List of Nova Scotia by-elections explained

The list of Nova Scotia by-elections includes every by-election held in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. By-elections occur whenever there is a vacancy in the House of Assembly, although an imminent general election may allow the vacancy to remain until the dissolution of parliament. Between 1840 and 1927 incumbent members were required to recontest their seats upon being appointed to Cabinet. These Ministerial by-elections were almost always uncontested.

64th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 2021–present

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Pictou West	May 21, 2024	Karla MacFarlane			Progressive Conservative	Marco MacLeod			Progressive Conservative	Resignation	Yes
Preston	August 8, 2023	Angela Simmonds			Liberal	Twila Grosse			Progressive Conservative	Resignation	No

63rd General Assembly of Nova Scotia 2017–2021

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Cape Breton Centre	March 10, 2020	Tammy Martin			New Democratic	Kendra Coombes			New Democratic	Resigned due to ongoing health issues.	Yes
Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River		Lenore Zann			New Democratic	Dave Ritcey			Progressive Conservative	Resigned to run federally in Cumberland-Colchester as a Liberal; elected. Completed final months as an independent MHA.	No
Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg	September 3, 2019	Alfie MacLeod			Progressive Conservative	Brian Comer			Progressive Conservative	Resigned to run federally in Cape Breton—Canso; defeated.	Yes
Northside-Westmount		Eddie Orrell			Progressive Conservative	Murray Ryan			Progressive Conservative	Resigned to run federally in Sydney—Victoria; defeated.	Yes
Argyle-Barrington		Chris d'Entremont			Progressive Conservative	Colton LeBlanc			Progressive Conservative	Resigned to run federally in West Nova; elected.	Yes
Sackville-Cobequid	June 18, 2019	Dave Wilson			New Democratic	Steve Craig			Progressive Conservative	Resignation	No
Cumberland South	June 19, 2018	Jamie Baillie			Progressive Conservative	Tory Rushton			Progressive Conservative	Resigned amid an allegation of harassment.	Yes

62nd General Assembly of Nova Scotia 2013–2017

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Halifax Needham	August 30, 2016	Maureen MacDonald			New Democratic	Lisa Roberts			New Democratic	Resignation	Yes
Sydney-Whitney Pier	July 14, 2015	Gordie Gosse			New Democratic	Derek Mombourquette			Liberal	Resignation	No
Dartmouth South		Allan Rowe			Liberal	Marian Mancini			New Democratic	Death	No
Cape Breton Centre		Frank Corbett			New Democratic	David Wilton			Liberal	Resignation	No

61st General Assembly of Nova Scotia 2009–2013

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Cape Breton North	June 21, 2011	Cecil Clarke			Progressive Conservative	Eddie Orrell			Progressive Conservative	Resignation to contest the 2011 Federal Election	Yes
Cumberland South	October 26, 2010	Murray Scott			Progressive Conservative	Jamie Baillie			Progressive Conservative	Resignation	Yes
Yarmouth	June 22, 2010	Richard Hurlburt			Progressive Conservative	Zach Churchill			Liberal	Resignation due to a constituency expense scandal	No
Glace Bay		David Wilson			Liberal	Geoff MacLellan			Liberal	Resignation	Yes
Inverness	October 20, 2009	Rodney MacDonald			Progressive Conservative	Allan MacMaster			Progressive Conservative	Resignation	Yes
Antigonish		Angus MacIsaac			Progressive Conservative	Maurice Smith			New Democratic	Resignation	No

58th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1999–2003

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Halifax Fairview	March 6, 2001	Eileen O'Connell			New Democratic	Graham Steele			New Democratic	Death	Yes
Cape Breton North		Russell MacLellan			Liberal	Cecil Clarke			Progressive Conservative	Resignation	No
Cape Breton East	April 4, 2000	David Wilson			Liberal	David Wilson			Liberal	Void Election	Yes

