Kings—Hants

Kings—Hants is situated in the heart of the Annapolis Valley and extends into central Nova Scotia, encompassing all of Hants County and the eastern portion of Kings County. Major communities include Windsor, Wolfville, Kentville, Hantsport, Elmsdale, Enfield, and Lantz. The riding had a population of approximately 97,000 in the 2021 census.

Candidates

Kody Blois (Liberal) was the incumbent, first elected in 2019 at age 28. Born and raised in Belnan, Hants County, in a working-class household, Blois was the first member of his family to attend university. He earned degrees in commerce, law, and public administration from Saint Mary’s University and practised as a young lawyer before entering politics. A former ice hockey player who was a draft pick of the Halifax Mooseheads, Blois was active in community development, co-founding the East Hants Sport Heritage Society and the Tidefest music festival.

Mark Parent (Conservative) grew up in Bolivia and returned to Canada with his adoptive parents at age 17. He holds a PhD and served in academic positions at Mount Saint Vincent University and Mount Allison University. Parent was first elected as a Progressive Conservative MLA in Kings North in 1999 and was re-elected in 2003 and 2006, serving as a provincial cabinet minister in the Agriculture, Environment, and Labour portfolios. As Environment Minister, he was instrumental in passing the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act, one of the first Canadian laws to link environmental protection with economic growth.

Stephen Schneider (NDP) had lived in the Annapolis Valley since 2003 and resided in Wolfville. A criminology professor at Saint Mary’s University, Schneider’s research focused on crime prevention, organized crime, and community development. He authored five books and consulted extensively with the federal government. He designed and implemented SMU PALS, a social developmental program for at-risk children, and spearheaded a tutoring and mentoring project for African-Nova Scotian youth. This was his second consecutive federal campaign in the riding.

Steven Ford (PPC) ran for the People’s Party of Canada.

Sheila G. Richardson (Green Party) represented the Green Party.

About the Riding

Kings—Hants is defined by the agricultural richness of the Annapolis Valley and the suburban growth of the Halifax commuter belt in East Hants. The Valley is the agricultural heartland of Nova Scotia, home to over 600 farms producing apples, grapes, berries, and vegetables. The region’s wine industry has expanded significantly, with vineyards and wineries contributing to a growing agritourism sector.

Kentville (population approximately 6,600) serves as the administrative centre of Kings County and hosts the federal Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Centre. Wolfville (population roughly 4,300) is home to Acadia University, one of the riding’s most important employers and a contributor to local arts and culture. The Halifax commuter communities of Elmsdale and Enfield in East Hants have experienced rapid population growth, driven by their proximity to Halifax Stanfield International Airport and relatively lower housing costs compared to the city.

Windsor, at the confluence of the Avon and St. Croix rivers, has historical significance as the birthplace of hockey (by some accounts) and is the gateway to the Annapolis Valley. The riding has a notable Baptist heritage, with the second-largest Baptist population in Nova Scotia.

In 2021, housing affordability was a growing concern as the real estate market heated up across the province. Agricultural support, including supply management and disaster relief, and rural broadband access were important issues. The riding’s proximity to CFB Greenwood in neighbouring West Nova means that military and veterans’ issues also resonate with parts of the population.