Hants East

Hants East
Nova Scotia electoral district
Provincial electoral district
LegislatureNova Scotia House of Assembly
MLA
 
 
 
John A. MacDonald
Progressive Conservative
District created1949
First contested1949
Last contested2024
Demographics
Population (2011)23,266
Electors17,303
Area (km²)1,653
Pop. density (per km²)14.1
Census divisionHants County

Hants East is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. Its Member of the Legislative Assembly since 2021 has been John A. MacDonald of the Progressive Conservative Party.

The district has existed since 1949. Earlier, it and Hants West were together in Hants.[1]

Geography

The land area of Hants East is 1,653 km2 (638 sq mi).[2]

Members of the Legislative Assembly

This riding has elected the following members of the Legislative Assembly:

Hants East
Legislature Years Member Party
Riding created from Hants
44th 1949–1953     Ernest Ettinger Progressive Conservative
45th 1953–1956     Alfred E. Reid Liberal
46th 1956–1960     Ernest Ettinger Progressive Conservative
47th 1960–1962
1962–1963 Albert Ettinger
48th 1963–1967
49th 1967–1970
50th 1970–1974     Jack Hawkins Liberal
51st 1974–1978
52nd 1978–1981     G. Patrick Hunt Progressive Conservative
53rd 1981–1984     Jack Hawkins Liberal
54th 1984–1988     Cora Etter Progressive Conservative
55th 1988–1993     Jack Hawkins Liberal
56th 1993–1998 Bob Carruthers
57th 1998–1999     John MacDonell New Democratic
58th 1999–2003
59th 2003–2006
60th 2006–2009
61st 2009–2013
62nd 2013–2017     Margaret Miller Liberal
63rd 2017–2021
64th 2021–2024     John A. MacDonald Progressive Conservative
65th 2024–present

Election results

2024

2024 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative John A. MacDonald 4,614 62.69 +25.33
New Democratic Abby Cameron 1,696 23.04 -1.01
Liberal Shannon MacWilliam 1,050 14.27 -22.09
Total valid votes 7,360
Total rejected ballots 40
Turnout 7,403 38.66
Eligible voters 19,148
Progressive Conservative hold Swing
Source: Elections Nova Scotia[3]

2021

2021 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Progressive Conservative John A. MacDonald 3,328 37.36 +2.92 $28,841.01
Liberal Michael Blois 3,239 36.36 -7.52 $39,363.22
New Democratic Abby Cameron 2,142 24.05 +7.18 $33,859.54
Green Simon Greenough 199 2.23 -2.58 $506.76
Total valid votes/expense limit 8,908 99.64 $99,761.07
Total rejected ballots 32 0.36
Turnout 8,940 51.19
Eligible voters 17,464
Progressive Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +5.22
Source: Elections Nova Scotia[4][5]

2017

2017 provincial election redistributed results[6]
Party Vote %
  Liberal 3,500 43.88
  Progressive Conservative 2,747 34.44
  New Democratic 1,345 16.86
  Green 384 4.81
2017 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Margaret Miller 3,923 43.66 -3.73
Progressive Conservative John A. MacDonald 3,104 34.55 +17.78
New Democratic Liam Crouse 1,508 16.79 -19.05
Green Jenn Kang 449 4.99
Total valid votes 8,984 100
Total rejected ballots 42
Turnout 9,026 48.10
Eligible voters 18,765
Liberal hold Swing -10.76
Source: Elections Nova Scotia[7][8]

2013

2013 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Margaret Miller 4,512 47.39 31.64
New Democratic John MacDonell 3,412 35.84 -29.12
Progressive Conservative Kim Allan Williams 1,597 16.77 -0.05
Total 9,521
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.
Nova Scotia, Chief Electoral Officer (2013). 39th Provincial General Election, October 8, 2013: Volume 1 – Statement of Votes & Statistics (PDF) (Report). Elections Nova Scotia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 April 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2026.

2009

2009 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic John MacDonell 6,052 64.96 11.82
Progressive Conservative Todd Williams 1,567 16.82 -13.80
Liberal Maurice Rees 1,467 15.75 1.80
Green Emerich Winkler 231 2.48 0.18
Total 9,317
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.

