Leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party

Early Beginnings and Educational Achievements

Darrell Dexter was raised in Milton, Nova Scotia. His father was a sheet metal worker who taught his son about the value of education. Dexter was the first member of his family to pursue university studies and subsequently earned three degrees: a degree in Journalism from the University of King’s College and degrees in both Education and Law from Dalhousie University.

Pre-Political Life

Prior to entering politics, Dexter was a submarine lieutenant in the Canadian Navy, and then a lawyer. He developed his communications skills while working on his journalism degree at the University of King’s College and as a reporter with the Halifax Daily News. While Dexter was in the Canadian Armed Forces in British Columbia, he graduated from Officer Training School. He then became a Command Information Officer for Maritime Forces Pacific and was seconded to the DND Office of Information on Esquimalt, BC. He served as sub-lieutenant aboard the HMCS Yukon and the HMCS Qu’appelle. As the head of the Dartmouth Downtown Development Corporation, and as a member of the Dartmouth Waterfront Task Force in the 1990s, he became engaged in furthering the renaissance of the downtown Dartmouth business district.

Political Life

Darrell Dexter was first elected to public office as a Dartmouth City Councillor in 1994.  He was subsequently elected as the MLA for Dartmouth Cole Harbour in 1998 and re-elected in 1999. As an MLA, Dexter has served as the NDP critic for economic development and for health. He was elected as leader of the party in June 2001, replacing Helen MacDonald. Since his early days in student politics at Dalhousie University, he has made accessible education for all young people a top priority.

Dexter is committed to balanced budgets and reducing the economic burden of the provincial debt through a balanced and responsible approach that includes spending on key areas as necessary.

Personal and Community Life

Dexter is married to Kelly Wilson. They have one son and live in Cole Harbour. He is an avid basketball fan.