The NDP has rewritten the political landscape in Atlantic Canada by forming government in Nova Scotia, and a whopping majority government at that.
Darrell Dexter was swept to power last night, winning 31 of a possible 52 seats. The former Conservative government of Rodney MacDonald was reduced to third place with just 10 seats, and the Liberals are now the official opposition with 11 seats.
It is the first time since 1867 that neither the Conservative nor Liberal parties have held power in that province.
CUPE played a very active role in the campaign. Nova Scotia President Danny Cavanagh credits the hard work of several CUPE activists across the province who made direct contact with our union’s 16,000 members explaining why CUPE was supporting the NDP.
Despite the mainstream media’s best efforts, labour’s ties to the NDP proved to be a non-issue in the election campaign. Most political observers also agreed that the Tories’ “Stephen Harper-style” attack ads backfired on the governing party. Nova Scotians rejected the negativity and personal attacks as well as the anti-union rhetoric.