Alexa McDONOUGH

Alexa McDonough has led the NDP in Nova Scotia and at the national level. A long-time social activist and advocate for the most vulnerable members of our society, Alexa McDonough has also been a trail-blazer for women in politics.

Ms. McDonough led the Nova Scotia New Democrats from 1980 to 1994. For three years after winning a seat in the provincial legislature in 1981, she was the only woman in the Assembly. Alexa McDonough has been praised for bringing energy and dedication to her vision of social justice.

In 1995, Ms. McDonough was elected as the Leader of Canada’s New Democrats. After inheriting a party that had won only nine seats in the 1993 election, Ms. McDonough led her party to an historic breakthrough in Atlantic Canada, and helped the NDP regain Official Party status in the House of Commons, by winning 21 seats. In addition to this, Alexa McDonough became first NDP leader to win a majority of Nova Scotia seats in Parliament.

In 2002, Ms. McDonough announced her retirement as NDP leader. She was re-elected to Parliament in the 2004 federal election and again in 2006. That year, Alexa McDonough became the first woman to win four consecutive federal terms in Nova Scotia, and the only woman elected from among 32 MPs in Atlantic Canada in the 39th federal election.

In the NDP's shadow cabinet, she is the critic for International Development, International Cooperation and Peace Advocacy. Throughout her distinguished career, Alexa McDonough has supported and participated in dozens of advocacy and social action groups, human rights organizations, and professional associations.