Russell MacLellan

Russell Gregoire MacLellan (born January 16, 1940) is a Canadian politician who served as the 24th premier of Nova Scotia from 1997 to 1999.

Federal politics

He was first elected to the House of Commons of Canada in the 1979 federal election for the riding of Cape Breton—The Sydneys and sat as a Liberal MP until 1997.

Provincial politics

In 1997, he became leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party and premier of the province after John Savage was forced to resign due to discontent within his party and sagging polls. MacLellan tried to revive the Liberal government's fortunes; he narrowly won a minority government in the 1998 election,<ref>Template:Cite web. Halifax Chronicle-Herald, March 25, 1998. Retrieved April 26, 2010.</ref> but his government was defeated in a confidence vote in 1999<ref>Template:Cite web. Halifax Chronicle-Herald, June 18, 1999. Retrieved April 26, 2010.</ref> and then defeated in the resulting 1999 election.<ref>Template:Cite web. Halifax Chronicle-Herald, July 28, 1999. Retrieved April 26, 2010.</ref>

On January 26, 2000, MacLellan announced he would step down as Liberal leader on June 30.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He continued to sit as an MLA until resigning in October 2000.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

After politics

Following his resignation, MacLellan returned to practising law, working for the Halifax-based law firm, Merrick Holm.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

External links

• Template:Canadian Parliament links