Charlie Parker (politician)
Encyclopedia
C. L. Parker is a Canadian
politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
(MLA) in Nova Scotia
, Canada. He represents the constituency of Pictou West
for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party
.
Born on his family's farm in Durham, Pictou County, Parker now lives in Loch Broom. He is married with two children.
A graduate of West Pictou District High School, Parker obtained his Bachelor of Science
degree from Acadia University
. He is also a graduate of the Nova Scotia Teachers College
.
Prior to politics, Parker worked in real estate, owned and operated a garden centre, and was a teacher.
Parker's first political office was as a councillor in the Municipality of Pictou County, where he served four terms.
In 1998, Parker ran for provincial office. In a very close race, he won with 40.3% of the vote - only 33 votes more than the closest contender. However, in another close race, Parker lost the seat in 1999 with 35.69%, a 147 vote difference. In 2003 Parker re-offered and was re-elected with 44.05% of the vote, a difference of 880 votes. He held the seat again in 2006, with 54.89%, increasing his lead to 1,589 votes.
Parker has served as the New Democratic Caucus' critic
for Natural Resources. He has also been Chair
of the Standing Committee on Private and Local Bills and sits on the Legislature's Human Resources Committee.
After being re-elected in the 2009 election, Parker was elected Speaker of the House of Assembly. He resigned this post in January 2011 after being offered a cabinet position, assuming responsibility for both Natural Resources and Energy.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
Nova Scotia House of Assembly
The Nova Scotia Legislature, consisting of Her Majesty The Queen represented by the Lieutenant Governor and the House of Assembly, is the legislative branch of the provincial government of Nova Scotia, Canada...
(MLA) in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, Canada. He represents the constituency of Pictou West
Pictou West
Pictou West is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.Its Member of the Legislative Assembly since 2003 has been Charlie Parker of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party ....
for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party
Nova Scotia New Democratic Party
The Nova Scotia New Democratic Party is a social-democratic provincial party in Nova Scotia, Canada. It is aligned with the federal New Democratic Party . Originally founded as the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation in 1932, it became the New Democratic Party in 1961. It became the governing...
.
Born on his family's farm in Durham, Pictou County, Parker now lives in Loch Broom. He is married with two children.
A graduate of West Pictou District High School, Parker obtained his Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree from Acadia University
Acadia University
Acadia University is a predominantly undergraduate university located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada with some graduate programs at the master's level and one at the doctoral level...
. He is also a graduate of the Nova Scotia Teachers College
Nova scotia teachers college
The Nova Scotia Teachers College is a former university that was located in the town of Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada.Founded as the Provincial Normal School the college was established by an act of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, which received Royal Assent on March 31, 1854...
.
Prior to politics, Parker worked in real estate, owned and operated a garden centre, and was a teacher.
Parker's first political office was as a councillor in the Municipality of Pictou County, where he served four terms.
In 1998, Parker ran for provincial office. In a very close race, he won with 40.3% of the vote - only 33 votes more than the closest contender. However, in another close race, Parker lost the seat in 1999 with 35.69%, a 147 vote difference. In 2003 Parker re-offered and was re-elected with 44.05% of the vote, a difference of 880 votes. He held the seat again in 2006, with 54.89%, increasing his lead to 1,589 votes.
Parker has served as the New Democratic Caucus' critic
Shadow Cabinet
The Shadow Cabinet is a senior group of opposition spokespeople in the Westminster system of government who together under the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition form an alternative cabinet to the government's, whose members shadow or mark each individual member of the government...
for Natural Resources. He has also been Chair
Chair (official)
The chairman is the highest officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office is typically elected or appointed by the members of the group. The chairman presides over meetings of the assembled group and conducts its business in an...
of the Standing Committee on Private and Local Bills and sits on the Legislature's Human Resources Committee.
After being re-elected in the 2009 election, Parker was elected Speaker of the House of Assembly. He resigned this post in January 2011 after being offered a cabinet position, assuming responsibility for both Natural Resources and Energy.