Jennifer McKenzie (politician)

Jennifer McKenzie
Leader of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party
In office
August 10, 2017 – February 25, 2019
Preceded byRosaire L'Italien
Succeeded byMackenzie Thomason (interim)
Personal details
BornFredericton, New Brunswick
Political partyNew Brunswick New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
OccupationEngineer

Jennifer McKenzie (born 1962)[1] is a Canadian politician and former leader of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party. She was acclaimed as leader on August 10, 2017. On February 25, 2019, a day after losing a leadership review on whether or not a new leadership election should be held within six months, she resigned as leader rather than run as a leadership candidate.[2]

McKenzie had previously served as chair of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board for two terms.[2]

She is an engineer by training and a tech entrepreneur who formerly served as vice-president of Instantel Inc, a technology manufacturer.[1] McKenzie was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick and moved to Ontario to pursue her career before returning to New Brunswick. She lives in Saint John, New Brunswick. McKenzie has three adult children.[3]

McKenzie was a candidate for the New Democratic Party in Fundy Royal for the 2015 federal election placing third with 18% of the vote.[2] Previously, she was also a candidate for the Ontario New Democratic Party in Ottawa Centre in the 2014 Ontario provincial election finishing second with 20% of the vote.[1]

McKenzie led the NDP during the 2018 provincial election. The party failed to win any seats and McKenzie ran third in her district of Saint John Harbour.

Electoral record

2018 New Brunswick general election: Saint John Harbour
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Gerry Lowe 1,865 32.9%
Progressive Conservative Barry Ogden 1,855 32.7%
New Democratic Jennifer McKenzie 836 14.7%
Green Wayne Dryer 721 12.7%
People's Alliance Margot Brideau 393 6.9%
Total valid votes 100.0  
Total rejected ballots
Turnout
Eligible voters


2015 Canadian federal election: Fundy Royal
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Alaina Lockhart 19,136 40.87 +30.44 $44,760.36
Conservative Rob Moore 17,361 37.09 −20.88 $94,342.23
New Democratic Jennifer McKenzie 8,204 17.52 −9.34 $48,770.66
Green Stephanie Coburn 1,823 3.89 −0.83 $1,469.99
Independent David Raymond Amos 296 0.63 – –
Total valid votes/expense limit 46,820 100.0   $204,844.46
Total rejected ballots 241 0.51
Turnout 47,061 75.04
Eligible voters 62,713
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +25.66
Source(s)
  • "Fundy Royal". Election Results. Elections Canada. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  • Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates
2014 Ontario general election: Ottawa Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Yasir Naqvi 27,689 52.02 +4.86
New Democratic Jennifer McKenzie 10,894 20.47 −8.74
Progressive Conservative Rob Dekker 9,678 18.18 −0.21
Green Kevin O'Donnell 4,163 7.82 +3.42
Libertarian Bruce A. Faulkner 525 0.99 +1.08
Communist Larry L. Wasslen 283 0.53 +0.21
Total valid votes 53,232 100.0   +5.74
Liberal hold Swing +6.80
Source(s)
"Election Night Results – General Election Results by District – 062, Ottawa Centre – Unofficial". Elections Ontario. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board election, 2010: Zone 10
Candidate Vote %
Jennifer McKenzie (X) 11,828 75.10
Megan Carroll 3,921 24.90
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board election, 2006: Zone 10
Candidate Votes %
Jennifer McKenzie 9,198 54.38
Joan Spice (X) 7,716 45.62

References

  1. ^ a b c "Former Ottawa school board chair acclaimed as N.B. NDP leader". CTV News. August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c MacKinnon, Bobbi-Jean (August 10, 2017). "NDP hopes to reclaim members with Jennifer McKenzie as new leader". CBC News. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  3. ^ "New Brunswick's new leader of NDP named". Global News. August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 12, 2017.