Dave Wilson (Sackville politician)

David "Dave" Allan Wilson (born 1970) is a Canadian politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, representing the riding of Sackville-Cobequid for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party. He was first elected in the 2003 election when veteran MLA John Holm did not re-offer. Wilson was re-elected in the 2006, 2009, 2013 and 2017 elections.

David Allan Wilson
Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
for Sackville-Cobequid
In office
August 5, 2003 – November 16, 2018
Preceded byJohn Holm
Succeeded bySteve Craig
Personal details
Born1970[1]
Alma, Quebec
Political partyNew Democratic Party
SpousePenny Wilson
Childrentwo children
ResidenceSackville, Nova Scotia
OccupationParamedic

Wilson stepped down as the MLA for Sackville-Cobequid on November 16, 2018 stating, "It's just time for me to look at other things".[2]

Early life edit

Prior to his election, Wilson was a paramedic in the community of Sackville for almost eight years. He was educated at Sackville High School and Saint Mary's University. He also received his Diploma as an Emergency Medical Technician at the School of Allied Health - School of Emergency Health Services at the VG Hospital, Halifax.

He volunteered as a firefighter with HRM Fire and Emergency Services and the Sackville Fire Department, where he has held several key executive positions including vice-chairman of the department.[3]

Member of the Legislative Assembly edit

Role in Opposition edit

From 2005 to 2008, while in opposition, Wilson performed the critic roles for Heritage and Culture, Tourism, Heritage Act, and Housing and Communications until August 2005, when he was named the critic for Health.[4]

Introduction of Bills edit

Wilson introduced several bills while in opposition, including amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act which would require drivers on highways without a median barrier to slow to 50 km/h when passing a motor vehicle accident where authorities are present,[5] the Health Protection Act which would require the Minister of Health to develop a pre-surgery care program for each district health authorities,[6] and the Volunteer Services Act which suggested that ‘good Samaritans rendering service or assistance under this Act are not responsible for the payment of fees associated with rendering that service or assistance.’[7] Each of these bills was blocked by the Conservative government at the time and did not escalate past the 1st reading.[8]

Member of the Executive Council of Nova Scotia edit

On January 11, 2011, Wilson was appointed to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia as Minister of a newly amalgamated Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage.[9]

As Minister, Wilson released Nova Scotia's first strategic Arts and Culture 5-Year plan.[10]

On March 27, 2012, Wilson appointed members to the first Arts Nova Scotia board.[11] The board is composed of eleven Nova Scotians from across the arts sector and is part of the province's five-point plan on arts and culture released in February 2011.[10] Nine years prior, a similar group existed under the Conservative government, however it was dismantled, stating that the move would cut administrative costs and artists would receive the money directly.[12]

On May 30, 2012, Premier Darrell Dexter shuffled his cabinet, moving Maureen MacDonald to the Finance portfolio, making way for Wilson to take over as Minister of Health and Minister of Acadian Affairs.[13]

Return to Opposition edit

Wilson was re-elected in the 2013 election,[14][15] but returned to opposition as the New Democrats finished third.[16] On June 7, 2015, Wilson announced his intention to seek the leadership of the NS NDP at the party's 2016 leadership convention.[17][18] On February 27, 2016, Wilson was defeated in his bid for the leadership, finishing third on the first ballot.[19]

Wilson was re-elected in the 2017 election.[20]

Electoral record edit

2017 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic Dave Wilson 3,465 44.0
Liberal Michel Hindlet 2,038 25.9
Progressive Conservative John Giannakos 1,991 25.3
Green Tanner Montgomery 262 3.3
Atlantica Cathy Morgan 88 1.1
Total valid votes 100.0  
2013 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  New Democratic Party Dave Wilson 2,983 38.45 -26.89
  Liberal Graham Cameron 2,898 37.35 +17.60
  Progressive Conservative Peter MacIsaac 1,651 21.28 +8.82
Green John Percy 227 2.93 +0.47
2009 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  New Democratic Party Dave Wilson 5120 65.34
  Liberal Scott Hemming 1548 19.75
  Progressive Conservative Jessica Alexander 976 12.46
Green Ian Charles 192 2.45
2006 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  New Democratic Party Dave Wilson 4475 54.50
  Progressive Conservative Steve Craig 2499 30.42
  Liberal David Major 1055 12.80
Green Elizabeth Nicolson 187 2.28
2003 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  New Democratic Party Dave Wilson 3881 45.22
  Progressive Conservative John Giannakos 2426 28.43
  Liberal Bob Harvey 2147 25.23
Marijuana Michael D. Patriquen 97 1.12

References edit

  1. ^ 62nd General Assembly Archived 22 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine Nova Scotia Legislature
  2. ^ Laroche, Jean (16 November 2018). "Dave Wilson steps down as MLA for Sackville-Cobequid". CBC News. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  3. ^ "Legislative Assembly Profile". Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia. 9 June 2009. Archived from the original on 28 September 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  4. ^ "Nova Scotia NDP profile". Archived from the original on 3 September 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  5. ^ An Act to Amend Chapter 293 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Motor Vehicle Act, June 30, 2006.
  6. ^ “An Act to Amend Chapter 4 of the Acts of 2004, the Health Protection Act, March 29, 2007.
  7. ^ “An Act to Amend Chapter 497 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Volunteer Services Act”, May 5, 2006.
  8. ^ "Status of Bills introduced by David Wilson". Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  9. ^ "Premier Dexter makes changes to cabinet". The Yarmouth County Vanguard. 11 January 2011. Archived from the original on 13 August 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Arts & Culture get V-Day Love". Metro Halifax. 15 February 2011. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Arts board's 11 members appointed". The Chronicle Herald. 28 March 2012. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Arts council to oversee funding". CBC Nova Scotia. 15 February 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  13. ^ "First female finance minister appointed in N.S." CBC. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  14. ^ "Liberal wave ousts 6 cabinet ministers". CBC News. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  15. ^ "Metro Halifax ridings turn Liberal red". The Chronicle Herald. 8 October 2013. Archived from the original on 9 October 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Nova Scotia Liberals win provincial election". Canada.com. 8 October 2013. Archived from the original on 9 October 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  17. ^ "MLA Dave Wilson announces bid for NDP leadership". The Chronicle Herald. 7 June 2015. Archived from the original on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  18. ^ "Dave Wilson announces bid for NDP leadership". CBC News. 7 June 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  19. ^ "Nova Scotia's New Democrats elect Gary Burrill as new leader". CBC News. 27 February 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  20. ^ "A leader wins, a cabinet minister loses: How Halifax-area candidates fared". CBC News. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.

External links edit