Russell_MacNeil

Russell MacNeil

Russell MacNeil

Canadian politician (1931–2018)

Russell Francis MacNeil (February 24, 1931 – June 16, 2018) was a Canadian politician. He represented the electoral district of Cape Breton Centre in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1989 to 1998. He was a member of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.[1]

Quick Facts MLA for Cape Breton Centre, Preceded by ...

Early life and career

MacNeil was born in 1931 at New Waterford, Nova Scotia.[2] He graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with an arts degree in 1953, and an education degree in 1954.[3][4] Following graduation, MacNeil was a physical education teacher in New Waterford, and later served as the recreation director for the province of Nova Scotia.[4]

Political career

MacNeil entered provincial politics in 1989, running as the Liberal candidate in a Cape Breton Centre by-election.[5] Defeated by seven votes on election night,[6][7] the number was reduced to two when official results were announced.[8][9] However, a judicial recount in September ended with MacNeil being declared the winner by three votes.[10] His Progressive Conservative opponent appealed to the Nova Scotia Supreme Court,[11] and in February 1990, the by-election was declared invalid and MacNeil's victory voided.[12] A second by-election was held on August 28, 1990, with MacNeil winning the seat.[10] He was re-elected in the 1993 election,[13] and served as a backbench member of John Savage's government. MacNeil did not seek re-election in 1998.[14]

MacNeil died on June 16, 2018, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.[15]

References

  1. [1]
    "Electoral History for Cape Breton Centre" (PDF). Nova Scotia Legislative Library. Retrieved 2018-04-02.
  2. [2]
    The Canadian Parliamentary Guide. P.G. Normandin. 1994. p. 767. ISBN 9780921925545.
  3. [3]
    "It all started at the Strand Gym for Russell MacNeil". Cape Breton Post. May 27, 2010. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  4. [4]
    "Russell MacNeil: Retired MLA and sports hall of famer". The Chronicle Herald. February 24, 2018. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  5. [5]
    "Cape Breton summer by-election heating up". The Globe and Mail. August 21, 1989.
  6. [6]
    "Tory wrests riding from Liberal by 7 votes". The Globe and Mail. August 23, 1989.
  7. [7]
    "Tory wins by 7 votes in Cape Breton riding". Toronto Star. August 23, 1989.
  8. [8]
    "Two-vote margin found after Nova Scotia recount". The Globe and Mail. August 30, 1989.
  9. [9]
    "Recount ordered in N.S. by-election". Toronto Star. August 30, 1989.
  10. [10]
    "Return of By-elections for the House of Assembly 1989 and 1990" (PDF). Elections Nova Scotia. 1990. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
  11. [11]
    "N.S. Tories to appeal by-election recount". The Globe and Mail. September 26, 1989.
  12. [12]
    "N.S. judge orders 2nd by-election". The Globe and Mail. February 2, 1990.
  13. [13]
    "Returns of General Election for the House of Assembly 1993" (PDF). Elections Nova Scotia. 1993. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
  14. [14]
    "Coal is king in C.B. Centre". The Chronicle Herald. March 11, 1998. Archived from the original on January 23, 2005. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
  15. [15]
    "New Waterford loses two former Cape Breton MLAs". Cape Breton Post. June 17, 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-17.


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