Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia

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Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia
Image:PCNSlogo.jpg
Active Provincial Party
Founded 1867
Leader Rodney MacDonald
President Scott Armstrong
Headquarters 801-1660 Hollis Street

Halifax, NS
B3J 1V7

Political ideology Conservatism
International alignment
Colours Blue
Website www.rodneymacdonald.ca

The Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia, registered under the Nova Scotia Elections Act as the "Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia", is a moderate right-of-centre political party in Nova Scotia, Canada.

It originated from the Confederation Party of Charles Tupper. Tupper united members of the pre-Confederation Conservative Party (who were predominantly United Empire Loyalists and members of the business elite) and supporters of Sir John A. Macdonald's national Conservative coalition. The party supported Macdonald's protectionist National Policy, nation-building, and the unification of British North America.

Canadian confederation was initially unpopular in Nova Scotia, and the party was out of government for most of the late 19th century. It only formed government for a few of the years between 1867 and 1956.

The modern party was built by Robert Stanfield after World War II. Stanfield, the scion of a wealthy textile family, considered himself a socialist at university and, while he later moderated his views, he always remained a progressive. Under his leadership, what was by then the "Progressive Conservative Party" became a moderate Red Tory organization. Stanfield took over the party in 1948 when it had no seats in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and by 1956, had built it into an organization that was able to sweep to power.

Stanfield left to become leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party in 1967, but the Tories have remained the dominant party in Nova Scotia since then. The party has formed the government for more than twice as many years as the Liberals since 1956.

Premier Rodney MacDonald leads the party and the current government in the provincial House of Assembly with 23 out of 52 seats.

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