57th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1998–1999

no by-elections

56th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1993–1998

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Halifax Citadel	November 4, 1997	Terry Donahoe			Progressive Conservative	Ed Kinley			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1997 Federal Election	No
Cumberland North		Ross Bragg			Liberal	Ernie Fage			Progressive Conservative	Death	No
Cape Breton The Lakes		Bernie Boudreau			Liberal	Helen MacDonald			New Democratic	Resignation	No
Cape Breton North		Ron Stewart			Liberal	Russell MacLellan			Liberal	Resignation	Yes
Halifax Fairview	June 4, 1996	Alexa McDonough			New Democratic	Eileen O'Connell			New Democratic	Resignation upon election as Leader of the Federal NDP	Yes
Cape Breton West	October 10, 1995	Russell MacKinnon			Liberal	Alfie MacLeod			Progressive Conservative	Resignation to enter municipal politics	No
Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley	November 2, 1993	Ken Streatch			Progressive Conservative	Brooke Taylor			Progressive Conservative	Resignation to contest the 1993 Federal Election	Yes
Pictou East	August 3, 1993	Donald W. Cameron			Progressive Conservative	Wayne Fraser			Liberal	Resignation	No

55th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1988–1993

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Halifax Atlantic	August 27, 1991	John Buchanan			Progressive Conservative	Robert Chisholm			New Democratic	Appointed to the Senate	No
Cape Breton Centre	August 28, 1990	Russell MacNeil			Liberal	Russell MacNeil			Liberal	Void Election	Yes
Cape Breton Centre	August 22, 1989	Wayne Connors			Liberal	Russell MacNeil			Liberal	Resignation	Yes

53rd General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1981–1984

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Lunenburg Centre	June 5, 1984	Bruce Cochran			Progressive Conservative	Maxine Cochran			Progressive Conservative	Death	Yes
Kings South	February 12, 1984	Harry How			Progressive Conservative	Paul Kinsman			Progressive Conservative	Resignation	Yes
Cape Breton The Lakes	February 22, 1983	Ossie Fraser			Liberal	John Newell			Progressive Conservative	Death	No

52nd General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1978–1981

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Cape Breton East	December 2, 1980	Jeremy Akerman			New Democratic	Donnie MacLeod			Progressive Conservative	Resignation to become Executive Director of Intergovernmental Affairs	No
Victoria	May 6, 1980	Peter John Nicholson			Liberal	Fisher Hudson			Progressive Conservative	Resignation	No
Richmond		Gaston T. LeBlanc			Liberal	John E. LeBrun			Liberal	Death	Yes
Halifax Needham		Gerald Regan			Liberal	Edmund L. Morris			Progressive Conservative	Resignation to contest the 1980 Federal Election	No

51st General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1974–1978

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Pictou Centre	September 6, 1977	Fraser MacLean			Progressive Conservative	Jack MacIsaac			Progressive Conservative	Resignation	Yes
Cape Breton West	September 7, 1976	Allan Sullivan			Liberal	Ossie Fraser			Liberal	Appointed a judge	Yes

50th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1970–1974

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Guysborough	June 5, 1973	Angus MacIsaac			Progressive Conservative	Sandy Cameron			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1972 Federal Election	No
Queens	November 16, 1971	W. S. Kennedy Jones			Progressive Conservative	Floyd MacDonald			Progressive Conservative	Resignation	Yes
Kings West		Gordon Tidman			Progressive Conservative	Frank Bezanson			Liberal	Void Election	No

49th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1967–1970

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Halifax Eastern Shore	February 11, 1969	Duncan MacMillan			Liberal	Alexander Garnet Brown			Liberal	Death	Yes
Guysborough	February 11, 1969	Alexander MacIsaac			Progressive Conservative	Angus MacIsaac			Progressive Conservative	Death	Yes
Dartmouth North	November 26, 1968	Gordon L. S. Hart			Liberal	Gerald G. Wambolt			Progressive Conservative	Appointed a judge	No
Cumberland Centre		Stephen T. Pyke			Progressive Conservative	Raymond M. Smith			Progressive Conservative	Resignation	Yes
Colchester	February 13, 1968	Robert Stanfield			Progressive Conservative	Gerald Ritcey			Progressive Conservative	Resignation upon election as Leader of the federal Progressive Conservatives	Yes

