Zach Churchill steps down as N.S. Liberal leader after election loss

N.S. Liberal leader steps down Nova Scotia Liberal Leader Zach Churchill stepped down Tuesday after losing his riding's seat in the November election.

Zach Churchill is stepping down as leader of the Nova Scotia Liberals after the party dropped to just two seats and lost official Opposition status in last month’s provincial election.

Flanked by Sydney-Membertou MLA Derek Mombourquette and Timberlea-Prospect MLA Iain Rankin – the only two Liberal MLAs left in the province – Churchill made the announcement Tuesday morning in Halifax.

“This election, the voters sent a clear message, and I respect that. As leader, it’s my responsibility to take ownership of this result. This is my loss, and mine alone to bear,” said Churchill.

The announcement comes a day after Elections Nova Scotia said a recount confirmed Churchill lost his Yarmouth riding to Progressive Conservative candidate Nick Hilton by 16 votes.

Churchill held the riding in his hometown of Yarmouth since a 2010 byelection. He was re-elected in 2013, 2017 and 2021, and elected Liberal leader in July 2022.

“This job has been incredibly rewarding, and that’s thanks to the many people I’ve met throughout my political career. I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I’m excited to spend more time at home with my family,” said Churchill.

“I want to thank Derek and Iain for their friendship and support over the years. I know they will continue to support Nova Scotians with strength and integrity.”

Mombourquette has been named interim leader of the Nova Scotia Liberals, effective immediately, though Rankin has also agreed to share in duties until a leadership race is held, splitting their time evenly.

“Our party has faced challenges before and we’ve always come back stronger, and I know together we can make a new vision for Nova Scotia’s future,” said Rankin.

Mombourquette says he will focus on rebuilding the party and advocating for Nova Scotians.

“I’m proud to have served alongside Zach for the past decade, and I want to wish him the best in his next journey,” said Mombourquette.

“While this is a difficult moment for our party, it’s also an opportunity to rebuild. I look forward to returning to the legislature to ensure the Houston government is accountable to their promises, and ensure our party continues fighting for the priorities that matter most to Nova Scotians.”

Meanwhile, Rankin will serve as House Leader for the Liberals.

“I want to thank Zach for his dedication to our party. It’s been a privilege to serve alongside him for so many years. I know that whatever he does in his next chapter, he will remain committed to our province,” said Rankin, a former Nova Scotia premier and Liberal leader.

“I’m deeply grateful to my community for allowing me to serve once again, and I will continue to be a champion for all Nova Scotians in the legislature.”

The party says it will announce the process for selecting a new leader in the coming months.

“The Liberal board will meet at some point when a leadership race is discussed and a date will be decided. That work hasn’t happened yet, but those conversations will start,” said Mombourquette.

Alex Marland, a professor and political scientist at Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S., says he wasn’t surprised with the outcome.

“All political parties from time to time go through this sort of thing. It doesn’t matter how good you are at one point, sometimes you’re going to be at the top, sometimes you might be at the bottom,” he said.

“Right now is not a good time to be a Liberal and loads of people who are Liberals recognize that.”

Premier Tim Houston issued a statement Tuesday, thanking Churchill for his years of service to the province.

"His commitment to Yarmouth and Nova Scotia has had a meaningful impact and his efforts have been appreciated by many," said Houston.

"I wish him all the best in his future endeavours and I know he will enjoy more time at Sunday dinners with his wife and daughters."

The Liberals have been out of power since Houston’s Progressive Conservatives won a majority government in 2021. Before that, the Liberals had been the governing party since 2013.

Last month, the Houston PCs secured their second majority government, winning 43 of the province’s 55 seats. The NDP won nine seats, earning the party official Opposition status under leader Claudia Chender. The Liberals dropped from 14 seats to two while there is one independent seat in the province, held by Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin in Cumberland North.

Nova Scotia’s newly-elected MLAs were sworn-in at a ceremony at the legislature in Halifax on Tuesday.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Hafsa Arif.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.