Iain Rankin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For people named Ian Rankin, see Ian Rankin.
The Honourable
Iain Rankin
MLA
Iain Rankin leadership.jpg
Leader of the Opposition
Assumed office
August 31, 2021
Preceded byTim Houston
29th Premier of Nova Scotia
In office
February 23, 2021 – August 31, 2021
MonarchElizabeth II
Lieutenant GovernorArthur J. LeBlanc
DeputyKelly Regan
Preceded byStephen McNeil
Succeeded byTim Houston
Leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party
Assumed office
February 6, 2021
Preceded byStephen McNeil
Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
for Timberlea-Prospect
Assumed office
October 8, 2013
Preceded byBill Estabrooks
Personal details
Born
Iain Thomas Rankin

(1983-04-09) April 9, 1983 (age 38)[citation needed]
Inverness, Nova Scotia[1]
Political partyLiberal
Spouse(s)Mary Chisholm
ResidenceHalifax, Nova Scotia
Alma materHolland College, Mount Saint Vincent University
WebsiteOfficial website

Iain Thomas Rankin[2] (born April 9,[citation needed] 1983) is a Canadian politician who served as the 29th premier of Nova Scotia from February 23, 2021 to August 31, 2021. He serves in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly for the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, representing the electoral district of Timberlea-Prospect .[3] Rankin was first elected in the 2013 Nova Scotia general election and was re-elected in the 2017 general election. On February 6, 2021, Rankin was announced the Leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.[4]

On February 23, 2021, Iain Rankin became the 29th Premier of Nova Scotia. Rankin called an election for August 17, 2021, which his Liberal Party lost to the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia. Rankin left office as Premier on August 31, 2021 when Houston took the oath. At that time, Rankin became the Leader of the Opposition in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.

Early life and education[]

Born in Inverness, Nova Scotia, Rankin grew up in Timberlea. He is the son of long-term Halifax city councillor Reg Rankin.[1] Rankin graduated from Sir John A. Macdonald High School in 2001. He received a diploma in Professional Golf Management from Holland College, a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mount Saint Vincent University in 2006[5] and a Masters of Arts in International Politics at CERIS-ULB Diplomatic School of Brussels.[6][7]

Before entering politics, Iain was employed as an operations manager and as a project manager. He was the Director of Operations for Dymon Storage Corporation, in Ottawa, Ontario.[8] After returning to Nova Scotia in 2011, Iain successfully managed the launch, as an operating partner, of Premiere Self Storage, in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.[9][10][11] He went on to work as a project manager in the commercial division of Armco Capital, focusing on redevelopment assignments in Nova Scotia and Quebec.

Advocacy[]

Rankin, a rescue dog owner, supported the Nova Scotia government's plan to outlaw tying pets up for longer than 12 hours.[12] In 2014 with the support of local residents, Rankin participated in a campaign with lawn signs target speeders with message to slow down.[13] Through a private member’s bill and was passed by the legislature, Rankin submitted Bill 176 which will restrict Otter Lake Waste Facility to its current height and size.[14][15][16]

Rankin participated in a virtual event commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children, speaking alongside MLA Tony Ince, Sen. Wanda Thomas Bernard and Rev. Rhonda Britton.[17]

Political career[]

Rankin first ran for public office in the 2013 Nova Scotia general election and was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. During his first term, he served as the Liberal caucus chair.[18] He was vice-chair of the public accounts committee, and a member of the assembly matters and the private and local bills committees. He was also a member of the House of Assembly Management Commission.

In 2014, Rankin was elected president of the provincial section of the Francophone Parliamentarian Association, when the membership broke from tradition by not electing an opposition party member.[19]