48th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1963–1967

no by-elections

47th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1960–1963

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Inverness	September 11, 1962	Roderick MacLean			Liberal	William N. MacLean			Liberal	Death	Yes
Hants East		Ernest M. Ettinger			Progressive Conservative	Albert J. Ettinger			Progressive Conservative	Death	Yes

45th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1953–1956

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Inverness	November 14, 1954	Alexander H. McKinnon			Liberal	Joseph Clyde Nunn			Liberal	Appointed a judge	Yes
Hants East		Alfred E. Reid			Liberal	Alfred E. Reid			Liberal	Void Election	Yes
Halifax South		Angus Lewis Macdonald			Liberal	Richard Donahoe			Progressive Conservative	Death	No

44th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1949–1953

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Hants West	November 27, 1950	George B. Cole			Liberal	George Henry Wilson			Progressive Conservative	Void Election	No
Richmond	December 20, 1949	Lauchlin Daniel Currie			Liberal	Earl Wallace Urquhart			Liberal	Appointed a judge	Yes

43rd General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1945–1949

no by-elections

42nd General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1941–1945

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Antigonish	October 19, 1942	John A. MacIsaac			Liberal	John P. Gorman			Liberal	Death	Yes
Richmond	December 15, 1941†	Donald David Boyd			Liberal	Lauchlin Daniel Currie			Liberal	Appointed to the Department of Mines and Labour	Yes

† Won by acclamation

41st General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1937–1941

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Inverness	October 28, 1940†	Moses Elijah McGarry			Liberal	Alexander H. McKinnon			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1940 Federal Election	Yes
Halifax West	October 28, 1940†	George E. Hagen			Liberal	George E. Hagen			Liberal	Resigned seat intending to retire but decided to run again	Yes
Halifax South	October 28, 1940†	Angus Lewis Macdonald			Liberal	Joseph R. Murphy			Liberal	Appointed to the federal cabinet	Yes
Cumberland	October 28, 1940†	Percy Chapman Black			Conservative	Leonard William Fraser			Conservative	Resignation to contest the 1940 Federal Election	Yes
Colchester	October 28, 1940†	George Y. Thomas			Conservative	George Scott Dickey			Conservative	Death	Yes
Halifax Centre	December 5, 1939†	William Duff Forrest			Liberal	James Edward Rutledge			Liberal	Death	Yes
Cape Breton Centre	December 5, 1939	Michael Dwyer			Liberal	Douglas MacDonald			Cooperative Commonwealth	Resignation to become President and General Manager of the Nova Scotia Steel and Coal Company	No
Yarmouth	November 29, 1938†	Lindsay C. Gardner			Liberal	Henry A. Waterman			Liberal	Death	Yes

† Won by acclamation

38th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1925–1928

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Queens	August 30, 1926†	William Lorimer Hall			Conservative	William Lorimer Hall			Conservative	Sought re-election upon appointment as Attorney General	Yes
Richmond and Cape Breton West	February 24, 1926†	John Alexander Macdonald			Conservative	John Angus Stewart			Conservative	Resignation to contest the 1925 Federal Election	Yes
Hants	August 1, 1925†	Edgar Nelson Rhodes			Conservative	Edgar Nelson Rhodes			Conservative	Sought re-election upon appointment as Premier and Provincial Secretary	Yes
Halifax	August 1, 1925†	John Archibald Walker			Conservative	John Archibald Walker			Conservative	Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Natural Resources and Provincial Development	Yes
Cumberland	August 1, 1925†	Percy Chapman Black			Conservative	Percy Chapman Black			Conservative	Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Highways	Yes
Cape Breton East	August 1, 1925†	John Carey Douglas			Conservative	John Carey Douglas			Conservative	Sought re-election upon appointment as Attorney General	Yes
Cape Breton Centre	August 1, 1925†	Gordon Sidney Harrington			Conservative	Gordon Sidney Harrington			Conservative	Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Public Works and Mines	Yes

