Rodney MacDonald

MacDonald was born in Inverness, Nova Scotia but spent his formative years in the community of Mabou, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.[http://www.cbc.ca/nsvotes2006/parties/PCmacdonald.html Parties & Leaders - Rodney MacDonald] CBC News, May 13, 2006 In his youth, he was active in sports, including hockey, baseball and track and field. He played Midget AAA, Junior and Senior Hockey. In later years he coached various levels. He graduated from Mabou Consolidated School in 1990 and from St. Francis Xavier University in 1994, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a minor in English and a Nova Scotia Teaching Licence.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}

He was employed as a senior high teacher with the Strait Regional School Board and was actively engaged in many community groups. At the age of 27, he became one of the youngest elected MLAs in Nova Scotia's history and went on to hold a number of high-profile Cabinet positions within the Nova Scotia government. At the age of 34 he became Nova Scotia's 26th Premier. He balanced Nova Scotia's budget each year of his term, lowered the Provincial debt, reduced taxes, and invested in key areas of the province's economy.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}} MacDonald is engaged in numerous areas of Nova Scotia's economy: Business Development, the Offshore Petroleum Board of Nova Scotia, and in higher education as the CEO of The Gaelic College/Colaisde na Gaidhlig.

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MacDonald 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. He has recorded two albums to date: Dancer's Delight (1995) and Traditionally Rockin' (1997, with his cousin Glenn Graham). In 1998 he received two nominations for the East Coast Music Awards. MacDonald was also included on the 2004 Smithsonian release The Beaton Family of Mabou: Cape Breton Fiddle and Piano Music and numerous other compilations.

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.{{cite web|title=Nova Scotia Provincial Election|date=July 27, 1999|url=http://electionsnovascotia.ca/sites/default/files/99INVERNESS.pdf|publisher=Elections Nova Scotia|access-date=2014-09-29}} He was re-elected in 2003.{{cite web|title=Nova Scotia Provincial Election|date=August 5, 2003|url=http://electionsnovascotia.ca/sites/default/files/03dist34.pdf|publisher=Elections Nova Scotia|access-date=2014-09-29}} He served in Premier John Hamm's cabinet with various ministerial portfolios including Tourism, Culture & Heritage, Health Promotion, and Immigration. He was responsible for the Heritage Property Act, Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation Act, and the Nova Scotia Youth Secretariat.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/n-s-gets-new-cabinet-1.181959|title=N.S. gets new cabinet|publisher=CBC.ca|access-date=2013-10-22|date=November 10, 2000}}

Following Hamm's September 2005 announcement of his intention to retire, MacDonald committed to running for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia. 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. He is the second youngest premier in Nova Scotia's history.{{cite web|url=http://older.kingsjournalism.com/nnn/nova_news_3588_8113.html|title=After tight race, Tories will unite under new leader: delegates|publisher=NovaNewsNet|access-date=2009-09-11|last=Sogawa|first=Takuya|date=February 13, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713152353/http://older.kingsjournalism.com/nnn/nova_news_3588_8113.html|archive-date=July 13, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/n-s-tories-pick-youthful-leader-1.612338|title=N.S. Tories pick youthful leader|publisher=CBC|access-date=2013-09-30|date=February 11, 2006}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/former-fiddler-becomes-the-new-premier-of-nova-scotia|title=Former fiddler becomes the new premier of Nova Scotia|publisher=CBC|access-date=2015-07-25|format=video|date=February 11, 2006}}

In May 2006, after a short session, MacDonald dissolved the legislature, calling an election for June 13, 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-vote-called-for-june-13-1.609637|title=Nova Scotia vote called for June 13|publisher=CBC|access-date=2009-09-11|date=May 13, 2006}} MacDonald's Progressive Conservatives won a minority government in the 2006 general election and MacDonald retained his seat.{{cite news|title=June 13, 2006 Nova Scotia Provincial General Election|url=http://electionsnovascotia.ca/sites/default/files/dist34_0.pdf|publisher=Elections Nova Scotia|year=2003 |access-date=2014-09-29}}

