Jamie Baillie (born April 28, 1966) is a former Canadian politician. He served as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia from 2010 to 2018, and was the Leader of the Opposition from 2013 until January 2018, when he resigned and returned to the private sector. At the same time, he resigned as MLA for Cumberland South, the riding he had represented in the House of Assembly since 2010.

Jamie Baillie
Leader of the Opposition
In office
October 22, 2013 – January 24, 2018
Preceded byStephen McNeil
Succeeded byKarla MacFarlane
Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
for Cumberland South
In office
October 26, 2010 – January 24, 2018
Preceded byMurray Scott
Succeeded byTory Rushton
Personal details
Born
James Russell Baillie

(1966-04-28) April 28, 1966 (age 58)
Truro, Nova Scotia
Political partyProgressive Conservative
SpouseSandra Crowell
Children2
Alma materDalhousie University (BCom)

Prior to entering politics, he was a chartered accountant and the head of Credit Union Atlantic.

Early life and career

edit

Raised in Truro, Nova Scotia, he graduated from Cobequid Educational Centre in 1984. Baillie has been involved with the Progressive Conservative Party for over 25 years. While earning his commerce degree at Dalhousie University, Baillie became involved in the Nova Scotia PC Youth and served as president of the Dalhousie Young PCs and president of the Nova Scotia Young Progressive Conservatives. He also served as a cabinet minister in the Nova Scotia Youth Parliament, and an M.P. in the Youth Parliament of Canada. He went on to earn his Chartered Accountant designation, graduated from the Canadian Securities Institute and completed the High Potential Leadership Program at Harvard Business School.[citation needed]

In 2002, Premier John Hamm called upon Baillie to serve as his chief of staff.[1] Baillie acted as a principal advisor to Hamm and played a key role on a number of initiatives, including improvements to public education and the preparation and presentation of balanced budgets.

In 2008 and 2009, he was the co-chair of the United Way of Halifax Region campaign.[2] The campaign aimed to raise $6 million but surpassed that goal.[3][4]

He has also served as Chair of the Board for Neptune Theatre and is a director of the Halifax International Airport Authority. He was also a member of the Board of Governors at Dalhousie University and of the Junior Achievement Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame and is a Past President of Prescott Group, a sheltered workshop for intellectually challenged adults.[5]

Baillie has also worked as a senior partner with Robertson Surrette, a human resources consulting firm, and was the vice president of Finance for CitiGroup Properties.[6]

Political career

edit

On June 7, 2010, Baillie announced his candidacy for leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia.[7] He launched his campaign by pledging a return to accountability, conservative principles and a new direction for the party and the province.[8] Baillie brings a fiscally conservative approach to politics, including a promise to get a handle on the growing debt, return to mandatory balanced budgets and reduce the growth of a burgeoning civil service.[9]

In his campaign launch, Baillie touted ideas to combat population decline that included immigration targets to bring Nova Scotia's population to one million people and an income tax exemption for graduates under 30 years old. He also emphasized that stronger regional collaboration is needed among Atlantic Provinces on energy generation and transmission.[10]

When nominations closed on August 16, 2010, Baillie was the only candidate to enter the race and won the leadership uncontested.[11] He was named interim leader on August 18,[12] and officially took over as leader when ratified by party members at a convention in October 2010.[13]

On September 8, 2010, Baillie announced his intention to run in a byelection for the constituency of Cumberland South, left vacant by retiring Progressive Conservative member Murray Scott.[14][15]

On October 26, 2010, Baillie won the byelection to represent Cumberland South in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.[16]

In the 2013 election, Baillie led the Progressive Conservatives to second place, winning 11 seats and becoming Leader of the Opposition.[17][18] He also won personal re-election in the Cumberland South riding.[19][20] Baillie's 2013 campaign was managed by Janet Fryday-Dorey[21] chaired by Halifax-based lawyer, Tara Erskine.[22]

In the 2017 election, Baillie's Progressive Conservatives won 17 seats, retaining Official Opposition status, as the Liberals won a second consecutive majority government.[23] Baillie was again re-elected in Cumberland South.[24] The 2017 PC campaign was managed by Chad Bowie.[25]

On January 24, 2018, Baillie's resignation as Party Leader was requested by Nova Scotia's Progressive Conservative Party following a third-party investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and other inappropriate behaviour by Baillie. After submitting his resignation, Baillie returned to the private sector.[26] The incident has been a catalyst for the discussion of the use and abuse of NDAs within Nova Scotia.[27]

Personal life and honours

edit

Baillie is married to Sandra Crowell. They have two daughters. He is currently a Senior Strategy Associate with Samuel Associates.

