Denise Peterson-Rafuse
Denise Peterson-Rafuse | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly for Chester-St. Margaret's | |
| In office June 9, 2009 – May 30, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Judy Streatch |
| Succeeded by | Hugh MacKay |
| Minister of Community Services | |
| In office June 19, 2009 – October 22, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Chris d'Entremont |
| Succeeded by | Joanne Bernard |
| Minister for Seniors | |
| In office June 19, 2009 – October 22, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Len Goucher |
| Succeeded by | Leo Glavine |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | New Democrat |
Denise J. Peterson-Rafuse is a Canadian politician, who represented the electoral district of Chester-St. Margaret's in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 2009 to 2017 as a member of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party.[1]
Early life and education[edit]
Peterson-Rafuse earned a Bachelor of Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University in 1986.[2] She worked for the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.[3]
Political career[edit]
In 2009, Peterson-Rafuse successfully ran for the New Democratic Party nomination in the riding of Chester-St. Margaret's. She was elected in the 2009 provincial election[4] and was re-elected in the 2013 provincial election.[5]
On June 19, 2009, Peterson-Rafuse was appointed to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia as Minister of Community Services, Minister responsible for Seniors and the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, and chair of the Senior Citizens' Secretariat.[6]
In March 2016, Peterson-Rafuse was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.[7] On April 6, 2016, Peterson-Rafuse announced that she would be taking a leave of absence to deal with her diagnosis.[8]
In the 2017 election, Peterson-Rafuse was defeated by Liberal Hugh MacKay.[9]
For the 2021 election, Peterson-Rafuse endorsed the Progressive Conservatives for their proposed health care plan, citing her prior diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and the difficulties in finding adequate support.[10][11]
Electoral record[edit]
| 2017 Nova Scotia general election | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | ||||
| Liberal | Hugh MacKay | 3,112 | 35.46 | +4.40 | ||||
| New Democratic | Denise Peterson-Rafuse | 3,021 | 34.42 | -0.82 | ||||
| Progressive Conservative | Julie Chaisson | 2,230 | 25.41 | -8.29 | ||||
| Green | Harry Ward | 413 | 4.71 | N/A | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Democratic Party | Denise Peterson-Rafuse | 3341 | 35.25 | ||
| Progressive Conservative | Janet Elizabeth Irwin | 3193 | 33.69 | ||
| Liberal | Timothy Whitman Harris | 2943 | 31.06 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Democratic Party | Denise Peterson-Rafuse | 4835 | 48.09 | ||
| Progressive Conservative | Judy Streatch | 2762 | 27.47 | ||
| Liberal | Jo-Ann Grant | 2122 | 21.11 | ||
| Green | Ryan Cameron | 335 | 3.33 | – | |
References[edit]
- ^ "Nova Scotia Legislature". Nova Scotia Legislature. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ "Folia Montana" (PDF). msvu.ca. Mount Saint Vincent University. p. 28. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ Bower, Evan (May 17, 2017). "Chester–St. Margaret's candidates". lighthousenow.ca. Lighthouse Now. Archived from the original on March 20, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ "'Perfect storm' boosts NDP support outside HRM". Metro. June 10, 2009. Archived from the original on October 19, 2014. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ "Rafuse one of few NDP to keep seat". The Chronicle Herald. October 9, 2013. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ "Atlantic Canada's 1st NDP government takes office in Nova Scotia". CBC News. June 19, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
- ^ "MLA Denise Peterson-Rafuse says MS diagnosis has provided insight". CBC News. July 11, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
- ^ "N.S. MLA taking time off work after MS diagnosis". CTV News. April 6, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
- ^ "Liberal Hugh MacKay defeats NDP Denise Peterson-Rafuse in Chester-St. Margaret's". Global News. May 31, 2017. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
- ^ Edwards, Danielle (August 13, 2021). "N.S. Tory leader leans left with endorsement from former NDP cabinet minister". CTV News Atlantic. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
- ^ Gorman, Michael. "Former NDP cabinet minister says Tories the best bet to defeat Liberals". CBC News. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
External links[edit]
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