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. Although MacDonald kept his seat in the riding of Inverness,{{cite news|title=2009 Nova Scotia Provincial General Election - Official Results|url=http://electionsnovascotia.ca/sites/default/files/dist34.pdf|publisher=Elections Nova Scotia|year=2009|access-date=2014-09-29}} the Progressive Conservatives lost the election to the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party, led by Darrell Dexter.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/n-s-voters-elect-1st-ndp-government-1.786809|title=N.S. voters elect 1st NDP government|publisher=CBC.ca|access-date=2013-09-30|date=June 9, 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/macdonald-s-tories-turfed-by-disenchanted-voters-1.786386|title=MacDonald's Tories turfed by disenchanted voters|publisher=CBC|access-date=2013-10-22|date=June 9, 2009}}

MacDonald stepped down as Nova Scotia PC Leader on June 24, 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/former-n-s-health-minister-chosen-interim-tory-leader-1.802858|title=Former N.S. health minister chosen interim Tory leader|publisher=CBC.ca|access-date=2013-09-30|date=June 24, 2009}} He announced on August 5, 2009 that he would be resigning his seat in the legislature before the fall session began.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/former-ns-premier-macdonald-to-resign-legislature-seat/article1242164|title=Former N.S. premier MacDonald to resign legislature seat|publisher=Globe and Mail|access-date=2022-01-11|date=August 5, 2009|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307043731/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/former-ns-premier-macdonald-to-resign-legislature-seat/article1242164/|archive-date=March 7, 2016}} He officially resigned on September 10, 2009.{{cite web|url=http://metronews.ca/news/halifax/90793/ex-premier-officially-gives-up-n-s-seat-looks-forward-to-private-life|title=Ex-premier officially gives up N.S. seat, looks forward to private life|publisher=Metro|access-date=2022-01-11|date=September 10, 2009|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310014600/http://www.metronews.ca/news/halifax/2009/09/10/ex-premier-officially-gives-up-n-s-seat-looks-forward-to-private-life.html|archive-date=March 10, 2016}}

After resigning as the MLA for Inverness, MacDonald founded a business development and consulting business called RMD Development Incorporated which owns a 4 star cottage operation called Ceilidh Cottages located in West Mabou, Nova Scotia.{{cite web|url=http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local/2010-04-12/article-999223/Former-premier-MacDonald-enjoys-moving-on-with-life-after-politics/1|title=Former premier MacDonald enjoys moving on with life after politics|work=Cape Breton Post|date=April 12, 2010|access-date=2022-01-11|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232623/http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local/2010-04-12/article-999223/Former-premier-MacDonald-enjoys-moving-on-with-life-after-politics/1|archive-date=March 3, 2016}} In June 2010, MacDonald was appointed to the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/rodney-macdonald-gets-federal-plum-1.894285|title=Rodney MacDonald gets federal plum|publisher=CBC News|date=June 23, 2010|access-date=2014-09-29}}

In September 2011, MacDonald was named CEO of The Gaelic College (Colaisde na Gàidhlig) in St. Anns.{{cite web|url=http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/2011-09-01/article-2738243/MacDonald-new-Gaelic-College-CEO--/1|title=MacDonald new Gaelic College CEO|work=Cape Breton Post|date=September 1, 2011|access-date=2022-01-11|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231852/http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/2011-09-01/article-2738243/MacDonald-new-Gaelic-College-CEO--/1|archive-date=March 3, 2016}} He created a Cape Breton Island-wide festival, "KitchenFest", which annually features more than 70 shows and more than 100 musicians. The college focuses on Gaelic language, music, culture, dance and craft. The college teaches multiple disciplines and cultural experiences to thousands of visitors and students each year. It is associated with Cape Breton University through a Memorandum of Understanding.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}} He most recently was in the public eye when he condemned the provincial government's proposed cutting of the Gaelic Affairs Department budget by 40%.{{cite web|url=http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1280778-ex-premier-rodney-macdonald-critical-of-gaelic-department-cuts|title=Ex-premier Rodney MacDonald critical of Gaelic Department cuts|work=The Chronicle Herald|date=April 15, 2015|access-date=January 11, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913033345/http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1280778-ex-premier-rodney-macdonald-critical-of-gaelic-department-cuts|archive-date=September 13, 2018}}