He was named one of Atlantic Canada's top 50 CEOs for five years running.[28] He is a member of Atlantic Business Magazine’s Hall of Fame and in 2010 he was named a Fellow Chartered Accountant, the highest designation for that profession.[29]

See also

edit

Electoral record

edit

2017 general election

edit
2017 Nova Scotia general election: Cumberland South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Jamie Baillie 3,536 51.49 +0.53
Liberal Kenny John Jackson 2,779 40.47 +0.26
New Democratic Larry Duchesne 398 5.80 -0.98
Atlantica Thor Lengies 154 2.24
Total valid votes 6,897 100.00
Total rejected ballots 35 0.51 -0.19
Turnout 6,902 63.20 -2.53
Eligible voters 10,921
Progressive Conservative hold Swing +0.14
2013 Nova Scotia general election: Cumberland South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  Progressive Conservative Jamie Baillie 3,653 50.9% -6.30
  Liberal Kenny Jackson 2,417 33.7% -4.26
  New Democratic Party Larry Duchesne 872 12.2% +7.36
Green Bruce McCulloch 228 3.2% -
October 26, 2010 Cumberland South by-election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  Progressive Conservative Jamie Baillie 3,262 57.20% -10.26
Liberal Kenny Jackson 2,165 37.96% +32.89
  New Democratic Party Scott McKee 276 4.84% -21.06

References

edit
  1. ^ "Premier Welcomes Jamie Baillie as New Chief of Staff". Government of Nova Scotia. December 21, 2001. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  2. ^ "United Way aims higher at this year's campaign kickoff". Metro. September 13, 2009. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  3. ^ "Community generosity ensures United Way exceed $6 million goal". United Way Halifax. February 25, 2010. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  4. ^ "United Way charity posts record donation tally". News 95.7. February 25, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  5. ^ "Jamie Baillie". PC Party. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
  6. ^ "Meet Jamie Baillie: Veteran Tory leader takes second kick at election can". CTV News. The Canadian Press. May 1, 2017. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  7. ^ "Baillie wants to lead N.S. Tories". CBC News. June 7, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  8. ^ "NS: Baillie promises new direction for PC party, province". Nova Scotia Business Journal. June 7, 2010. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  9. ^ Stephenson, Marilla (June 9, 2010). "Early, eager will benefit Baillie". The Chronicle Herald. Archived from the original on June 16, 2010. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  10. ^ Speech to supporters on YouTube
  11. ^ "Baillie to be next N.S. Tory leader". CBC News. August 16, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  12. ^ "Nova Scotia Tories name new interim leader". CTV News. August 19, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  13. ^ "New N.S. PC leader promises fiscal restraint". CBC News. October 30, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  14. ^ "MLA Scott makes way for Baillie". CBC News. September 8, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  15. ^ "Scott resigns, Baillie to run for vacant seat". Metro. September 8, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  16. ^ "Baillie wins Cumberland South byelection". CBC News. October 26, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  17. ^ "Baillie leads PCs into 2nd". The Chronicle Herald. October 9, 2013. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  18. ^ "Tories take 2nd and become Opposition as party rebuilds". CBC News. October 8, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  19. ^ "Baillie, PCs to lead official opposition". Cumberland News Now. October 8, 2013. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  20. ^ "PC leader Jamie Baillie takes his Cumberland South riding". Global News. October 8, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  21. ^ "Few come-from-aways on trail". The Chronicle Herald. April 20, 2017. Archived from the original on April 19, 2018. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  22. ^ "Baillie shows he is the only leader with a plan for Nova Scotia's economy". PC Party NS. September 10, 2013. Archived from the original on September 23, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  23. ^ "Liberals score back-to-back majorities in Nova Scotia nail-biter". CBC News. May 30, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  24. ^ "McCrossin, Baillie cruise to election wins in Cumberland County". Truro Daily News. May 30, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  25. ^ "MacPolitics: Tory Strategist Chad Bowie Backs Cecil Clarke | The Macdonald Notebook". www.themacdonaldnotebook.ca. January 26, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  26. ^ "Nova Scotia PC Leader Jamie Baillie Forced Out Over Allegations of Inappropriate Behaviour". CBC News. January 24, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  27. ^ "Parents of former PC staffer file court documents saying daughter got a settlement to stay quiet". CBC News. January 23, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  28. ^ "2010 Top 50 CEO Award Winners". Atlantic Business Magazine. May 2010. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  29. ^ "Fellow of the Chartered Accountants". ICANS. Archived from the original on October 15, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
edit