, Rankin announced the creation of a working group that would help with race-based data collection. The data would be used to help improve equity, inclusion and diversity in health care and address racism.^[37] To help address systemic racism in the justice system Rankin announced $4.8 million to establish the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute.^[38]

On his first day in office, Rankin announced incentives for the purchase of new and used electric vehicles as well as energy efficiency support for low-income Nova Scotians.^[39] In his throne speech, Rankin announced a commitment to get Nova Scotia off coal by 2030, ten years earlier than previously planned.^[40] The Environment Department was renamed Environment and Climate Change to highlight Rankin's commitment to the issue, and all mandate letters to ministers noted the need to consider climate change and for it to factor into their respective policy and program decisions.^[41] The Rankin government announced 61 more wilderness areas, nature reserves and provincial parks.^[42]

In recognition of Mi’kmaq people, language, and the significant geographical location, Rankin unveiled a new sign in Mi’kmaq, labelled "Pjila’si Unama’kik", at the causeway in Cape Breton, along with Mi’kmaq elders and chiefs.^[43]

The Rankin government invested $5 million to help make the sports more inclusive and accessible. The biggest investment in community and amateur sport in recent history.^[44]

Former premier Rodney MacDonald joined Rankin, in Mabou, to announce the creation of a satellite campus in Mabou for the Gaelic College, called Beinn Mhabu. The province invested 1.92 million to renovate St Joseph’s convent. It opened in September, of 2023.^[45] Rankin was also responsible for launching a new Forest innovation Centre at the Nova Scotia Community College. The first forestry training facility in the province.^[46]

In April 2021, following a spike in COVID-19 cases, Rankin enacted lockdown measures which brought case numbers down, and case numbers remained low for the remainder of his tenure.^[47] Nova Scotia maintained the highest vaccination rates in Canada.^{[48][better source needed]} Rankin launched a plan to add 264 new long-term care beds and replace 1,298 beds at 14 nursing homes and three residential care facilities across the province.^[49]

In June 2021, with the Liberal government enjoying a 75% approval rating, Rankin called for an election.^[50] While the Liberals focused on their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Progressive Conservatives ran a campaign that was largely focused on the ongoing Healthcare crisis in Nova Scotia.^[51] Despite starting the campaign with a lead of 8 points in the polls,^[52] the Progressive Conservatives, led by Tim Houston, won a majority government. This marked the first time since 2006 that the Progressive Conservatives had won an election in Nova Scotia. Rankin claimed full responsibility for the loss.^[53]

On January 5, 2022, Rankin announced that he will resign as leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party once a new leader is chosen.