On February 23, 2021, Rankin became the 29th premier of Nova Scotia. Rankin called an election for August 17, 2021, which his Liberal Party lost to the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia led by Tim Houston. Rankin left office as Premier on August 31, 2021.
Rankin thereafter served as Leader of the Opposition in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. On January 5, 2022, Rankin announced that he will resign as leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party once a new leader is chosen.[5] He was succeeded as leader by Zach Churchill in the 2022 leadership election.
Before entering politics, Iain was employed as an operations manager and as a project manager. He was the Director of Operations for Dymon Storage Corporation, in Ottawa, Ontario.[10] After returning to Nova Scotia in 2011, Iain successfully managed the launch, as an operating partner, of Premiere Self Storage, in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.[11][12][13] He went on to work as a project manager in the commercial division of Armco Capital, focusing on redevelopment assignments in Nova Scotia and Quebec.
Advocacy
Rankin, a rescue dog owner, supported the Nova Scotia government's plan to outlaw tying pets up for longer than 12 hours.[14] In 2014 with the support of local residents, Rankin participated in a campaign with lawn signs targeting speeders with a message to slow down.[15] Through a private member's bill and was passed by the legislature, Rankin submitted Bill 176 which will restrict Otter Lake Waste Facility to its current height and size.[16][17][18]
In 2015, Rankin chaired an all-Party working group established by the Committee on Assembly Matters. He introduced a motion to approve the Nova Scotia House of Assembly policy on prevention and resolution of harassment in the workplace, drafted by the all-Party working group established by this committee on September 28, 2015.[19]
In April 2016, Rankin participated at the Community Services Standing Committee and introduced a motion asking that full funding for the Nova Scotia Association for Community Living (NSACL) be reinstated.[20]
In November 2016, after the submissions were heard at Law Amendments Committee, Rankin proposed a motion to stand The Accessibility Act for further consultation, quoted as saying "We have a moral obligation to get this bill right."[21]
During Rankin's time at Law Amendments Committee, Bill 59 (the Accessibility Act) was amended after witnesses appeared and staff consulted with representatives of persons with disabilities. It was moved to the Department of Justice and passed, in April 2017, with the intent of making the province accessible by 2030.[22]
Rankin first ran for public office in the 2013 Nova Scotia general election and was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. During his first term, he served as the Liberal caucus chair.[24] He was vice-chair of the public accounts committee, and a member of the assembly matters and the private and local bills committees. He was also a member of the House of Assembly Management Commission.
On June 15, 2017, Rankin was appointed to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia as Minister of Environment.[25] Rankin hired the first dedicated crown prosecutor to handle cases related to the Environment Act, food safety, public health, meat inspection, fisheries and aquaculture, animal welfare, natural resources and the fur industry.[26] Rankin passed legislation to introduce a cap and trade system in Nova Scotia.[27] As Minister of Environment, Rankin joined other leaders across the continent agreeing to regional cooperation on carbon pricing in the Americas.[28]
On July 5, 2018, Rankin was moved to Minister of Lands and Forestry in a cabinet shuffle.[29]
Rankin resigned from cabinet in October 2020 and announced his candidacy for the leadership of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.[30]
2021 Liberal leadership contest
On October 5, 2020, Rankin launched his campaign for Leadership of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, following Premier Stephen McNeil's announcement that he would be stepping down from his office. The other candidates in this contest were fellow former cabinet ministers Randy Delorey and Labi Kousoulis.
On February 6, 2021, Rankin was announced the Leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, and premier-designate of Nova Scotia.[4]
Premier of Nova Scotia
On February 23, 2021, Iain Rankin became the 29th Premier of Nova Scotia, succeeding Stephen McNeil following a competitive leadership election.[31] Following his election, he called a legislative session to pursue his legislative agenda, including an increase of $100 a month for all adults on income assistance, the largest single increase in the program's history,[32] and efforts to address systemic racism and advance equality issues. These included passage of the Emancipation Day Act, which formally recognizes the day the British Parliament abolished slavery,[33] and the Land Titles Initiative Acceleration Act, a bill that will help speed up the process of settling land titles for people living in historically Black communities.[34] Rankin also appointed Andrea Anderson as the province's public service commissioner, the first person of colour to head the commission.[35] Rankin created new Offices for Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives, as well as Mental Health and Addictions.[36] Rankin signed a $605 million agreement with the federal government to establish $10 per day childcare in Nova Scotia, by 2026.[37]
Through the new Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives, Rankin announced the creation of a working group that would help with race-based data collection. The data would be used to help improve equity, inclusion and diversity in health care and address racism.[38] To help address systemic racism in the justice system Rankin announced $4.8 million to establish the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute.[39]
On his first day in office, Rankin announced incentives for the purchase of new and used electric vehicles as well as energy efficiency support for low-income Nova Scotians.[40] In his throne speech, Rankin announced a commitment to get Nova Scotia off coal by 2030, ten years earlier than previously planned.[41] The Environment Department was renamed Environment and Climate Change to highlight Rankin's commitment to the issue, and all mandate letters to ministers noted the need to consider climate change and for it to factor into their respective policy and program decisions.[42] The Rankin government announced 61 more wilderness areas, nature reserves and provincial parks.[43]
In recognition of Mi’kmaq people, language, and the significant geographical location, Rankin unveiled a new sign in Mi’kmaq, labelled "Pjila’si Unama’kik", at the causeway in Cape Breton, along with Mi’kmaq elders and chiefs.[44]
The Rankin government invested $5 million to help make the sports more inclusive and accessible. The biggest investment in community and amateur sport in recent history.[45]
The Liberal Party of Nova Scotia bus in front of Ali Duale's campaign office at Armdale Professional Building (2625 Joseph Howe Drive, Halifax) on July 18, 2021.
Former premier Rodney MacDonald joined Rankin, in Mabou, to announce the creation of a satellite campus in Mabou for the Gaelic College, called Beinn Mhabu. The province invested 1.92 million to renovate St Joseph’s convent. It opened in September, of 2023.[46] Rankin was also responsible for launching a new Forest innovation Centre at the Nova Scotia Community College. The first forestry training facility in the province.[47]
In April 2021, following a spike in COVID-19 cases, Rankin enacted lockdown measures which brought case numbers down, and case numbers remained low for the remainder of his tenure.[48] Nova Scotia maintained the highest vaccination rates in Canada.[49][better source needed] Rankin launched a plan to add 264 new long-term care beds and replace 1,298 beds at 14 nursing homes and three residential care facilities across the province.[50]
In June 2021, with the Liberal government enjoying a 75% approval rating, Rankin called for an election.[51] While the Liberals focused on their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Progressive Conservatives ran a campaign that was largely focused on the ongoing Healthcare crisis in Nova Scotia.[52] Despite starting the campaign with a lead of 8 points in the polls,[53] the Progressive Conservatives, led by Tim Houston, won a majority government. This marked the first time since 2006 that the Progressive Conservatives had won an election in Nova Scotia. Rankin claimed full responsibility for the loss.[54] Rankin left office as Premier on August 31, 2021.
Post-premiership
Rankin thereafter served as Leader of the Opposition. On January 5, 2022, Rankin announced that he will resign as leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party once a new leader is chosen. [55] He was succeeded as Liberal leader and Leader of the Opposition by Zach Churchill after the 2022 leadership election.
As of September 22, 2024, Rankin serves as the Official Opposition critic for Environment and Climate Change, Justice, and Gaelic Affairs.