On June 15, 2017, Rankin was appointed to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia as Minister of Environment.[20] Rankin hired the first dedicated crown prosecutor to handle cases related to the Environment Act, food safety, public health, meat inspection, fisheries and aquaculture, animal welfare, natural resources and the fur industry.[21] Rankin passed legislation to introduce a cap and trade system in Nova Scotia.[22] As Minister of Environment, Rankin joined other leaders across the continent agreeing to regional cooperation on carbon pricing in the Americas.[23] Rankin signed an agreement to join the Western Climate Initiative Inc. to use its IT system to manage and track the new cap and trade program.[24] In order to define a coastal protection zone in the province, Rankin launched public consultations on future coastal protection legislation which passed in the legislature.[25] Calling the toxic Boat Harbour lagoon one of the worst examples of environmental racism in the province and possibly the country, Rankin announced details of a long-awaited clean up at Northern Pulp’s wastewater lagoon, on the edge of Pictou Landing First Nation. It is Nova Scotia’s biggest environmental remediation project since the Sydney Tar Ponds.[26] He commissioned an assessment of a contaminated site in Harrietsfield. For years, many residents have not been able to drink their water due to contaminants from a former salvage yard. This was an unprecedented step never used before with the Environment Act.[27]

On July 5, 2018, Rankin was moved to Minister of Lands and Forestry in a cabinet shuffle.[28] While Minister of Lands and Forestry, Rankin secured $47.9 million to clean up two former gold mines in what was the beginning of a project to evaluate and clean up all of the abandoned mine sites in Nova Scotia.[29] The Department of Lands and Forestry committed $1 million to create The Shaw Wilderness Park 153-hectare (379-acre) nature reserve in the Williams Lake area of Halifax.[30] Rankin signed the first ever Mi'kmaq Forest Initiative giving the Mi’kmaq forest planning and management responsibility on two blocks of Crown land, totalling about twenty-thousand hectares.[31]

Rankin resigned from cabinet in October 2020 and announced his candidacy for the leadership of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.[32]

2021 Liberal leadership contest[]

On October 5, 2020, Rankin launched his campaign for Leadership of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, following Premier Stephen McNeil's announcement that he would be stepping down from his office. The other candidates in this contest were fellow former cabinet ministers Randy Delorey and Labi Kousoulis.

Rankin ran on a policy platform comprising five pillars:

On February 6, 2021, Rankin was announced the Leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, and premier-designate of Nova Scotia.[4]

Premier of Nova Scotia[]

On February 23, 2021, Iain Rankin became the 29th Premier of Nova Scotia, succeeding Stephen McNeil following a competitive leadership election.[33] Following his election, he called a legislative session to pursue his legislative agenda, including an increase of $100 a month for all adults on income assistance, the largest single increase in the program's history by a large margin,[34] and efforts to address systemic racism and advance equality issues. These included passage of the Emancipation Day Act, which formally recognizes the day the British Parliament abolished slavery,[35] and the Land Titles Initiative Acceleration Act, a bill that will help speed up the process of settling land titles for people living in historically Black communities.[36] Rankin also appointed Andrea Anderson as the province's public service commissioner, the first person of colour to head the commission.[37]

The Environment Department was renamed Environment and Climate Change to highlight Rankin's commitment to the issue, and all mandate letters to ministers noted the need to consider climate change and for it to factor into their respective policy and program decisions.[38]

Rankin created an Office of Equity and Anti-Racism, as well as an Office of Mental Health and Addictions. Dr. Sam Hickcox was appointed as the first chief officer of the newly created Office of Mental Health and Addictions.[39]

In recognition of Mi’kmaq people, language, and the significant geographical location, Rankin (who renamed the Department of Aboriginal Affairs to L’nu Affairs), unveiled a new sign in Mi’kmaq, Pjila’si Unama’kik at the causeway in Cape Breton, along with Mi’kmaq elders and chiefs.[40]

On his first day in office, Rankin announced incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles as well as energy efficiency support for low-income Nova Scotians.[41] In his throne speech, Rankin announced a bold commitment to get Nova Scotia off coal by 2030, ten years earlier than previously planned.[42] Rankin launched a plan to add 264 new long term care beds and replace 1,298 beds at 14 nursing homes and three residential care facilities across the province.[43] To help address systemic racism in the justice system Rankin announced $4.8 million to establish the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute.[44] Rankin signed a $645 million dollar agreement with the federal government to establish $10 per day childcare in Nova Scotia.[45]

In April, following a spike in COVID-19 cases, Rankin enacted lockdown measures which brought case numbers down, and case numbers remained low for the remainder of his tenure.[46] Nova Scotia maintained the highest vaccination rates in Canada.[47][better source needed]