† Won by acclamation

37th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1920–1925

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Victoria	March 1, 1923†	George Henry Murray			Liberal	Daniel Alexander Cameron			Liberal	Resignation	Yes
Kings	January 16, 1923†	Harry H. Wickwire			Liberal	James Sealy			Liberal	Death	Yes
Halifax	January 16, 1923†	Robert Emmett Finn			Liberal	Walter Joseph O'Hearn			Liberal	Resignation to contest a federal by-election	Yes
Antigonish	January 16, 1923†	William Chisholm			Liberal	William Chisholm			Liberal	Sought re-election upon appointment as Minister of Highways	Yes
Shelburne	September 2, 1920	Frank E. Smith			Liberal	Ernest Howard Armstrong			Liberal	Resignation to provide a seat for Armstrong	Yes

† Won by acclamation

36th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1916–1920

† Won by acclamation

35th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1911–1916

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Victoria	February 14, 1914	Angus A. Buchanan			Liberal	Phillip McLeod			Conservative	Death (Results voided November 17, 1914. No by-election held)	No
Antigonish	January 16, 1913	Edward Lavin Girroir			Conservative	John Stanfield O'Brien			Conservative	Appointed to the Senate	Yes
Lunenburg	November 15, 1911	Alexander Kenneth Maclean			Liberal	Alfred Clairmonte Zwicker			Conservative	Resignation to contest the 1911 Federal Election	No
Digby	November 15, 1911	Allen Ellsworth Wall			Liberal	Harry Hatheway Marshall			Conservative	Resignation to contest the 1911 Federal Election	No
Annapolis	November 8, 1911†	Orlando Daniels			Liberal	Orlando Daniels			Liberal	Sought re-election upon appointment as Attorney General	Yes
Yarmouth	August 16, 1911	Ernest Howard Armstrong			Liberal	Ernest Howard Armstrong			Liberal	Sought re-election upon appointment as Commissioner of Public Works and Mines	Yes

† Won by acclamation

34th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1906–1911

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Kings	January 31, 1911†	Brenton Dodge			Liberal	Harry H. Wickwire			Liberal	Death	Yes
Digby	November 15, 1910	Angus Morrison Gidney			Liberal	Allen Ellsworth Wall			Liberal	Appointed Collector of Customs	Yes
Queens	February 16, 1910	Edward Matthew Farrell			Liberal	William Lorimer Hall			Conservative	Appointed to the Senate	No
Lunenburg	November 24, 1909	Henry March			Liberal	Alexander Kenneth Maclean			Liberal	Resignation	Yes
Hants	November 24, 1909	Charles Smith Wilcox			Conservative	Albert Parsons			Conservative	Death	Yes
Cumberland	November 24, 1909	William Thomas Pipes			Liberal	Joshua H. Livingston			Liberal	Death	Yes
Victoria	November 17, 1909†	John Gillis Morrison			Liberal	Angus A. Buchanan			Liberal	Resignation	Yes
Pictou	February 16, 1909	Charles Elliott Tanner			Conservative	Robert Hugh MacKay			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1908 Federal Election	No
Hants	July 17, 1907	Arthur Drysdale			Liberal	James O'Brien			Liberal	Appointed a judge	Yes
Antigonish	April 9, 1907†	Christopher P. Chisholm			Liberal	Christopher P. Chisholm			Liberal	Sought re-election upon appointment as Commissioner of Public Works and Mines	Yes
Digby	February 19, 1907†	Ambrose H. Comeau			Liberal	Joseph Willie Comeau			Liberal	Appointed to the Senate	Yes

