Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
Essentials Men's Regular-Fit Shirt Buy Now
Women's Capri Pajama Sets Buy Now
High-Waisted Workout Leggings Buy Now
Michael Kors Oversized Runway Watch Buy Now
Men's Straight-Fit Jean Buy Now
GoPro Fusion CHDHZ-103-FW 360 Buy Now
Smart Watch for Men (Answer/Make Calls) Buy Now
Outdoor Casual Vintage Long Sleeve Shirt Jacket Buy Now
COOFANDY Men's Linen Shirt Buy Now
Women's Crochet Summer Top Buy Now
Rihero Women's Leather Sandals Buy Now
Levi's Women's Mid Length Shorts Buy Now
Jerzees Dri-Power Tees Buy Now
Wedge Sandals Buy Now
Dream Coat Anti-Humidity Spray Buy Now
Northwest Batman Cloud Pillow Buy Now
Carhartt Beanie Buy Now
Weatherproof Vintage Men's Jeans Buy Now
Oxford Shirt Buy Now
ETRONIK Gym & Travel Bag Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
Alexa McDonough, former NDP leader and trailblazer for women in politics, has died

Alexa McDonough, former NDP leader and trailblazer for women in politics, has died

CBC
Saturday, January 15, 2022 2:08 PM GMT

Alexa McDonough, whose leadership of the Nova Scotia NDP in 1980 made her the first woman to lead a major political party in Canada, has died at the age of 77. 

McDonough, who also became the leader of the federal New Democratic Party in 1995, died at a care home in Halifax on Saturday after a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer's disease, her family said.

Known affectionately as simply Alexa, McDonough changed the face of politics in Canada and paved the way for other women to take their places at the pinnacles of political power. She was an inspiration to generations of New Democrats even after her retirement from politics 14 years ago.

The one-time social worker's passion for social justice carried her first to the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia, where she helped craft the party's social policy platform in the 1970 provincial election. But by 1974, disenchanted with the government of then-premier Gerald Regan, she found a new home in the NDP and never left.

McDonough never shied away from a challenge, failing twice to win a seat in the House of Commons before launching a bid for the leadership of the Nova Scotia NDP in 1980. The fact she didn't have a seat in the provincial House of Assembly, nor much support in Cape Breton, home to her leadership rivals, did not hinder her efforts.

She handily beat the two to become the first woman in Canada to lead a major political party.

Nearly a year later, in the provincial general election, she won a seat in the district of Halifax Chebucto, the party's first win on mainland Nova Scotia. It was a stunning upset, particularly for the Liberal incumbent who had laughed off the possibility of a McDonough win on election day.

For the next three years, she was a party of one and the only woman at Province House, home to Nova Scotia's legislative assembly.

The NDP didn't meet the two-seat threshold to trigger extra public funding or earn recognized party status, so McDonough had no time to savour her first political victory. She had to carry on the fight of holding the PC government of John Buchanan accountable with a skeleton staff and on a shoestring budget.

Although a lone voice during her first three years in the legislature, McDonough was steadfast in her criticism of the "old boys club," patronage and the way members of the House conducted themselves. She said she was subjected to sexist and misogynistic personal attacks as a result.

MLAs gave so little thought or consideration to women representatives that there wasn't even a separate washroom available for female MLAs at Province House. McDonough had to line up to use the public washroom one floor below the chamber while her male colleagues had access to a washroom just steps from their seats.

Although she enjoyed personal popularity, McDonough was not able to lead the party past the three-seat high-water mark it achieved in 1984 and again in the 1993 election. On Nov. 19, 1994, she resigned as leader with no definitive plans for her future.

"It's very, very important to me that you understand I do it with total joy, and with no sense of regret whatsoever," she told supporters the day she announced her decision.

John Holm, her caucus colleague who would take over as leader, paid tribute to her at a party event later that year: "I have, over the years, grown to not only love and respect Alexa, but to admire her tremendous courage and integrity."

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
N.W.T. utilities board cuts NTPC salary increase, rejects some costs in rate application decision

The N.W.T.'s public utilities board has denied part of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation's (NTPC) request to increase rates, and directed it to cut planned increases to management salaries and benefits.

After deadly year on roads, Calgary explores using drones and VR for traffic safety

After reporting an 11-year high for collision fatalities last year, Calgary is turning to new technology in an attempt to make its roads safer.

No new fireworks bylaw in Cambridge for now as council opts to wait for more information

There will be no changes to Cambridge's fireworks bylaw — for now.

In rural Alaska, a village turns to solar and biomass energies to cut diesel and save money

Eric Huntington built his dream cabin nestled in the wilderness of central Alaska, eventually raising two daughters there. But over the years, he learned that living in this quiet, remote village came with a hefty cost.

