1998 Nova Scotia general election

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.

1998 Nova Scotia general election
March 24, 1998
52 seats of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
27 seats needed for a majority
  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 158,620 155,361 133,540
Percentage 35.34% 34.62% 29.75%
Swing 14.36% 16.92% 3.35%
Riding map of Nova Scotia showing winning parties
Premier before election

Russell MacLellan
Liberal

 Premier after election

Russell MacLellan
Liberal

Background

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.

Campaign

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]

Results

Results by party
Party Party leader # of
candidates		 Seats Popular vote
1993 Dissolution Elected % Change # % Change
  Liberal Russell MacLellan 52 40 37 19 -52.5% 158,620 35.34% -14.36%
  New Democratic Robert Chisholm 52 3 4 19 +533.3% 155,361 34.62% +16.92%
  Progressive Conservative John Hamm 52 9 11 14 +55.6% 133,540 29.75% -3.35%
     Independent Candidates 7 - - - - 1,325 0.30%
Total 163 52 52 52   448,846 100%  
Popular vote
Liberal
 
 35.34%
New Democratic
 
 34.62%
PC
 
 29.75%
Others
 
 0.29%
Seats summary
Liberal
 
 36.54%
New Democratic
 
 36.54%
PC
 
 26.92%

Results by region
Party name HRM C.B. Valley S. Shore Fundy Central Total
Parties winning seats in the legislature:
  Liberal Seats: 4 7 3 2 1 2 19
  Popular vote: 34.46% 44.91% 32.54% 35.30% 29.31% 31.42% 35.34%
  New Democratic Party Seats: 13 3 - 1 1 1 19
  Popular vote: 43.94% 38.02% 25.44% 28.09% 25.57% 27.41% 34.62%
  Progressive Conservative Seats: - - 4 4 4 2 14
  Popular vote: 21.47% 16.16% 41.66% 36.46% 44.98% 41.17% 29.75%
Parties not winning seats in the legislature:
     Independents Popular vote: 0.13% 0.91% 0.36% 0.15% 0.14% - 0.30%
Total seats: 17 10 7 7 6 5 52
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References
  1. MacLellan New NS Premier Maclean's - July 21, 1997
  2. A Savage sweep in Nova Scotia CBC Archives
  3. Lawn signs for politicians in Canada tough to perfect, says Graham Steele CBC News
  4. 'It went very well' Halifax Chronicle Herald - March 6, 1998
  5. N.S. election: Leaders hoping to avoid costly gaffes during upcoming debate CTV News
  • Government of Nova Scotia. "Summary Results from 1867 to 2011" (PDF). Elections Statistics. Elections Nova Scotia. Retrieved 2013-10-01.


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