Nova Scotia is in the throes of a summer election — its first since 2003.
Premier Iain Rankin has taken some criticism — largely from the PC Party — over the decision to call a summer election.
But Jim Bickerton, a professor of political science at St. Francis Xavier University, says there’s likely a reason Rankin called a summer election.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bickerton says, the governing Liberal Party has gotten more attention than either the NDP or PC Party over the past year, Bickerston says
“The current Liberal government has been strong in the polls, as a result of generally favourable public opinion of the handling of COVID in this province,” says Bickerton. “The current new leader and premier is hoping to cash in on that, and the longer he waits before an election call the less likely he’s able to ride that wave of public approval.”
A summer election also means the other two major parties have to make an impression on voters by campaigning during a time when Bickerton says, “most people aren’t paying attention to politics.”
The other parties have a tough road ahead of them, Bickerton says. This is Tory leader Tim Houston’s first election campaign, while Gary Burrill, leader of the NDP, is trying to recover from lost seats during the last election.
Bickerton says Burrill may be able to gain some traction in the Halifax area, where the housing crisis is especially visible, as he’s running on promises of improved access to housing.
Bickerton also notes, Rankin hasn’t actually won an election yet, despite being the premier. He took over former Premier Stephen McNeil’s government after his resignation — which could be driving his desire to form his own government as soon as possible.
“I think it’s important [for Rankin] that he receive his own mandate from the public based on a platform that he presents to them during an election campaign.” says Bickerton. “That will give him a certain legitimacy that he might be lacking.”
The Liberal Party is currently leading in public approval polls. And while the outlook is favourable for the Liberals, Bickerton says, each party has its own challenge to overcome.