2006

2006 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic John MacDonell 4,712 53.13 -3.84
Progressive Conservative Wayne Fiander 2,715 30.62 11.08
Liberal Malcolm MacKay 1,237 13.95 -8.28
Green Michael Hartlen 204 2.30
Total 8,868
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.

2003

2003 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic John MacDonell 4,783 56.97 13.72
Liberal Larry Matthews 1,866 22.23 -1.11
Progressive Conservative Mary Lou LeRoy 1,640 19.54 -13.88
Nova Scotia Party Ken Smith 106 1.26
Total 8,395
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.

1999

1999 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic John MacDonell 3,985 43.25 -0.41
Progressive Conservative Reese Morash 3,079 33.42 12.40
Liberal Sara Stewart 2,150 23.33 -11.98
Total 9,214
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.
Nova Scotia, Chief Electoral Officer (1999). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly, Thirty-Fifth General Election (Report). Elections Nova Scotia.

1998

1998 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic John MacDonell 4,175 43.66 25.06
Liberal Jim W. Smith 3,377 35.32 -8.65
Progressive Conservative Lawrin Armstrong 2,010 21.02 -16.41
Total 9,562
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.

1993

1993 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Bob Carruthers 4,295 43.97 -3.12
Progressive Conservative Stephen MacKeil 3,657 37.43 -4.16
New Democratic Terry MacLean 1,817 18.60 7.28
Total 9,769
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.
Nova Scotia, Chief Electoral Officer (1993). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly, Thirty-Third General Election (PDF) (Report). Queen's Printer. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 June 2018.

1988

1988 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jack Hawkins 4,502 47.09 5.52
Progressive Conservative Cora Etter 3,977 41.60 -6.98
New Democratic Richard Preeper 1,082 11.32 1.46
Total 9,561
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.
Nova Scotia, Chief Electoral Officer (1988). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly, Thirty-Second General Election (PDF) (Report). Queen's Printer. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2018.

1984

1984 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Cora Etter 3,730 48.57 10.19
Liberal Jack Hawkins 3,192 41.57 2.44
New Democratic Byron Radley 757 9.86 -12.62
Total 7,679
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.
Nova Scotia, Chief Electoral Officer (1984). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly, Thirty-First General Election (PDF) (Report). Queen's Printer. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 July 2017.

1981

1981 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jack Hawkins 3,041 39.13 -3.02
Progressive Conservative G. Patrick Hunt 2,983 38.39 -13.25
New Democratic Harry McNeil 1,747 22.48 16.26
Total 7,771
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.
Nova Scotia, Chief Electoral Officer (1981). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly, Thirtieth General Election (PDF) (Report). Queen's Printer. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 July 2017.

1978

1978 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative G. Patrick Hunt 4,035 51.63 11.24
Liberal Jack Hawkins 3,294 42.15 -7.73
New Democratic Clair White 486 6.22 -2.02
Total 7,815
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.
Nova Scotia, Chief Electoral Officer (1978). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly, Twenty-Ninth General Election (PDF) (Report). Queen's Printer. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 June 2018.

1974

1974 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jack Hawkins 3,322 49.88 -2.85
Progressive Conservative Avard Ettinger 2,690 40.39 -6.88
New Democratic Clare White 549 8.24
Independent John G. Stanhope, Sr. 99 1.49
Total 6,660
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.
Nova Scotia, Chief Electoral Officer (1974). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly, Twenty-Eighth General Election (PDF) (Report). Queen's Printer. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 June 2018.

1970

1970 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jack Hawkins 3,115 52.73 4.80
Progressive Conservative J. Albert Ettinger 2,793 47.27 -4.80
Total 5,908
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.
Nova Scotia, Legislative Assembly (1970). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly, 1970 (PDF) (Report). Queen's Printer. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 July 2018.

