Denise Peterson-Rafuse

Denise J. Peterson-Rafuse is a Canadian politician, who represented the electoral district of Chester-St. Margaret's in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 2009 to 2017 as a member of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party.[1]

Not to be confused with Denis Peterson.

The Honourable
Denise Peterson-Rafuse
Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
for Chester-St. Margaret's
In office
June 9, 2009 – May 30, 2017
Preceded byJudy Streatch
Succeeded byHugh MacKay
Minister of Community Services
In office
June 19, 2009 – October 22, 2013
Preceded byChris d'Entremont
Succeeded byJoanne Bernard
Minister for Seniors
In office
June 19, 2009 – October 22, 2013
Preceded byLen Goucher
Succeeded byLeo Glavine
Personal details
Political partyNew Democrat

Early life and education

Peterson-Rafuse earned a Bachelor of Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University in 1986.[2] She worked for the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.[3]

Political career

In 2009, Peterson-Rafuse successfully ran for the New Democratic Party nomination in the riding of Chester-St. Margaret's. She was elected in the 2009 provincial election[4] and was re-elected in the 2013 provincial election.[5]

On June 19, 2009, Peterson-Rafuse was appointed to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia as Minister of Community Services, Minister responsible for Seniors and the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, and chair of the Senior Citizens' Secretariat.[6]

In March 2016, Peterson-Rafuse was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.[7] On April 6, 2016, Peterson-Rafuse announced that she would be taking a leave of absence to deal with her diagnosis.[8]

In the 2017 election, Peterson-Rafuse was defeated by Liberal Hugh MacKay.[9]

For the 2021 election, Peterson-Rafuse endorsed the Progressive Conservatives for their proposed health care plan, citing her prior diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and the difficulties in finding adequate support.[10][11]

Electoral record
2017 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes%±%
LiberalHugh MacKay3,11235.46+4.40
New DemocraticDenise Peterson-Rafuse3,02134.42-0.82
Progressive ConservativeJulie Chaisson2,23025.41-8.29
GreenHarry Ward4134.71N/A
2013 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  New Democratic Party Denise Peterson-Rafuse 3341 35.25
  Progressive Conservative Janet Elizabeth Irwin 3193 33.69
  Liberal Timothy Whitman Harris 2943 31.06
2009 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  New Democratic Party Denise Peterson-Rafuse 4835 48.09
  Progressive Conservative Judy Streatch 2762 27.47
  Liberal Jo-Ann Grant 2122 21.11
GreenRyan Cameron3353.33–

References
  1. "Nova Scotia Legislature". Nova Scotia Legislature. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  2. "Folia Montana" (PDF). msvu.ca. Mount Saint Vincent University. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  3. Bower, Evan (May 17, 2017). "Chester–St. Margaret's candidates". lighthousenow.ca. Lighthouse Now. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  4. "'Perfect storm' boosts NDP support outside HRM". Metro. June 10, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  5. "Rafuse one of few NDP to keep seat". The Chronicle Herald. October 9, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  6. "Atlantic Canada's 1st NDP government takes office in Nova Scotia". CBC News. June 19, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  7. "MLA Denise Peterson-Rafuse says MS diagnosis has provided insight". CBC News. July 11, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  8. "N.S. MLA taking time off work after MS diagnosis". CTV News. April 6, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  9. "Liberal Hugh MacKay defeats NDP Denise Peterson-Rafuse in Chester-St. Margaret's". Global News. May 31, 2017. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  10. Edwards, Danielle (August 13, 2021). "N.S. Tory leader leans left with endorsement from former NDP cabinet minister". CTV News Atlantic. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  11. Gorman, Michael. "Former NDP cabinet minister says Tories the best bet to defeat Liberals". CBC News. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
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