In June, 2021, Rankin called for an election. While the Liberals focused on COVID-19, the Progressive Conservatives ran a campaign that was largely focused on the ongoing Healthcare crisis in Nova Scotia.[48] Despite starting the campaign with a lead of 28 points in the polls,[49] support for the Liberals collapsed in the final days of the race, and the Progressive Conservatives, led by Tim Houston, won a strong majority government. This marked the first time since 2006 that the Progressive Conservatives had won an election in Nova Scotia. Rankin claimed responsibility for the loss, and said he would do nothing differently.[50]

Personal life[]

Rankin was convicted of impaired driving in 2003, and again faced impaired driving charges in 2005 but these were eventually overturned on a technicality due to a clerical error.[51] He is married to Mary Chisholm.[52] Rankin and Chisholm have a daughter, Freya Rose Rankin.[citation needed]

Bills introduced[]

Assembly Act Title Date
Assembly 63, Session 1 Environment Act (amended) September 29, 2017
Assembly 62, Session 3 Halifax Rifles Armoury Association (repealed) November 10, 2016
Assembly 62, Session 2 176 Otter Lake Landfill Act * May 20, 2016

Electoral record[]

2021 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Iain Rankin 5,181 54.38 +4.48
Progressive Conservative Bill Healy 2,320 24.35 +0.64
New Democratic Raymond Theriault 1,647 17.29 -3.78
Green Harry Ward 250 2.62 -1.32
Independent Dawn Edith Penney 90 0.94
Atlantica Dessire G. Miari 40 0.42 -0.96
Total valid votes 9,528 99.69
Total rejected ballots 30 0.31
Turnout 9,558 55.68
Eligible voters 17,165
Liberal hold Swing +1.92
2017 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Iain Rankin 4,272 49.90 -2.03
Progressive Conservative Tim Kohoot 2,030 23.71 +4.85
New Democratic Linda Moxsom-Skinner 1,804 21.07 -4.83
Green Kai Trappenberg 337 3.94 +0.44
Atlantica Matt Mansfield 118 1.38 +1.38
Total valid votes 8,561 100.0  
Total rejected ballots 37 0.43
Turnout 8,598 53.87
Eligible voters 15,962
2013 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Iain Rankin 4,471 51.93 +33.78
New Democratic Linda Moxsom-Skinner 2,230 25.90 -44.31
Progressive Conservative Bruce Pretty 1,608 18.86 +10.17
Green Thomas Trappenberg 300 3.50 +0.55