† Won by acclamation

33rd General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1901–1906

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Annapolis	March 6, 1906	James Wilberforce Longley			Liberal	Orlando Daniels			Liberal	Appointed a judge	Yes
Richmond	December 15, 1904	Duncan Finlayson			Liberal	Charles P. Bissett			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1904 Federal Election	Yes
Pictou	December 15, 1904	Edward Mortimer Macdonald			Liberal	Robert M. McGregor			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1904 Federal Election	Yes
Cumberland	December 15, 1904	Thomas Reuben Black			Liberal	Elisha B. Paul			Liberal	Appointed to the Senate	Yes
Colchester	December 15, 1904	Frederick Andrew Laurence			Liberal	Henry T. Laurence			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1904 Federal Election	Yes
Cape Breton	December 15, 1904	Daniel Duncan McKenzie			Liberal	Arthur Samuel Kendall			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1904 Federal Election	Yes
Lunenburg	December 8, 1904†	Alexander Kenneth Maclean			Liberal	Charles Uniacke Mader			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1904 Federal Election	Yes
Guysborough	December 8, 1904†	John Howard Sinclair			Liberal	James F. Ellis			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1904 Federal Election	Yes
Shelburne	January 12, 1904	Thomas Johnston			Liberal	George A. Cox			Liberal	Death	Yes
Yarmouth	January 5, 1904†	Augustus Stoneman			Liberal	George P. Sanderson			Liberal	Resignation to be appointed to the Legislative Council	Yes
Antigonish	January 22, 1903†	Angus McGillivray			Liberal	Fred Robert Trotter			Liberal	Appointed a judge	Yes
Shelburne	December 10, 1902	Thomas Robertson			Liberal	Moses H. Nickerson			Liberal	Death	Yes
Lunenburg	December 3, 1902†	Edward Doran Davison			Liberal	John Drew Sperry			Liberal	Death	Yes

† Won by acclamation

32nd General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1897–1901

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Halifax	December 12, 1900	William Bernard Wallace			Liberal	Michael Edwin Keefe			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1900 Federal Election	Yes
Cape Breton	December 12, 1900	Arthur Samuel Kendall			Liberal	Neil J. Gillis			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1900 Federal Election	Yes
		Alexander Johnston			Liberal	Daniel Duncan McKenzie			Liberal		Yes
Pictou	December 5, 1900†	Edward Mortimer Macdonald			Liberal	Edward Mortimer Macdonald			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1900 Federal Election	Yes
		J.D. McGregor			Liberal	Charles Elliott Tanner			Conservative		No
Yarmouth	May 15, 1900†	William Law			Liberal	Augustus Stoneman			Liberal	Appointed to the Legislative Council	Yes

† Won by acclamation

31st General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1894–1897

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Victoria	August 15, 1896†	John Lemuel Bethune			Conservative	George Henry Murray			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1896 Federal Election	No
Queens	August 15, 1896†	Albert M. Hemeon			Liberal	Edward Matthew Farrell			Liberal	Death	Yes
Lunenburg	August 15, 1896	John Drew Sperry			Liberal	Allan Moreash			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1896 Federal Election	Yes
Halifax	August 15, 1896†	William Stevens Fielding			Liberal	William Bernard Wallace			Liberal	Resignation to contest a federal by-election	Yes
Colchester	August 15, 1896	Wilbert David Dimock			Conservative	Firman McClure			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1896 Federal Election	No
Annapolis	August 15, 1896†	James Wilberforce Longley			Liberal	James Wilberforce Longley			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1896 Federal Election	Yes
Digby	September 28, 1895	Eliakim Tupper			Liberal	Angus Morrison Gidney			Liberal	Death	Yes
Antigonish	June 13, 1895	Colin Francis McIsaac			Liberal	Angus McGillivray			Liberal	Resignation to contest a federal by-election	Yes
Colchester	January 30, 1895†	Wilbert David Dimock			Conservative	Wilbert David Dimock			Conservative	Resignation to recontest due to election petition	Yes
Richmond	December 27, 1894	John Morrison			Conservative	Joseph Matheson			Liberal	Void Election	No

† Won by acclamation

30th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1890–1894

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Annapolis	June 8, 1892	Henry H. Chute			Liberal	Henry M. Munro			Liberal	Death	Yes
Hants	March 5, 1891	Allen Haley			Liberal	Arthur Drysdale			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1891 Federal Election	Yes
Cape Breton	March 5, 1891	Joseph McPherson			Liberal	Joseph McPherson			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1891 Federal Election	Yes
Antigonish	March 5, 1891	Angus McGillivray			Liberal	Christopher P. Chisholm			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1891 Federal Election	Yes
Yarmouth	December 11, 1890	Albert Gayton			Liberal	Forman Hatfield			Liberal	Appointed Registrar of Deeds	Yes

