The Honourable
Joanne Bernard
Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
for Dartmouth North
In office
October 8, 2013 – May 30, 2017
Preceded byTrevor Zinck
Succeeded bySusan Leblanc
Personal details
Born (1963-10-04) October 4, 1963 (age 60)[1]
Political partyLiberal

Joanne Lynn Bernard (born October 4, 1963) is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2013 provincial election.[2] As a member of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, she represented the electoral district of Dartmouth North until her defeat in the 2017 election.[3]

Early life and education

Bernard grew up in Halifax and graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She then earned a master's degree in political science from Acadia University.[4] She also received a Certificate of Leadership from Saint Mary's University.[5]

Political career

On October 22, 2013, Bernard was appointed to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia, where she served as Minister of Community Services as well as Minister responsible for the Disabled Persons Commission Act and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women[6]

Personal life

Bernard is an out lesbian,[7] she was the first openly LGBT person elected to the provincial legislature in Nova Scotia.[8]

Electoral record

2017 Nova Scotia general election: Dartmouth North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic Susan Leblanc 2,771 39.36 +9.22
Liberal Joanne Bernard 2,442 34.68 -9.38
Progressive Conservative Melanie Russell 1,384 19.66 -5.42
Green Tyler Colburne 318 4.52
Atlantica David Boyd 126 1.79
Total valid votes 7,041 100
Total rejected ballots 33 0.47
Turnout 7,074 42.7
Eligible voters 16,566
New Democratic gain from Liberal Swing +9.30
Source: Elections Nova Scotia[9][10]
2013 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  Liberal Joanne Bernard 2,953 44.06
  New Democratic Party Steve Estey 2,020 30.14
  Progressive Conservative Séan G. Brownlow 1,729 25.08

References

  1. ^ "Joanne Bernard on Twitter: "Well. Happy 50th birthday to me!"". twitter.com. Twitter. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  2. ^ "Nova Scotia votes: Riding-by-riding results for Halifax region". Metro. October 8, 2013. Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  3. ^ "High-profile Liberal cabinet ministers Samson, Bernard lose ridings". CBC News. May 31, 2017. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  4. ^ "Joanne Bernard's journey took her from welfare to cabinet". CBC News. February 23, 2014. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  5. ^ Joanne Bernard named new CEO of Easter Seals Nova Scotia Archived 2017-08-02 at the Wayback Machine Easter Seals Nova Scotia
  6. ^ "Premier Stephen McNeil welcomes 16-member cabinet". CBC News. October 22, 2013. Retrieved 2014-09-28.
  7. ^ "Could Dartmouth-North elect Nova Scotia's first openly gay MLA?". Global News. October 8, 2013. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  8. ^ "Aspiring actor, gay candidate among noteworthy winners". CBC News. October 9, 2013. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  9. ^ "Statement of Votes & Statistics, Volume I" (PDF). Elections Nova Scotia. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  10. ^ "May 30th, 2017 - 40th Nova Scotia Provincial General Election". Elections Nova Scotia. Retrieved July 17, 2021.


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