Independent candidate Smith-McCrossin faces new challengers in Cumberland North
Political scientist says PCs likely hungry to win back riding
Independent incumbent Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin is back on the campaign trail in Cumberland North, but opponents say the riding would be better represented by an MLA from an official party.
Smith-McCrossin, first elected as an MLA in 2017, was booted from the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative caucus in 2021 over her involvement in a protest related to COVID-19 guidelines. Still, 53 per cent of voters supported her bid to represent Cumberland North as an Independent in the last election.
"When I'm knocking on doors this election, one of the differences that I see is I'm knocking on doors of people that I've helped over the last three years," Smith-McCrossin said in an interview. "And that's very rewarding."
Smith-McCrossin said advocating for better health care in the area as well as expanding local agriculture are some of the top issues she would work on with other parties on if re-elected.
"We've gotten a lot of things accomplished together," she said. "I love that. My brand is Cumberland County. It's the people that I represent."
4 candidates
The Liberals, second in the riding three years ago, have a new candidate this time around. Kurt Ditner, a retiree and newcomer to Amherst, said he has been a lifelong party member.
"I've worked inside the party," he said. "I've had my opinions heard."
Ditner said health care, the cost of living and improving rural roads are key issues in the riding.
"What I'm hearing is people feel the money doesn't come here," he said in an interview. "It never seems to get to our riding. So you need an elected official in an official party to move ahead and get services here."
Bill Dowe, the Progressive Conservative candidate, has some similar thoughts.
The owner of a trucking and excavating company and a former chair of the Cumberland Chamber of Commerce echoed the key issues of the other candidates, but said the Houston government has taken positive strides.
"We've had some great improvements here in health care," he said. "Cumberland County has a fabulous team that are doing recruitment and … they are bringing in more people than ever," Dowe said.
"I'm not gonna say anything bad about the Independent. All I know is that I think as being a part of the team, I have a lot better chance of getting accomplishments here than somebody working on their own."
Labour rights advocate Tyson Boyd is running for the NDP. He wasn't available for an interview.
Alex
Marland, a political scientist at Acadia University, said it is rare,
but not unprecedented, for Independents in Nova Scotia to win multiple
elections. (Acadia University)
Alex Marland, a political scientist at Acadia University, said some parties may intentionally not run a strong campaign in a riding with an incumbent Independent. But he said the PCs are likely looking to oust their former party member.
"We could see that the Progressive Conservatives are really hungry to get that seat back," said Marland. "So if they think they can get it back and … kind of lose a thorn in their side, they'd be happy to do that."
Marland said Independents often have to work harder and need name recognition. Smith-McCrossin has that on the streets of Amherst.
"[Smith-McCrossin's] been there through thick and thin," said Debbie Berry, who wasn't familiar with any of the other candidates. "I don't know a lot of the people that are running and I would hate to vote for the wrong person."
"[Smith-McCrossin] is for the people," said Bill Winters. "She does help people a lot and I hope she gets in."
Ian MacLean said he was undecided. "I've voted for just about everything at some point of my life or other."
MacLean said the environment, in particular the Chignecto Isthmus, is one of his top issues. The $650-million project to protect the land connection between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick remains at the centre of a federal-provincial dispute over who should pay the bills.
Smith-McCrossin and Dowe both highlighted the importance of the isthmus, not just for the border community, but the broader economy.
Marland said it is rare for Independents to win multiple elections in Nova Scotia, but not unprecedented. Paul MacEwan represented a Cape Breton riding for 33 years under three party banners and as an independent.
"It becomes something that people almost think they couldn't vote for anybody else because anybody else almost seems like an outsider," Marland said.
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Bill Dowe nominated PC candidate in Cumberland North
AMHERST – An Amherst business owner and community volunteer is running for MLA to be a voice in government that delivers.
Bill Dowe became the Progressive Conservative candidate for Cumberland North in the next provincial general election when nominations closed last month.
“As a lifelong resident of Cumberland County, I know the people of Cumberland North deserve an MLA who can get things done in government,” said Dowe. “Working alongside cabinet minister and Cumberland South MLA Tory Rushton, I will be an MLA that puts getting results for the people of the Town of Amherst and Cumberland County first. Our constituency needs someone who will get the job done in government..”
Originally from River Hebert, Dowe now lives in Amherst. A self-employed business owner for more than 37 years, Dowe also has extensive volunteer leadership experience. A longtime board member of the Cumberland Chamber of Commerce, he is currently the past president and recently joined the board of the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce. He also led the Cumberland County Truckers Association for five years and spent more than two decades as a board member with the Truckers Association of Nova Scotia.
Dowe has found many ways to give back to the community he has called home, including time as a board member of the Tidnish Crossroads Community Association. His co-ordination of the Bordertown Working Truck Show and Shine has raised over
$27,000 for Special Olympics Amherst. This year also marks Dowe and his family presenting the 30th Annual Chris Dowe Memorial Scholarship to a deserving 4H student.
“When I see what a positive difference Tory Rushton makes on behalf of the people of Cumberland South, I know that Cumberland North can do so much better with someone who gets things done for people as a member of my team,” said Premier Tim Houston. “Bill Dowe has a sincere interest in building up Nova Scotia and he will be a hardworking and effective MLA.”
Tim Houston’s PC team has also delivered record investments in healthcare, housing and tax relief to Nova Scotians, while strongly opposing the Liberal carbon tax. The current Independent MLA for Cumberland North has consistently voted against the Houston government’s investments in Cumberland North and across the province.