Additionally, in 2022, MacDonald faced scrutiny when he began lobbying the current Progressive Conservative provincial government, on behalf of Cabot Group as a community liaison, to lease one-third of the 215 hectares of land belonging to West Mabou Provincial Park to develop the company's third golf course.{{Cite web |last=Latimer |first=Emily |date=October 24, 2022 |title=Golf developers eye part of provincial park in Cape Breton for second time |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/west-mabou-beach-cape-breton-golf-development-cabot-again-1.6620975 |website=CBC News Nova Scotia}}{{Cite web |last=Contributed |title=RODNEY MacDONALD: Cabot seeks community input on Mabou golf project {{!}} SaltWire |url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/opinion/rodney-macdonald-cabot-seeks-community-input-on-mabou-golf-project-100791480/ |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=www.saltwire.com |language=en}} West Mabou Provincial Park is protected under the Provincial Parks Act and contains 17 rare and endangered animals and plants{{Cite web |last=Ayers |first=Tom |date=November 4, 2022 |title=Study says golf course would threaten rare plants, birds at Cape Breton's West Mabou Beach |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/golf-course-threatens-rare-plants-birds-at-west-mabou-beach-1.6639821 |website=CBC News Nova Scotia}} including piping plover, bank swallow, Canada warbler, scaly pelt lichen, and moonwort.{{Cite web |last=Ayers |first=Tom |date=December 1, 2022 |title=Acadia biologist excited at discovery of rare fern at West Mabou Beach |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/acadia-biologist-discovers-rare-fern-at-west-mabou-beach-1.6669762 |website=CBC News Nova Scotia}} MacDonald argued the purchase of the protected area would bring increased tourism and jobs to the Mabou area, but faced staunch local opposition from community members, politicians, and scientists alike who were concerned development on the beach would destroy habitat, become inaccessible to residents, and contribute additional stress to the post-COVID housing crisis present in the area.{{Cite web |last=Pottie |first=Erin |date=November 8, 2022 |title=Opposition to proposed golf course at Cape Breton's West Mabou Beach is growing |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/opposition-proposed-cape-breton-golf-course-1.6643746 |website=CBC News Nova Scotia}}{{Cite web |last=Lowthers |first=Drake |date=2022-11-14 |title=Petition opposing golf course in West Mabou Beach Provincial Park grows to over 16,000 |url=https://porthawkesburyreporter.com/petition-opposing-golf-course-in-west-mabou-beach-provincial-park-grows-to-over-16000/ |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=Port Hawkesbury Reporter |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Contributed |title=COMMENTARY: West Mabou proposal threatens all provincial parks {{!}} SaltWire |url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/opinion/commentary-west-mabou-proposal-threatens-all-provincial-parks-100805445/ |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=www.saltwire.com |language=en}} On April 20, 2023, Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables, announced that the provincial government would not consider Cabot Group's proposal to develop on West Mabou Beach and would reject a proposal if one was submitted to cabinet.{{Cite web |last=Gorman |first=Michael |date=April 20, 2023 |title=N.S. government says no to golf course in West Mabou Beach Provincial Park |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/west-mabou-beach-provincial-park-cabot-golf-tory-rushton-1.6817243 |website=CBC News Nova Scotia}}{{Cite web |last=Willick |first=Frances |date=April 28, 2023 |title=Premier's office digs in against West Mabou Beach gold course idea |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/premier-s-office-west-mabou-beach-golf-course-1.6825604 |website=CBC News Nova Scotia}}

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Category:1972 births

Category:Living people

Category:Canadian people of Scottish descent

Category:Canadian university and college chief executives

Category:Members of the Executive Council of Nova Scotia

Category:Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia MLAs

Category:Premiers of Nova Scotia

Category:Politicians from Inverness County, Nova Scotia

Category:Cape Breton fiddlers

Category:Canadian male violinists and fiddlers

Category:Nova Scotia political party leaders

Category:St. Francis Xavier University alumni

Category:21st-century members of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly

Category:21st-century Canadian violinists and fiddlers

Category:21st-century Canadian male musicians

Category:20th-century members of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly