ANTIGONISH — A blue tidal wave that swept across the province on election night came ashore in this northeastern Nova Scotia constituency.
Michelle Thompson – the incumbent – earned a second term in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, winning a three-way race with Sheila Sears (Liberal) and John David MacIsaac (NDP).
“I am absolutely thrilled – just thrilled – and I am so grateful,” the long-time resident of Cloverville, Antigonish County, told The Journal, shortly after being declared elected.
She added, of garnering the confidence of Antigonish voters, once again, “I have worked hard [in my first term], and I will continue to work hard.”
Describing her win as a “little overwhelming,” Thompson said she is “really excited” about serving her second term.
When asked about priorities in the constituency, she noted that she had “a lot of really good conversations” with community members during the campaign.
Thompson said the need for more childcare spaces was often a topic in those chats, especially for healthcare workers.
Noting that she drove on some of them while on the campaign trail during a rainy November, she offered that roads – as always – remain an important issue in rural parts of the province.
And, as is the case across Nova Scotia, housing and healthcare, “which is always at the forefront,” will continue to be on the radar.
Thompson, who unseated then Liberal cabinet minister Randy Delorey in the 2021 vote, is a veteran registered nurse (RN) and former CEO of the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home in Antigonish.
After being sworn in four years ago, Premier Tim Houston tapped her as Minister of Health and Wellness, a portfolio she occupied at dissolution.
“I haven’t had a chance to speak with him,” Thompson said, when asked of her potential return to cabinet, noting that she “trusts his judgment,” when it comes to making those selections.
Would she like the opportunity to continue in that portfolio?
“Of course,” she said, while quickly adding – whether or not she is returned to the health and wellness seat – that she will “always [be] involved.”
Thompson added, “Healthcare is in my blood.”
No matter what happens, she will continue to work hard with her colleagues “to continue to work to make Nova Scotia successful.”
Sears enjoyed experience
Sears, also an RN for more than 30 years – who focused most of her career in the area of public health in marginalized and rural communities – finished second for the Liberals.
“It was an amazing experience,” the first-time candidate told The Journal, adding that she “learned a lot.”
Sears took pride in one of her key goals – “to run a very clean, collegial campaign.”
She launched it in July as the Liberal nominee, describing it as a “long haul.”
“I enjoyed it immensely,” Sears said, noting that she will never forget the stories she heard on doorsteps in the constituency, while meeting “so many amazing people.”
As for the second-place finish, she noted the challenge of going up against an incumbent cabinet minister who has done a “fantastic job,” including “really moving the needle” in areas such as primary care as health and wellness minister.
Noting that her party presented a “stellar platform,” Sears shared her disappointment in the Liberal results, while praising her leader Zach Churchill for his efforts.
MacIsaac pleased with effort
MacIsaac – the NDP hopeful, a master mariner for more than 35 years who teaches in the Nova Scotia Community College’s (NSCC’s) marine technology program at the Strait Area Campus, raced to a third-place finish.
“It is pretty evident that Michelle [Thompson] is quite strong,” he told The Journal of the soon-to-be two-time MLA, while congratulating her on her victory.
As for his campaign, MacIsaac offered, “I was happy to get my name out there, and talk to people about the issues in our community.”
When asked what message he would give to Thompson, the well-known community volunteer echoed what he heard from residents as key issues: healthcare and housing.
As for his party forming the official opposition, MacIsaac said he was “very happy,” expressing his confidence in the NDP being able to hold the PCs to their promise when it comes to “building a better Nova Scotia.”
In her 2021 win, Thompson finished with 4,707 votes, outdistancing Delorey who placed second with 2,997.
In 2024, Thompson increased her vote total to 5,195, with Sears and MacIsaac finishing with 1,716 and 1,099, respectively.
Thompson and the other elected PCs under Houston garnered a supermajority in the 42nd general election, which in Nova Scotia means that the governing party will hold at least two-third of the seats in the House of Assembly.
In 2021, the PCs won 31 seats, while the Liberals and NDP collected 17 and six, respectively; at dissolution, there were 34 PCs, 14 Liberals, six NDP and one Independent.
As of press time, the re-elected PCs were elected and leading in 40 seats, followed by the NDP (10), Liberals (four) and Independent (one).
“I think that our platform resonated with people, and they have put their trust in our government to continue with the progress we have made,” Thompson said.
Before the results of Tuesday’s provincial election are official, they must be confirmed by Elections Nova Scotia.
