From November 16 to 21, 2026, members of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party will vote in a leadership election to choose a permanent leader to succeed Zach Churchill, who announced his resignation after being defeated in the 2024 Nova Scotia general election.
The party will elect its first female leader using a preferential one-member one-vote system, weighted by provincial electoral district.
Background In 2022, Churchill won the leadership election, leading the Liberals into the 2024 general election. The party placed in third place with two seats, behind the Progressive Conservative Party and New Democratic Party; this was the worst result in party history. Churchill himself was unseated by 14 votes by PC candidate Nick Hilton. He resigned as leader of the party on December 10, 2024. MLA Derek Mombourquette served as interim leader from 2024 to 2025, and was then replaced by former leader Iain Rankin.
The party announced its rules for the leadership election in June 2025.
Timeline November 26, 2024 – The Nova Scotia general election is held, resulting in a second consecutive majority PC government. The Liberals won two seats, falling to third place. Zach Churchill failed to win his own seat, and resigned as party leader on December 10. December 10, 2024 – MLA Derek Mombourquette becomes interim Liberal leader. January 8, 2025 – Rules and procedures for the contest are announced. December 8, 2025 – MLA Iain Rankin becomes interim Liberal leader. June 9, 2026 – Deputy warden Amanda Mombourquette announces her candidacy. July 28, 2026 – Candidate registration and first entrance fee payment deadline. July 31, 2026 – MLA Becky Druhan announces her candidacy. August 28, 2026 – Second entrance fee payment deadline. September 28, 2026 – Second entrance fee payment deadline. November 16, 2026 – Voting opens. November 21, 2026 – Voting closes. Leadership convention held.
Candidates Declared Amanda Mombourquette Amanda Mombourquette, Richmond County deputy warden Candidacy announced: June 8, 2026 Campaign website:
Becky Druhan Becky Druhan, MLA for Lunenburg West (2021–present); formerly Progressive Conservative until 2025, then independent until 2026; former Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, 2021–2024; former Minister of Justice and Attorney General, 2024–2025 Candidacy announced: July 31, 2026 Campaign website:
Declined Sean Fraser, MP for Central Nova (2015–present) Alana Hirtle, MP for Cumberland—Colchester (2025–present) Derek Mombourquette, interim leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party (2024–2025), MLA for Sydney-Membertou (2015–present)
See also
2026 Canadian electoral calendar Nova Scotia Liberal Party leadership elections
References