1967

1967 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative J. Albert Ettinger 2,697 52.08 -0.78
Liberal Norman E. Casey 2,482 47.92 2.46
Total 5,179
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.
Nova Scotia Legislature (1967). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly (PDF) (Report). Queen's Printer. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 July 2018.

1963

1963 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative J. Albert Ettinger 2,739 52.86 2.11
Liberal George E. Fraser 2,356 45.47 -3.79
New Democratic Ralph Loomer 87 1.68
Total 5,182
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.
Nova Scotia Legislature (1963). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly (PDF) (Report). Queen's Printer. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 July 2018.

1962

Nova Scotia provincial by-election, 1962-08-27
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative J. Albert Ettinger 2,620 50.75 1.25
Liberal Gerald Regan 2,543 49.25 4.22
Total 5,163
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.

1960

1960 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Ernest M. Ettinger 2,426 49.50 -0.46
Liberal Carl Spencer Grant 2,207 45.03 -3.88
Co-operative Commonwealth Alfred James Scothorn 268 5.47 4.34
Total 4,901
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.
Nova Scotia Legislature (1960). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly (PDF) (Report). Queen's Printer. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 July 2018.

1956

1956 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Ernest M. Ettinger 2,392 49.96 1.37
Liberal Arthur W. MacKenzie 2,342 48.91 0.30
Co-operative Commonwealth Malcolm F. Wheadon 54 1.13 -1.67
Total 4,788
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.
Nova Scotia Legislature (1956). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly (PDF) (Report). Queen's Printer. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 September 2018.

1954

Nova Scotia provincial by-election, 1954-11-16
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Alfred E. Reid 2,257 48.61 -1.40
Progressive Conservative Ernest M. Ettinger 2,256 48.59 -1.40
Co-operative Commonwealth Malcolm F. Wheadon 130 2.80
Total 4,643
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.

1953

1953 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Alfred E. Reid 2,251 50.01 3.39
Progressive Conservative Ernest M. Ettinger 2,250 49.99 2.74
Total 4,501
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.
Nova Scotia Legislature (1953). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly (PDF) (Report). Queen's Printer. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 September 2018.

1949

1949 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Ernest M. Ettinger 2,097 47.25
Liberal Robert A. MacLellan 2,069 46.62
Co-operative Commonwealth Johnston B. Hart 272 6.13
Total 4,438
Source(s)
Source: Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.
Nova Scotia Legislature (1949). Returns of the General Election for the House of Assembly (PDF) (Report). Queen's Printer. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 September 2018.

See also

References

  1. ^ Nova Scotia Legislature (2024). "Electoral History for Hants East" (PDF). nslegislature.ca.
  2. ^ "Find Your Electoral District for the 41st Provincial General Election". enstools.electionsnovascotia.ca. Elections Nova Scotia. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  3. ^ Nova Scotia, Chief Electoral Officer (2025). 42nd Provincial General Election, November 26, 2024: Volume 1 – Statement of Votes & Statistics (PDF) (Report). Elections Nova Scotia. pp. 183–184. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  4. ^ Nova Scotia, Chief Electoral Officer (2022). 41st Provincial General Election, August 17, 2021: Volume 1 – Statement of Votes & Statistics (PDF) (Report). Elections Nova Scotia. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  5. ^ Nova Scotia, Chief Electoral Officer (2022). 41st Provincial General Election, August 17, 2021: Volume 3 – Financial Information & Statistics (PDF) (Report). Elections Nova Scotia. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  6. ^ "Transposition of Votes from the 2017 Provincial General Election to 2019 Electoral District Boundaries" (PDF). Elections Nova Scotia. 12 April 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 July 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  7. ^ Nova Scotia, Chief Electoral Officer (2017). 40th Provincial General Election, May 30, 2017: Volume 1 – Statement of Votes & Statistics (PDF) (Report). Elections Nova Scotia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 December 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  8. ^ Nova Scotia, Chief Electoral Officer (2018). 40th Provincial General Election, May 30, 2017: Volume 3 – Financial Information & Statistics (PDF) (Report). Elections Nova Scotia. Retrieved 1 February 2026.