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Liberal leadership candidates to square off in Cape Breton". Cape Breton Post. November 23, 2020. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
  2. ^ District 47: Timberlea-Prospect cbc.ca
  3. ^ "Nova Scotia votes: Riding-by-riding results for Halifax region". Metro. October 8, 2013. Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  4. ^ a b "Iain Rankin will be next premier of Nova Scotia | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  5. ^ "MSVU alum named Premier-designateOf Nova Scotia".
  6. ^ "Meet Iain - Iain Rankin MLA - Timberlea - Prospect".
  7. ^ "The Diplomatic Potential of Canada: Soft Power in Decline?" (PDF).
  8. ^ "Hon. Iain Rankin".
  9. ^ "Self-Storage Companies Expand in Nova Scotia, Canada".
  10. ^ "Demand for storage units on rise in N.S."
  11. ^ "Meet Iain Rankin".
  12. ^ "Hundreds gather in N.S. to celebrate provinces intention to ban dog-tethering". CTV News. February 1, 2014. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
  13. ^ "Halifax lawn signs target speeders with message to slow down". CBC News. October 28, 2014. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
  14. ^ "Otter Lake landfill bill causes commotion". The Chronicle Herald. May 20, 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-23.
  15. ^ "Dirty debate: Halifax city council concerned about Otter Lake landfill". Metro. Halifax. May 18, 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-23.
  16. ^ "City council flips its municipal lid over new Otter Lake legislation". The Coast. May 18, 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-23.
  17. ^ Spurr, Bill. "Nova Scotia Home for Coloured children commemorates 100 years with virtual event". SaltWire Network.
  18. ^ "McNeil announces summer shuffle for Nova Scotia cabinet". The Vanguard. July 24, 2015. Archived from the original on July 18, 2018. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
  19. ^ "No love lost as Rankin named to head francophone association". The Chronicle Herald. January 26, 2014. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  20. ^ "Stephen McNeil shuffles cabinet, but vows not to change course". CBC News. June 15, 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  21. ^ "N.S. to hire environment prosecutor to 'hold people and companies accountable' - Halifax | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  22. ^ Laroche, Jean (February 16, 2018). "Nova Scotia's cap-and-trade system inching forward". CBC News. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  23. ^ "Leaders Commit to Regional Cooperation on Carbon Pricing in the Americas". Environmental Defense Fund. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  24. ^ Communications Nova Scotia (2018-05-11). "Nova Scotia Joins Western Climate Initiative Inc". Government of Nova Scotia. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  25. ^ Mulligan, Preston (June 26, 2018). "Nova Scotia seeks public input on legislation to protect coastlines". CBC News. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  26. ^ "Nova Scotia launches cleanup process for Boat Harbour wastewater lagoons - Halifax | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  27. ^ "'Unprecedented' assessment commissioned for contaminated Harrietsfield site". CBC News. June 12, 2018. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  28. ^ "Premier shuffles cabinet, puts emphasis on mining sector". CBC News. July 5, 2018. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  29. ^ Gorman, Michael (July 25, 2019). "Nova Scotia to spend $48M cleaning up 2 former gold mines". CBC News. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  30. ^ "Conservation partnership creates new wilderness park in Halifax". Nature Conservancy of Canada. January 20, 2020. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  31. ^ Communications Nova Scotia (March 15, 2019). "Launch of Mi'kmaw Forestry Initiative". Government of Nova Scotia. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  32. ^ "2nd Liberal to enter N.S. leadership race wants more action on climate change". CBC News. October 5, 2020. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  33. ^ "Iain Rankin will be next premier of Nova Scotia".
  34. ^ Gorman, Michael (April 16, 2021). "Progressive Conservative bill would require reduction targets for child poverty". CBC News. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  35. ^ Gorman, Michael (April 13, 2021). "Nova Scotia to begin marking Emancipation Day on Aug. 1". CBC News. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  36. ^ Laroche, Jean. "Proposed N.S. law aims to make it easier for Black families to get land titles". CBC News. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  37. ^ "Liberals pass inaugural budget with Iain Rankin as premier".
  38. ^ Gorman, Michael (February 22, 2021). "Rankin's cabinet to step up focus on housing, climate change". CBC News. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  39. ^ Ramesar, Vernon (May 27, 2021). "N.S. appoints chief officer for new Office of Mental Health and Addictions". CBC News. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  40. ^ MacDonald, Rankin (July 14, 2021). "Mi'kmaq sign welcomes motorists to Cape Breton". The Inverness Oran. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  41. ^ "Nova Scotia to offer rebates for electric vehicles, home energy upgrades".
  42. ^ "Rankin government pledges focus on environment, equality, economic recovery in throne speech".
  43. ^ "Government Adding More Than 260 New Long-Term Care Beds, Replacing Hundreds More".
  44. ^ "African Nova Scotian Justice Institute Launched".
  45. ^ "Federal-Provincial Agreement Will Transform Child Care, Reduce Costs for Families".
  46. ^ "All N.S. schools, non-essential stores to close for 2 weeks as entire province locks down".
  47. ^ "COVID-19 vaccination in Canada".
  48. ^ Gorman, Michael (July 22, 2021). "Tories release full election platform, with big spending on health care". CBC News. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  49. ^ Tarrant, David (August 20, 2021). "Lessons from Nova Scotia's historic election". Toronto Sun. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  50. ^ "MacPolitics: Iain Rankin Opens Up On Election Loss - 'I take Full Responsibility For Loss' & Discusses Future". The Macdonald Notebook. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  51. ^ "Nova Scotia premier on defensive over drunk driving charges he faced years ago". Atlantic. 8 July 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  52. ^ JOHN DeMONT: Rankin vows generational, ecological change if elected Liberal leader Halifax Chronicle Herald

External links[]

Retrieved from ""