29th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1886–1890

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Lunenburg	January 16, 1889†	George A. Ross			Liberal	John Drew Sperry			Liberal	Death	Yes
Digby	October 25, 1887	Henri M. Robicheau			Liberal	Henri M. Robicheau			Liberal	Resignation to contest a federal by-election	Yes
Queens	March 8, 1887	Jason M. Mack			Liberal	Albert M. Hemeon			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1887 Federal Election	Yes
Pictou	March 8, 1887†	Adam Carr Bell			Conservative	William Cameron			Conservative	Resignation to contest the 1887 Federal Election	Yes
Antigonish	March 8, 1887†	Angus McGillivray			Liberal	Angus McGillivray			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1887 Federal Election	Yes

† Won by acclamation

28th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1882–1886

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Halifax	August 20, 1884	William Stevens Fielding			Liberal	William Stevens Fielding			Liberal	Sought re-election upon appointment as Premier and Provincial Secretary	Yes
Cumberland	July 2, 1884†	Charles James Townshend			Conservative	Thomas Reuben Black			Liberal	Resignation to contest a federal by-election	No
Inverness	January 11, 1883	Duncan J. Campbell			Liberal	Angus MacLennan			Conservative	Death	No
Cape Breton	August 29, 1882	Alonza J. White			Liberal	Alonza J. White			Liberal	Sought re-election upon appointment as Attorney General	Yes
Antigonish	August 29, 1882	John Sparrow David Thompson			Conservative	Charles B. Whidden			Conservative	Appointed a judge	Yes
Yarmouth	August 22, 1882†	Albert Gayton			Liberal	Albert Gayton			Liberal	Sought re-election upon appointment as Commissioner of Public Works and Mines	Yes
Lunenburg	August 22, 1882†	Charles Edward Church			Liberal	Charles Edward Church			Liberal	Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary	Yes

† Won by acclamation

27th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1878–1882

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Halifax	November 25, 1879	Charles James MacDonald			Conservative	John Fitzwilliam Stairs			Conservative	Appointed a Post Office Inspector	Yes
Pictou	November 11, 1878†	Simon Hugh Holmes			Conservative	Simon Hugh Holmes			Conservative	Sought re-election upon appointment as Premier and Provincial Secretary	Yes
Antigonish	November 11, 1878†	John Sparrow David Thompson			Conservative	John Sparrow David Thompson			Conservative	Sought re-election upon appointment as Attorney General	Yes

† Won by acclamation

26th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1874–1878

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Shelburne	March 1, 1878	Robert Robertson			Liberal	Nathaniel Whitworth White			Conservative	Resignation	No
Yarmouth	January 10, 1878†	Albert Gayton			Liberal	Albert Gayton			Liberal	Sought re-election upon appointment as Commissioner of Public Works and Mines	Yes
Antigonish	December 4, 1877	John J. McKinnon			Conservative	John Sparrow David Thompson			Conservative	Resignation	Yes
Lunenburg	September 27, 1876	Mather Byles DesBrisay			Liberal	Charles Henry Davison			Liberal	Appointed a judge	Yes
Guysborough	December 20, 1875	William Henry Wylde			Liberal	Otto Schwartz Weeks			Liberal	Resignation	Yes
Shelburne	January 21, 1875†	Robert Robertson			Liberal	Robert Robertson			Liberal	Sought re-election upon appointment as Commissioner of Public Works and Mines	Yes

† Won by acclamation

25th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1871–1874

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Hants	March 10, 1874	William McDougall			Conservative	Henry Yeomans			Liberal	Resignation	No
Cape Breton	March 10, 1874†	Alonza J. White			Liberal	Alonza J. White			Liberal	Sought re-election upon appointment as Commissioner of Crown Lands	Yes
Richmond	March 4, 1874	Edmund Power Flynn			Liberal	Charles Boudroit			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1874 Federal Election	Yes
Hants	March 4, 1874	William Henry Allison			Conservative	Thomas Barlow Smith			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1874 Federal Election	No
Guysborough	March 4, 1874	John Angus Kirk			Liberal	Charles M. Franchville			Liberal	Resignation to contest the 1874 Federal Election	Yes
Victoria	October 23, 1873	Charles James Campbell			Conservative	David McCurdy			Liberal	Appointed to the Legislative Council	No
Halifax	February 18, 1873	William Garvie			Liberal	John Taylor			Liberal	Death	Yes
Antigonish	February 11, 1873†	Daniel MacDonald			Liberal	Daniel MacDonald			Liberal	Sought re-election upon appointment as Commissioner of Public Works and Mines	Yes
Yarmouth	October 16, 1872	William H. Townsend			Liberal	John K. Ryerson			Liberal	Resignation	Yes
Pictou	October 16, 1872	James McDonald			Conservative	Alexander MacKay			Conservative	Resignation to contest the 1872 Federal Election	Yes
Inverness	October 16, 1872	Samuel McDonnell			Conservative	Duncan J. Campbell			Conservative	Resignation to contest the 1872 Federal Election	Yes

