Angela Simmonds

Angela Simmonds
MLA
Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
for Preston
In office
August 17, 2021 – April 1, 2023
Preceded byRiding Established
Succeeded byTwila Grosse
Executive Director of the Land Titles Initiative
In office
March 5, 2021 – August 17, 2021
Personal details
Born (1975-10-12) October 12, 1975 (age 48)
Political partyNova Scotia Liberal Party
Residence(s)North Preston, Nova Scotia
Alma materDalhousie University
OccupationLawyer, politician
WebsiteNova Scotia Legislature Website: https://nslegislature.ca/members/profiles/angela-simmonds

Angela Eve Simmonds (born October 12, 1975) is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2021 Nova Scotia general election.[1] She represented the riding of Preston as a member of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party until April 1, 2023. Prior to Simmonds election, she was a lawyer, social justice advocate, and executive director of the Land Titles Initiative.

Simmonds announced on January 25, 2023 that she would step down as MLA for Preston on April 1 of that year.[2]

Early life and education[edit]

Simmonds grew up in Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia and graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 2017.

Personal life[edit]

She lives in North Preston with her husband, Dean, who is a superintendent with the Halifax Regional Police, and they have three children.[3]

Land titles initiative[edit]

In 2014, Simmonds authored a document named: "This Land is Our Land: African Nova Scotian Voices from the Preston Area Speak Up". This document talked about how the African Nova Scotian communities in the Preston areas continue to face ongoing concerns regarding the expropriation of land, clarity of land titles and education regarding land ownership and inheritance. The challenges that Simmonds wrote about highlighted that the challenges in these communities stem from a history fraught with racism, oppression and inequity. In the document Simmonds referenced that today, fewer instances of overt racism occur and the problems are more systemic, however more work needs to be done.[4]

Following the publication of: "This Land is Our Land: African Nova Scotian Voices from the Preston Area Speak Up", Simmonds continued her advocacy for land titles to be granted to those residing on unregistered land. Owing to her commitment on resolving the issue, Simmonds was named executive director of the Land Titles Initiative on March 5, 2021, by the Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives.[5] Due to Simmonds' election in August, 2021, she had to step aside from the role as she was now the MLA for Preston.[6]

Political career[edit]

Simmonds was one of four Black Canadians elected to the Nova Scotia legislature in 2021.[1] On September 24, 2021, Simmonds was elected Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, which makes Simmonds the first African Nova Scotian speaker in the province's history.[7] Simmonds is a member of the Law Amendments Committee. She is also a member of the House of Assembly Management Commission.[8]

Simmonds is the Justice Critic within the Nova Scotia Liberal Caucus[9]

On October 29, 2021, the House of Assembly voted to condemn a Justice Ministry staff member who was later fired after making racist comments against Simmonds on social media.[10]

2022 Liberal leadership contest[edit]

On February 4, 2022, Simmonds launched her campaign for leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party following Iain Rankin's announcement that he would be stepping down. She was the first person to declare their candidacy for Leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party[11] Simmonds' leadership campaign slogan was "New Energy for Nova Scotians". On July 9, 2022, she lost the leadership election to Zach Churchill.

Simmonds' leadership campaign logo

Resignation[edit]

Simmonds announced her resignation as MLA for Preston in January 2023.[12] Her resignation became effective on April 1, 2023.[13] In the 2023 Preston provincial by-election, the seat was taken by Progressive Conservative Twila Grosse with the Liberal candidate being pushed into third place.[14]

Bills introduced[edit]

Assembly Act Title Date
Assembly 64, Session 1 Dismantling Racism and Hate Act[15] October 13, 2021

Electoral record[edit]

2021 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Angela Simmonds 2,226 43.38 -5.66
Progressive Conservative Archy Beals 1,472 28.69 +6.00
New Democratic Colter C.C. Simmonds 1,433 27.93 +4.36
Total valid votes 5,131 99.21
Total rejected ballots 41 0.79
Turnout 5,172 46.78
Eligible voters 11,055
Liberal notional hold Swing -5.83
Source: Elections Nova Scotia[16]

Liberal leadership 2022 results[edit]

Candidate Ballot 1
Name Votes Points
Zach Churchill 2,186
66.50%		 3,580.00
65.09%
Angela Simmonds 1,101
33.50%		 1,920.00
34.91%
TOTAL 3,287 5,500

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Record number of Black MLAs elected to Nova Scotia Legislature". CBC News Nova Scotia, August 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "Preston MLA Angela Simmonds to step down". CBC. January 25, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  3. ^ 2017 Convocation profile: Angela Simmonds Dalhousie University
  4. ^ Simmonds, Angela (August 19, 2014). "This Land is Our Land: African Nova Scotian Voices from the Preston Area Speak Up" (PDF). Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  5. ^ Iain, Rankin (March 5, 2021). "Lawyer and community leader Angela Simmonds has been named Executive Director of the Land Titles Initiative to lead this important work". twitter.
  6. ^ "Land Title Claims: The Struggle Continues". The Eastern Shore Cooperator. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
  7. ^ "Liberal MLA Angela Simmonds chosen first Black deputy Speaker". Twitter. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  8. ^ david (2021-08-19). "Angela Simmonds". Nova Scotia Legislature. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  9. ^ "Our Liberal MLA Critic Roles". Nova Scotia's Liberals. September 7, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  10. ^ "'Racism is alive and well,' MLA Simmonds says after staffer fired for racist message about her | Saltwire".
  11. ^ I'm In., retrieved 2022-02-08
  12. ^ reporter, Matthew Byard, Local Journalism Initiative (2023-01-25). "Angela Simmonds resigns as Preston MLA, deputy Speaker". Halifax Examiner. Retrieved 2023-05-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Campbell, Francis. "Preston MLA Angela Simmonds lauded on her last day at Province House | SaltWire". www.saltwire.com. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  14. ^ "Tories' Twila Grosse wins provincial byelection in Nova Scotia riding of Preston". Yahoo News. 2023-08-09. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  15. ^ "Bills". Nova Scotia Legislature. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  16. ^ "Provincial General Election 2021-08-17- Official Results". Elections Nova Scotia. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
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