Stephen McNeil

Greg Farries — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 08:31:42 -0600

Stephen McNeil became leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party on April 28, 2007, signaling a time of renewal for the Party. McNeil serves as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Annapolis, a riding he has held since 2003.

At the time of writing, issues of major concern to the Liberal Party included high fuel costs and the state of the province's health care system. McNeil has also advocated strongly for seniors, rural Nova Scotians, and the rights of the disabled. He serves as the critic for community services and the Disabled Persons Commission. Previously, he served as caucus whip and Liberal critic for agriculture, seniors, community services, tourism and culture, and the Disabled Persons Commission.

In 2003, as a newcomer to Nova Scotia provincial politics, McNeil quickly made a name for himself. During his first term, he worked to address his constituents' needs. In 2005, he forced the government to repay $1 million to low-income seniors who were unfairly charged pharmacare premiums. He was also instrumental in passing a bill to allow persons with a disability the dignity of managing their own care.

Prior to entering politics, McNeil owned and operated a successful small business for more than 18 years. The twelfth of 17 children in a tight-knit family, McNeil has stayed close to his roots. As a young adult, he opted to attend Nova Scotia Community College to learn a trade and then return to the Annapolis Valley to be close to his family.

McNeil resides in Upper Granville, Annapolis County, with his wife Andrea and their two children, Colleen and Jeffrey.