† Won by acclamation

24th General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1867–1871

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Guysborough	December 13, 1870	John Joseph Marshall			Anti-Confederate	William Henry Wylde			Anti-Confederate	Death	Yes
Halifax	November 17, 1870	Jeremiah Northup			Anti-Confederate	Philip Carteret Hill			Confederation Party	Appointed to the Senate (Results voided March 20, 1871. No by-election held.)	No
Inverness	October 22, 1868	Hiram Blanchard			Confederation Party	Hugh McDonald			Anti-Confederate	Void Election	No
Digby	December 12, 1867	William Berrian Vail			Anti-Confederate	William Berrian Vail			Anti-Confederate	Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary	Yes
Shelburne	December 5, 1867†	Robert Robertson			Anti-Confederate	Robert Robertson			Anti-Confederate	Sought re-election upon appointment as Commissioner of Public Works and Mines	Yes
Pictou	December 5, 1867†	Martin Isaac Wilkins			Anti-Confederate	Martin Isaac Wilkins			Anti-Confederate	Sought re-election upon appointment as Attorney General	Yes

† Won by acclamation

23rd General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1863–1867

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Yarmouth Township	January 16, 1866	George Stayley Brown			Liberal	William H. Townsend			Liberal	Resignation	Yes
Lunenburg	December 27, 1865	William Slocumb			Conservative	Abraham Hebb			Liberal	Death	No
Annapolis	January 12, 1865	James William Johnston			Conservative	William Hallett Ray			Liberal	Appointed Judge in Equity	No
Pictou East	December 12, 1864	James McDonald			Conservative	James McDonald			Conservative	Sought re-election upon appointment as Financial Secretary	Yes
Richmond	June 30, 1863	Isaac LeVesconte			Conservative	Isaac LeVesconte			Conservative	Sought re-election upon appointment as Financial Secretary	Yes
Cumberland	June 30, 1863	Charles Tupper			Conservative	Charles Tupper			Conservative	Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary	Yes
Antigonish	June 30, 1863	William Alexander Henry			Conservative	William Alexander Henry			Conservative	Sought re-election upon appointment as Solicitor General	Yes
Annapolis	June 30, 1863	James William Johnston			Conservative	James William Johnston			Conservative	Sought re-election upon appointment as Premier and Attorney General	Yes

22nd General Assembly of Nova Scotia 1859–1863

By-election	Date	Incumbent	Party		Winner	Party		Cause	Retained
Kings South	June 4, 1861	William Bennett Webster			Liberal	Daniel Charles Moore			Conservative	Death	No
Victoria	May 8, 1861	Charles James Campbell			Conservative	William Gammell			Liberal	By-election results voided	No
Cumberland	December 31, 1860	William Young			Liberal	Robert Donkin			Conservative	Appointed Chief Justice of Nova Scotia	No
Victoria	December 1860	Hugh Munro			Liberal	Charles James Campbell			Conservative	Appointed Chairman of the Board of Works	No
Hants South	March 9, 1860	Joseph Howe			Liberal	Joseph Howe			Liberal	Sought re-election upon appointment as Provincial Secretary	Yes
Halifax East	March 9, 1860	William Annand			Liberal	William Annand			Liberal	Sought re-election upon appointment as Financial Secretary	Yes
Colchester South	March 8, 1860	Adams George Archibald			Liberal	Adams George Archibald			Liberal	Sought re-election upon appointment as Attorney General	Yes

^[1]

Notes and References

1. There was no 21st General Assembly. According to the 1983 revised edition of The Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia 1758 -1983 : a biographical directory: