In Ontario she’s the Honourable Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services as well as Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues. Her duties also include the portfolios of immigration and anti-racism.
In Pictou County, she’s better known as “Danny’s daughter.”
And she’s perfectly fine with that.
The New Glasgow native was recently appointed to the cabinet of newly elected Ontario Premier Doug Ford and gives credit to her late father’s influence for helping create an interest in politics that puts her where she is today.
“I certainly caught the bug from my dad,” she said during a recent phone interview with The News.
Danny MacLeod was a longtime New Glasgow town councillor and a faithful party member of the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservatives. He is credited with helping secure electoral wins for the party and got his daughter involved in the political scene at a young age. Lisa MacLeod remembers, at 16, having the chance to nominate Dr. John Hamm, who would go on to become Premier.
Her father isn’t her only family tie to the political world. MacLeod is related to former Premier Donald Cameron and her grandfather and great uncles were heavily involved in the PC party as well.
Jack Kyte, executive director of the Pictou County Chamber of Commerce, was friends with Danny MacLeod and remembers how Lisa would have been introduced early to the political world. When she moved to Ontario, however, a lot of people in Pictou County lost track of her, he said.
“I think that it’s a success story that we need to celebrate. She’s done extremely well. As a native of Pictou County, we should be proud of her.”
Rising in the political world
After graduating with a degree in political science from St. Francis Xavier University, MacLeod left for Ontario, where she worked for an Ottawa city councillor.
She was first elected to the Ontario legislature in a 2006 by-election, at the time the youngest conservative woman to be elected in Ontario, federally or provincially. She was successful in four subsequent elections, including this year’s, where she garnered 45.2 per cent of the vote and won every poll in her Nepean-Carleton riding.
With the rise of Doug Ford, who led the PC party to a strong majority, taking 76 of 124 seats in the Legislative Assembly, MacLeod’s role changed dramatically.
“We’ve had 15 years of a scandal-plagued Liberal government,” she said. “I think people were looking for change.”
In many ways, she finds Ford is like her father in his ability to connect with people.
After spending 12 years in opposition, MacLeod said it was an honour to be chosen to manage so many portfolios.
“It’s very humbling to me to be part of this majority,” she said.
One of MacLeod’s top priorities is helping youth who are in foster care. She also wants to work to provide more support for women fleeing domestic violence. And as a minster for community service she wants “to make sure we’re able to transition people and get them back in the work force.”
It’s been 11 years since Danny MacLeod passed away, but she still remembers how, in the aftermath of his death, people would approach her and talk about the impact he had on their lives.
People told her that when they had no food, her father would show up with a load of groceries. For others, he would cover the cost of sports registration. Some, he even drove to games.
“He wasn’t a rich man, but he was always able to be creative and bring people together.”
MacLeod returns to Nova Scotia at the end of July for meetings and will be in Pictou County for her 25-year high school graduation anniversary. On Aug. 3, she’ll speak at an event hosted by the Pictou County Chamber of Commerce.
MacLeod said she’s looking forward to coming home.
“I think coming from a small town in rural Nova Scotia has served me well.”
Want to go?
WHAT: Business Breakfast with Lisa MacLeod, Ontario MPP
WHEN: Aug. 3, 7:30 – 9 a.m.
WHERE: Holiday Inn Express
COST: $15 for members, $20 for non-members
RSVP to the Pictou County Chamber of Commerce, 902-755-3463 by noon Aug. 1.