Iain Rankin (politician)

Born in Inverness, Nova Scotia, Rankin grew up in Timberlea, and is the son of long term Halifax city councillor Reg Rankin.[1] After receiving his degree, Iain lived and worked in a number of jurisdictions throughout Canada. While living in Ottawa, Rankin worked as Director of Operations for Dymon Storage Corporation. During this time in Ontario, as well as when he lived in Quebec, Iain volunteered with many non-profit groups, including Matthew House and the Ottawa Furniture Bank and Refugee Shelter.

Rankin returned to Nova Scotia in 2011, and shortly after embarked on a career in politics.

Rankin holds a golf club management diploma from Holland College and a BBA from Mount Saint Vincent University. Rankin completed a master of arts in international politics organized by the Centre Européen de Recherches Internationales et Stratégiques (CERIS) in partnership with the Collège d'Etudes Interdisciplinaires of the Université Paris-Sud.[4]

Rankin first sought election in 2013 and was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. While serving his first term he was the chair of the Liberal caucus.[5] He was vice-chair of the public accounts committee, and a member of the assembly matters and private and local bills committees. He was 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 a member of the opposition party.[6]

On June 15, 2017, Rankin was appointed to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia as Minister of Environment.[7] On July 5, 2018, Rankin was moved to Minister of Lands and Forestry in a cabinet shuffle.[8] Rankin resigned from cabinet in October 2020, and announced his candidacy for the leadership of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.[9]

He is married to Mary Chisholm.[14]

Rankin, a rescue dog owner, supported the Nova Scotia government's plan to make tying pets up for longer than 12 hours illegal.[15] In 2014 with the support of local residents, Rankin participated in a campaign with lawn signs target speeders with message to slow down.[16] 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.[17][18][19]