Russell MacNeil

Russell Francis MacNeil (February 24, 1931 – June 16, 2018) was a Canadian politician. He represented the electoral district of Cape Breton Centre in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1989 to 1998. He was a member of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.[1]

Russell MacNeil
MLA for Cape Breton Centre
In office
1989–1998
Preceded byWayne Connors
Succeeded byFrank Corbett
Personal details
Born(1931-02-24)February 24, 1931
New Waterford, Nova Scotia, Canada
DiedJune 16, 2018(2018-06-16) (aged 87)
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Political partyLiberal

Early life and career

MacNeil was born in 1931 at New Waterford, Nova Scotia.[2] He graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with an arts degree in 1953, and an education degree in 1954.[3][4] Following graduation, MacNeil was a physical education teacher in New Waterford, and later served as the recreation director for the province of Nova Scotia.[4]

Political career

MacNeil entered provincial politics in 1989, running as the Liberal candidate in a Cape Breton Centre by-election.[5] Defeated by seven votes on election night,[6][7] the number was reduced to two when official results were announced.[8][9] However, a judicial recount in September ended with MacNeil being declared the winner by three votes.[10] His Progressive Conservative opponent appealed to the Nova Scotia Supreme Court,[11] and in February 1990, the by-election was declared invalid and MacNeil's victory voided.[12] A second by-election was held on August 28, 1990, with MacNeil winning the seat.[10] He was re-elected in the 1993 election,[13] and served as a backbench member of John Savage's government. MacNeil did not seek re-election in 1998.[14]

MacNeil died on June 16, 2018, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.[15]

References
  1. "Electoral History for Cape Breton Centre" (PDF). Nova Scotia Legislative Library. Retrieved 2018-04-02.
  2. The Canadian Parliamentary Guide. P.G. Normandin. 1994. p. 767. ISBN 9780921925545.
  3. "It all started at the Strand Gym for Russell MacNeil". Cape Breton Post. May 27, 2010. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
  4. "Russell MacNeil: Retired MLA and sports hall of famer". The Chronicle Herald. February 24, 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
  5. "Cape Breton summer by-election heating up". The Globe and Mail. August 21, 1989.
  6. "Tory wrests riding from Liberal by 7 votes". The Globe and Mail. August 23, 1989.
  7. "Tory wins by 7 votes in Cape Breton riding". Toronto Star. August 23, 1989.
  8. "Two-vote margin found after Nova Scotia recount". The Globe and Mail. August 30, 1989.
  9. "Recount ordered in N.S. by-election". Toronto Star. August 30, 1989.
  10. "Return of By-elections for the House of Assembly 1989 and 1990" (PDF). Elections Nova Scotia. 1990. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
  11. "N.S. Tories to appeal by-election recount". The Globe and Mail. September 26, 1989.
  12. "N.S. judge orders 2nd by-election". The Globe and Mail. February 2, 1990.
  13. "Returns of General Election for the House of Assembly 1993" (PDF). Elections Nova Scotia. 1993. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
  14. "Coal is king in C.B. Centre". The Chronicle Herald. March 11, 1998. Archived from the original on January 23, 2005. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
  15. "New Waterford loses two former Cape Breton MLAs". Cape Breton Post. June 17, 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-17.


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