A Canada-Israel rift is widening over UN votes and sanctions

Israel's war with Iran has temporarily delayed a reckoning with some of its main Western allies, but seems unlikely to close what has become a yawning gap between them over its conduct in Gaza and the West Bank.

Grizzly bears, cougars, sheep and deer met without incident during G7, officials say

As the G7 summit concludes in the popular wilderness destination of Kananaskis, Alta., officials say provincial teams managed frequent animal encounters without serious incident.

Man, 21, charged with armed carjacking after fall from Gardiner Expressway, police say

Toronto police say a 21-year-old man has been charged in an armed carjacking, after he fell from the Gardiner Expressway on Monday night while allegedly fleeing from officers.

A fugitive landlord is at large. Where does that leave dozens of his Ontario tenants?

Tenants of buildings owned by a wanted fugitive could be safe from eviction if the bank or a new landlord take over, a legal expert says. 

Badger residents flee as wildfire approaches community, infrastructure

Residents of Badger, N.L. are fleeing the community as smoke from a nearby wildfire clouds the air, and waterbombers pass overhead every few minutes.

Adam Drake guilty of murder in fatal stabbing of battle rapper Pat Stay

A Nova Scotia jury has found a 34-year-old man guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of battle rapper Pat Stay, a 36-year-old father of two who was fatally stabbed 2½ years ago at a downtown Halifax nightclub.

Saint Andrews property owners speak out against wharf refurbishment plan

Some property owners in Saint Andrews are speaking out against a plan to refurbish the Market Wharf, although the design was chosen by the public in a community vote.

Family wants justice after lone survivor of 2023 West Broadway mass shooting dies in hospital

The lone survivor of a mass shooting in a West Broadway rooming house is being mourned by his family after he died in a Winnipeg hospital earlier this month, more than a year and a half after the shooting that left four others dead.

Still waiting: Handful of Sask. communities remain under evacuation orders

The mayor of Creighton says residents will have to remain patient, as the northeastern Saskatchewan town waits for health-care services to restart in the neighbouring city of Flin Flon, Man.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Extreme heat in store for Toronto with temperatures that may prompt warning

Toronto residents should brace for a stretch of very hot weather early next week.

Island EMS unveils new base in O'Leary, keeping paramedic services in the community

A new base for paramedics in the western P.E.I. community of O'Leary has finally risen from the ashes after an electrical fire claimed the original building nearly two years ago. 

City of Yellowknife looks to rezone popular Willow Flats green space for housing

Yellowknife resident Kim Harrower is a regular at the city's Willow Flats area, where she walks and listens to the birds in the morning. She says the wetland area there is good bird habitat, and it brings the community together. 

Nearly half of national public pension plan is invested in U.S. — and only 12% in Canada

As a former top Finance Department official, Susan Peterson played a key role years ago in creating the stable Canada Pension Plan that we see today. But even she was surprised by the numbers.

Tunnel connecting UP Express to TTC's Dundas West station under construction after long delay

Metrolinx has begun construction on a pedestrian tunnel linking UP Express Bloor Station to the nearby Dundas West subway station, nearly a decade after it was announced.

No decision about us, without us, say forestry companies

Three New Brunswick timber companies are seeking to have their forestry lands excluded from the Wolastoqey Nation's Indigenous title claim that's working its way through the courts.

Return of Tataskweyak wildfire evacuees on hold for at least a week due to water treatment issues

It could be at least another week before wildfire evacuees from a northern Manitoba First Nation are able to go home, leadership says.

Sask. to extend life of all coal-fired power plants despite federal clean electricity regulations

The Saskatchewan government has informed Crown employees it will extend the life of all its coal-fired power plants, setting up a potential legal battle with the federal government over environmental regulations.

B.C. pulls funding on $1M drug for 9-year-old Vancouver Island girl with rare condition

The B.C. government said Wednesday it will be pulling funding for an extremely expensive drug used by one person in the province — a young Vancouver Island girl. 

Proposed wage hikes have 'uplifted' P.E.I.'s health support services workers, says union

After two years of negotiations, Health P.E.I. has reached an agreement on wages for support services staff that the union representing the workers is calling "historic." 

Canadians desperate to hear from families in Iran as violence escalates and routes out are limited

Iranian-Canadians are trying desperately to get in touch with friends and family in Iran as missiles fall and routes out of the country are limited. 

Doug Ford says he treats First Nations 'like gold' but they 'keep coming hat in hand'

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is willing to give First Nations what they want for their support in developing mines, but they cannot "keep coming hat in hand all the time to the government" for more money.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us