Brendan Maguire

Summary

Brendan Oliver Maguire (born August 29, 1975) is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2013 provincial election. Elected as a member of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, he joined the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia in February 2024. He represents the electoral district of Halifax Atlantic.[1]

Brendan Maguire
Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
for Halifax Atlantic
Assumed office
October 8, 2013
Preceded byMichèle Raymond
Personal details
Born (1975-08-29) August 29, 1975 (age 48)
Weymouth, Dorset, England
Political partyPC (2024–)
Other political
affiliations
Liberal (until 2024)

Early life edit

Born in Weymouth, England to parents from Northern Ireland, Maguire and his family emigrated to Canada at four years old. He and his four siblings were abandoned by their parents at the Halifax Shopping Centre shortly after that. As a result, he grew up in foster care in the Halifax area and became a Canadian citizen when he was 16.[2][3]

Maguire graduated from college with a diploma in computer studies. He worked in telecommunications and later became a sales representative and technician at the Halifax Water Commission.[2]

Political career edit

Maguire serves on the Public Accounts Committee, the Health Committee, the Law Amendments Committee and is Vice Chair of the Community Services Committee. In 2014, 2015, and 2016, Maguire was named the Best Member of the Provincial Legislature by The Coast magazine.[4] Maguire was also named the 2015 Ambassador of the year by Family SOS.[5]

On February 23, 2021, Maguire was appointed to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia as Minister of Municipal Affairs.[6]

Maguire was re-elected in the 2021 election, however the Rankin Liberals lost government becoming the Official Opposition.[7][8]

On February 22, 2024, Progressive Conservative premier Tim Houston announced that Maguire had crossed the floor to the Progressive Conservatives, and that Maguire was being appointed Community Services Minister.[9][10]

Personal life edit

Maguire is married with three children. They currently live in Herring Cove, Nova Scotia.[citation needed]

Electoral record edit

2021 Nova Scotia general election: Halifax Atlantic
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Brendan Maguire 4,213 55.22 -0.26 $45,253.75
New Democratic Shauna Hatt 1,740 22.81 +0.09 $34,341.09
Progressive Conservative Tim Cranston 1,493 19.57 +2.47 $34,168.26
Green Sarah Weston 183 2.40 -2.29 $200.00
Total valid votes/Expense limit 7,629 99.70 $92,718.64
Total rejected ballots 23 0.30
Turnout 7,652 47.27
Eligible voters 16,188
Liberal hold Swing -0.18
Source: Elections Nova Scotia[11]
2017 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Brendan Maguire 4,219 55.48 +12.94%
New Democratic Trish Keeping 1,728 22.72 -10.91%
Progressive Conservative Bruce Holland 1,300 17.10 -6.73%
Green Chelsey Carter 357 4.69
Total valid votes 7,604 100.0  
2013 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  Liberal Brendan Maguire 3,244 42.54
  New Democratic Party Tanis Crosby 2,564 33.63
  Progressive Conservative Ryan Brennan 1,817 23.83

References edit

  1. ^ "Nova Scotia votes: Riding-by-riding results for Halifax region". Metro. Halifax. October 8, 2013. Archived from the original on February 28, 2014.
  2. ^ a b John DeMont: Brendan Maguire’s amazing journey from homelessness to N.S. cabinet Halifax Chronicle Herald
  3. ^ "Meet Brendan". NS Liberal Party. October 24, 2016. Archived from the original on October 24, 2016.
  4. ^ "Best Member of the Provincial Legislature 2014". The Coast. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  5. ^ "2015 Courage to Give Back Awards". Family SOS. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015.
  6. ^ "Iain Rankin sworn in as Nova Scotia premier, along with 16 cabinet ministers". CBC News. February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  7. ^ "Bad campaign, leader who didn't connect with voters led to N.S. Liberal loss: Experts". August 18, 2021.
  8. ^ "Progressive Conservatives surge to surprise majority win in Nova Scotia election". CBC News.
  9. ^ @TimHoustonNS (February 22, 2024). "I'm proud of the team of Nova Scotians in the PC Caucus who work hard to support their constituents and keep building up Nova Scotia. With the gap that appeared in our Cabinet in Community Services, I knew we had an incredible team who could step in to help. One person in the Legislature, though, came to mind as someone who has a unique lived experience with this department, having grown up through the system. He's been offering productive solutions to the challenges facing Nova Scotians over the past few months. I'm happy to welcome Halifax Atlantic MLA Brendan Maguire to the PC Caucus as the province's new Minister of Community Services. I'm proud to have Brendan join our hard-working team of Nova Scotians focused on getting things done" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. ^ "N.S. Liberal MLA Brendan Maguire joining PCs, named minister of community services". CBC News. February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  11. ^ "Provincial General Election 2021-08-17- Official Results". Elections Nova Scotia. Retrieved October 7, 2021.

External links edit

  • Official website