Two candidates vying to be first woman to lead the Nova Scotia’s Liberals

Nova Scotia Lt.-Gov. Arthur LeBlanc reads the speech from throne at Province House in Halifax on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

By Devin Stevens, The Canadian Press

Posted Aug 1, 2026 03:48:56 PM.

Last Updated Aug 1, 2026 03:51:22 PM.

HALIFAX — The next leader of Nova Scotia’s Liberal party will be the first woman in history to head the provincial party.

The Liberals announced Friday that Becky Druhan and Amanda Mombourquette are the two approved leadership candidates.

Druhan is a former Progressive Conservative cabinet minister in Premier Tim Houston’s government.

She joined the Liberals in May after first sitting as an independent.

Mombourquette is the deputy warden of Richmond County Council and has previously worked at the Nova Scotia Community College and the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce.

Liberals will choose their next leader on Nov. 21.

“This leadership race is an important opportunity for our party to come together, engage members from across Nova Scotia, and build the momentum needed to earn the trust of Nova Scotians,” party president Margaret Miller said in a statement.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2026.

Devin Stevens, The Canadian Press

Keep it Factual

Add CityNews Halifax as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.

Submit a Correction

Accessibility Feedback

Top Stories

Province announces new investment in biotechnology sector

Nova Scotia is investing in the Verschuren Centre, helping create jobs and a new training program in an effort to support the biotechnology sector. The investment will help improve the centre’s...

18h ago

Canada needs tax reform — relieving small business pain might be the first step

OTTAWA — One of Prime Minister Mark Carney's point people on the government's budget consultations says Ottawa plans to tackle long-awaited tax code reform "one bite at a time" and changes for small businesses are high on the priority list.

23h ago

2:17

Greer says Canada must stop retaliating

The U.S. Trade Representative says talks with Canada have been 'constructive' but says Canada must drop its retaliatory tariffs. Canada currently tariffs U.S. steel and aluminum at 25%, a response to U.S. tariffs of 50%.

August 14, 2026 6:42 pm AST AST

Traffic lane closures and construction around Halifax Regional Municipality

With summer in the swing across Nova Scotia, so are repairs and renovations to highways and roadways. This week there are lane closures for road maintenance; some areas could be down to a lane and others...

August 14, 2026 1:25 pm AST AST

Top Stories

Province announces new investment in biotechnology sector

Nova Scotia is investing in the Verschuren Centre, helping create jobs and a new training program in an effort to support the biotechnology sector. The investment will help improve the centre’s...

18h ago

Canada needs tax reform — relieving small business pain might be the first step

OTTAWA — One of Prime Minister Mark Carney's point people on the government's budget consultations says Ottawa plans to tackle long-awaited tax code reform "one bite at a time" and changes for small businesses are high on the priority list.

23h ago

2:17

Greer says Canada must stop retaliating

The U.S. Trade Representative says talks with Canada have been 'constructive' but says Canada must drop its retaliatory tariffs. Canada currently tariffs U.S. steel and aluminum at 25%, a response to U.S. tariffs of 50%.

August 14, 2026 6:42 pm AST AST

Traffic lane closures and construction around Halifax Regional Municipality

With summer in the swing across Nova Scotia, so are repairs and renovations to highways and roadways. This week there are lane closures for road maintenance; some areas could be down to a lane and others...

August 14, 2026 1:25 pm AST AST

Most Watched Today

0:42

Karoline Leavitt to step down as White House Press Secretary

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Karoline Leavitt will be stepping down as White House Press Secretary at the end of August.

August 13, 2026 11:51 am AST AST

1:02

Hockey Canada players acquitted of sexual assault breached code of conduct: report

An independent report found that the five players on Canada’s 2018 world junior team who were acquitted of sexual assault breached the Hockey Canada code of conduct.

August 12, 2026 4:48 pm AST AST

0:30

Canada secures ticket to 2028 LA Olympics in flag football

Canada's women's flag football team has qualified for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where the sport will make its Olympic debut.

13h ago

2:06

Wildfire engulfs tourist town in Croatia

At least one person has died and dozens more have been injured after a wildfire descended on a popular tourist town in Croatia. Erica Natividad with more on what's being described as the most catastrophic wildfire the area has seen.

August 14, 2026 7:43 pm AST AST

2:38

Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to federal stalking charges, admits to killing CEO

Mangione could face up to life in prison. Erica Natividad with how the 28-year-old's lawyers are now seeking the dismissal of the state murder case on double jeopardy grounds.

August 14, 2026 7:45 pm AST AST