Rodney MacDonald

Greg Farries — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 08:31:07 -0600

Rodney MacDonald is Nova Scotia's 26th Premier and Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia. He is the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Inverness.

MacDonald gained national notoriety beginning in early 2007 for his opposition to a federal government proposal requiring that Nova Scotia choose between offshore revenue guarantees (contained in the Atlantic Accord) and a new equalization formula included in the federal budget.

In 2005-06, MacDonald ran in the Progressive Conservative leadership race to replace retiring leader and Premier John Hamm. MacDonald was elected leader and sworn in as Nova Scotia's Premier on February 24, 2006. On June 13, 2006, MacDonald retained the Premiership when his Party won the provincial general election, albeit forming a minority government.

MacDonald entered politics in 1999, representing the Conservative MLA for the riding of Inverness. During the course of his political career, he held several cabinet appointments, including: Minister of Tourism, Minister of Culture and Heritage, Minister of Health Promotion, and Minister of Immigration. He has also been responsible for the Heritage Property Act, the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation and the Nova Scotia Youth Secretariat.

Born in Inverness, Nova Scotia, on January 2, 1972, MacDonald grew up in Mabou, Growing up he participated in numerous extracurricular activities including hockey and music. MacDonald showed an early interest in politics, closely following his father's work as a local councillor. He attended St. Francis Xavier University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. He was a professional musician, in addition to teaching for the Strait Regional School Board, the Mi'kmawey School at Chapel Island. MacDonald subsequently pursued his Masters in Education.

He is married to Lori-Ann Gillis and they have one son. MacDonald is also an accomplished musician. In 1998, he received two nominations as a fiddler at the East Coast Music Awards.