The Honourable  Rodney Joseph MacDonald  MLA BSc
33rd Premier of Nova Scotia
In office February 22, 2006 – June 19, 2009
Lieutenant Governor	Myra Freeman, Mayann E. Francis
Preceded by	John Hamm
Succeeded by	Darrell Dexter
MLA for Inverness
In office 1999 – September 10, 2009
Preceded by	Charles MacDonald
Succeeded by	Allan MacMaster
Born	January 2, 1972 (1972-01-02) (age 37) Mabou, Nova Scotia
Political party	Progressive Conservative
Spouse(s)	Lori-Ann MacDonald
Religion	Roman Catholic

Rodney Joseph MacDonald, (born January 2, 1972) is a Canadian politician and educator who served as Premier of Nova Scotia from 2006 to 2009 and as MLA for the riding of Inverness in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1999 to 2009.

[edit] Background

MacDonald is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University and received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education while continuing to build a career as a professional musician. MacDonald has taught for the Strait Regional School Board, the Mi'kmawey school at Chapel Island, and pursued a Masters in Education.

In 1994, he married Lori-Ann Gillis. They have one son, Ryan.

[edit] Music career

MacDonald is an accomplished musician and has toured his fiddle music throughout Atlantic Canada, Central Canada and the northeastern United States. He is also an accomplished step dancer; he began dancing at age four after learning the skill from his parents. MacDonald's first public performance was reportedly at age eight at the Mayflower Shopping Mall in Sydney and he began taking fiddle lessons from his uncle, Kinnon Beaton, at age 12. MacDonald has recorded two albums - Dancer's Delight (1996) and Traditionally Rockin' (1997, with his cousin Glenn Graham) and he was also included on the 2004 Smithsonian release The Beaton Family of Mabou: Cape Breton Fiddle and Piano Music. In 1998 he received two nominations for the East Coast Music Awards. He was also vice-president of GlennRod Music Incorporated.

[edit] Political career

MacDonald was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia in the 1999 provincial election, representing the riding of Inverness in western Cape Breton Island^[1]. He was re-elected in 2003.^[2] He served in John Hamm's cabinet with various ministerial portfolios including Tourism, Culture & Heritage, Health Promotion, and Immigration. He was also responsible for the Heritage Property Act, Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation Act, and the Nova Scotia Youth Secretariat.^[3]

Following Premier John Hamm's September, 2005 announcement of his intention to retire, MacDonald committed to running for the leadership of the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Party. The leadership race culminated in MacDonald winning the party's leadership on a second ballot on February 11, 2006. He was sworn in as Premier of Nova Scotia on February 24, succeeding Hamm. MacDonald was the second youngest premier in Nova Scotia's history.^[4][5][6]

In May 2006, after a short session, MacDonald dissolved the legislature, calling an election for June 13, 2006.^[7] MacDonald's Progressive Conservatives won a minority government in the 2006 general election and MacDonald retained his seat.^[8]

On May 4, 2009 MacDonald's government lost a confidence vote; as a result, a provincial election was called for June 9, 2009 to elect the next government.^[9] Although MacDonald was personally re-elected in the riding of Inverness^[10], the Progressive Conservatives lost the election to the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party, led by Darrell Dexter.^[11][12]

MacDonald stepped down as Nova Scotia PC Leader on June 24, 2009.^[13] He announced on August 5, 2009 that he will be resigning his seat in the legislature before the fall session begins.^[14] He officially resigned on September 10, 2009.^[15]

[edit] References

[edit] External links