Labi Kousoulis

Labi Kousoulis (born 1971) is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2013 provincial election. A member of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, he represents the electoral district of Halifax Citadel-Sable Island.[3]

The Honourable

Labi Kousoulis

MLA
Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
for Halifax Citadel-Sable Island
Assumed office
October 8, 2013
Preceded byLeonard Preyra
Minister of the Public Service Commission
In office
October 22, 2013 – April 1, 2014
PremierStephen McNeil
Preceded byMarilyn More
Succeeded byTony Ince
Minister of Internal Services
In office
April 1, 2014 – June 5, 2017
PremierStephen McNeil
Preceded byMinistry Established
Succeeded byPatricia Arab
Minister of Labour and Advanced Education
In office
June 5, 2017 – September 30, 2020
PremierStephen McNeil
Preceded byKelly Regan
Member of Treasury and Policy Board
In office
October 22, 2013 – September 30, 2020
PremierStephen McNeil
Personal details
Born1971[1][2]
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Political partyLiberal
WebsiteOfficial website

Early life and education

Kousoulis was born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the son of John Kousoulis and Marina Michalakos, who emigrated from Laconia in Southern Greece though Pier 21.[4] He attended Sir Charles Tupper Elementary, Cornwallis Jr. High School, and Queen Elizabeth High School. He graduated from Saint Mary's University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and is a Certified Management Accountant.[5] He holds a Master in Business Administration from Saint Mary's University Sobey School of Business.

Before politics

He worked as a Commercial Lender with Scotiabank, was an executive member of Wilsons Fuel, and as Controller at Trenton Works. Kousoulis has also started a number of small businesses.[6]

For three years, Kousoulis served as co-chair of the Halifax Greek Fest, the largest multicultural festival in Nova Scotia. He is a longtime soccer player and fan, and has been coaching teams in Halifax since 2012. Additionally, Kousoulis is a licensed ski instructor, and enjoys skiing in the winter.

Political career

On October 22, 2013, Kousoulis was appointed to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia where he served as Minister of the Public Service Commission,[7] as well as being appointed Minister of Information Management and Minister of the Voluntary Sector.[8] On April 1, 2014, he was appointed Minister of Internal Services, a new department including the responsibilities of the former Information Management portfolio, as well as various other support functions within government.[9][10]

Kousoulis was re-elected in the 2017 election.[11] On June 15, 2017, premier Stephen McNeil shuffled his cabinet, moving Kousoulis to Minister of Labour and Advanced Education.[12][13] Kousoulis has been a member of the Treasury and Policy Board since his appointment to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia in 2013.

Leadership campaign

On September 30, 2020, Kousoulis announced his candidacy for the Leader of the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia and to become the 29th Premier of the Province.[14]


During the campaign, the Honourable Patricia Arab, Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, and Honourable Lloyd Hines endorsed Kousoulis.

Labi Kousoulis announces Liberal Leadership Campaign.

Personal life

Labi is married to Jill Chisholm and together they have two children, Alexandra and Olympia.[15]

Electoral record
2017 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes%±%
LiberalLabi Kousoulis2,41941%
New DemocraticGlenn Walton1,61828%
Progressive ConservativeRob Batherson1,48025%
GreenMartin Willison3436%
Total valid votes 100.0  
2013 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
     Liberal Labi Kousoulis 2,966 47.66
     New Democratic Party Leonard Preyra 1,934 31.08
     Progressive Conservative Andrew Black 1,094 17.58
GreenBrynn Horley1983.18
     Independent (Atlantica) Frederic Boileau-Cadieux 31 0.50

References
  2. Labi Kousoulis promises to work hard for all Nova Scotians as premier Halifax Chronicle Herald
  3. "Nova Scotia votes: Riding-by-riding results for Halifax region" Archived 2014-02-28 at the Wayback Machine. Metro, October 8, 2013.
  4. "Home | Pier 21". pier21.ca. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  5. Eight Saint Mary's Alumni Headed to Province House Saint Mary's University
  6. "About". Labi Kousoulis. Retrieved 2017-05-17.
  7. "Premier Stephen McNeil welcomes 16-member cabinet". CBC. October 22, 2013. Retrieved 2014-10-14.
  8. http://labimla.ca/executive-council/
  9. "N.S. government creates new department, reorganizes others". The News. March 7, 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-14.
  10. Scotia, Communications Nova (May 11, 2018). "Departmental Realignments Focus on Better Service Delivery". News Releases.
  11. "Liberal Labi Kousoulis re-elected in Halifax Citadel-Sable Island". Global News. May 30, 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  12. "Stephen McNeil shuffles cabinet, but vows not to change course". CBC News. June 15, 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  13. "N.S. cabinet unveiled: Casey now deputy premier, finance minister". The Chronicle Herald. June 15, 2017. Archived from the original on June 15, 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-15.
  14. "Labi Kousoulis steps down as minister, announces candidacy for premier's spot | Watch News Videos Online". Global News. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  15. Halifax MLA Labi Kousoulis 1st to join the race to replace Stephen McNeil as premier MSN.com


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