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Tyson Boyd is passionate about advancing the cause of labour rights in Nova Scotia, and fighting to lift workers out of poverty. Through his work as a Chief Shop Steward for SEIU Local 2, Tyson has dedicated himself to building solidarity in the community and working to raise the standard of living in Nova Scotia.
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Striking Pete's Frootique workers remain committed to cause as contract dispute drags on
Employees at Sobeys-owned grocery store have been on strike since Nov. 18
As the strike by workers at the downtown Halifax Pete's Frootique location enters its seventh week, Tyson Boyd said he and his colleagues are starting to feel "a little angry and a little fed up."
"We've given Sobeys every opportunity to come back to the table and bargain in good faith and they have yet to do so at all," said Boyd, speaking outside the store on Dresden Row that's owned by grocery giant Sobeys.
The company closed the store indefinitely when the strike started on Nov. 18. About 90 workers represented by the Service Employees International Union Local 2 walked off the job after failing to negotiate a contract with the company, which is headquartered in Stellarton, N.S.
Because most people who work at Pete's make minimum wage, union officials have said a pay increase of five cents per hour offered by Sobeys doesn't come close to helping employees meet growing cost-of-living pressures. The minimum wage in Nova Scotia is $15 an hour. A report published in September calculated a living wage in Halifax to be $26.50.
Sobeys did not make anyone available for an interview. But in a statement, spokesperson Sarah Dawson said company officials are "interested in a return to the bargaining table as soon as the union leadership is ready."
Tyson Boyd worked in the flower department before he and his colleagues at Pete's Frootique in downtown Halifax went on strike. (Michael Gorman/CBC)
But Boyd, who worked as a clerk in the Pete's flower department before the strike, questioned the company's interest in bargaining.
He said union officials approached the company last month about trying to talk ahead of Christmas and were told any conversations would not include a new wage offer.
Along with Sobeys and other grocery chains, such as Safeway, IGA and Foodland, parent company Empire Company owns about 1,600 stores across the country. Company financials show Empire's food retail division had $30.5 billion in sales for the fiscal year ending in May 2023, along with $610.1 million in net earnings.
National day of action planned for Saturday
Boyd said he thinks Sobeys is trying to wait out the striking workers. Backed by colleagues waving signs and handing out flyers to passersby, he said the resolve of people to remain on the picket line is based on the knowledge that "this is the only way that we're going to improve material conditions in this province."
"If we let Sobeys roll over us right now, like, it's going to be that much harder the next time any one of us tries to stand up to one of these companies," said Boyd.
"They don't know the kind of constriction we're going to be capable of here."
The group's union is planning a national day of action on Saturday, with events taking place outside grocery stores in various parts of the country. That, along with people stopping at the picket line to check in, helps the striking workers feel as though they have support, said Boyd.
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Workers at the Sobeys-owned Pete’s Frootique in Halifax have taken important steps in their first collective Agreement.
“We’re happy to get our first collective agreement!” said Nicholle Savoie, one of worker leaders. “It was a tough fight – we were on strike for seven weeks – we felt it was important to take a stand.” Savoie has been at Pete’s for over four years and works in the cheese department.
A ratification vote took place on Friday January 5. It’s a three-year deal which expires at the end of 2026. The workers had been on strike since November 18, 2023.
“We’re grateful for the incredible support we received from the community,” said Nick Piovesan, a produce clerk with nine years of service. “Good jobs are an important issue for everyone.”
Important steps were achieved in this first collective agreement, including just cause protection, seniority protections, paid sick days, and more.
“We were all at minimum wage,” said Tyson Boyd, a four-year employee in the floral department. “Now we will be seeing yearly wage increases, including one when we return to work and another in April.”
The campaign, which began its public actions in October 2023, garnered national attention and support. Multiple community and worker organizations accompanied the workers in rallies and amplified their voices. High profile individuals like federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, celebrated artists like El Jones, Joel Plaskett, and Kate Beaton all spoke out in support of the workers. Local elected officials like the MLA Gary Burhill and NSNDP leader Claudia Chender lent their voices. Hundreds of supporters also participated in actions across the country, especially in Nova Scotia, to help the workers get a fair contact.
“We now have a foot in the door and will be looking to build on what we’ve accomplished when we’re back at the table at the end of 2026,” said Boyd. “We’re looking forward to getting back to work and seeing our regular customers.”
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Candidate for Cumberland North Kurt Ditner
Kurt is a passionate member of the Amherst community and takes pride in calling it his home. His dedication to his community is evident through his involvement within the Amherst Curling Club and as a member of the local Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 10.
He was born in Sept-Iles, Quebec and moved to Ontario to attend Wilfrid Laurier University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. During his university breaks, he worked for the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway.
Kurt has a dedicated and committed history to his local community. He has served as an elected trustee for the Waterloo Region Catholic School Board, as a member of the Finance and Teacher’s Salary negotiations committees. He has also held the positions of Vice President and Health and Safety Representative for Local 44 C.W.C, a former union for employees of Bell Canada. This experience provides him with the knowledge and skillset needed to succeed as your MLA in Cumberland North.
In his professional life, Kurt has spent the past 24 years as a licensed Commercial Account Executive in the Insurance industry. Through his career, he has developed a strong work ethic that he looks forward to utilizing to support his constituents.
Kurt believes that Nova Scotians deserve a better deal when it comes to overall affordability, our health care system, and the ongoing housing crisis, and pledges to advocate for a political climate that encourages economic growth and new job development.
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- 902-429-1993
- office@liberal.ns.ca
- 1400-5151 George Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 1M5
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