Derek Mombourquette

Derek Mombourquette (born 1980)^[1] is a Canadian politician who has served as interim leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party since December 10, 2024. He represents the riding of Sydney-Whitney Pier in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.

The Honourable Derek Mombourquette ECNS MLA
Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly for Sydney-Whitney Pier
Incumbent
Assumed office July 14, 2015
Preceded by	Gordie Gosse
Interim Leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party
Incumbent
Assumed office December 10, 2024
Preceded by	Zach Churchill
Personal details
Born	1980 (age 44–45) Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Political party	Liberal

Early life and education

Mombourquette was born and raised in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and graduated from Sydney Academy. He attended Cape Breton University, serving as both President and Vice-President of the student union. He also worked as a coordinator for Cape Breton University, and the Nova Scotia Community College.^[2][3]

Political career

Mombourquette served on the municipal council of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality from 2008 to 2012.^[4]

In 2013, Mombourquette ran for the Liberals in Sydney-Whitney Pier in the 2013 election, losing to incumbent MLA Gordie Gosse.^[4][5]

He was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in a by-election on July 14, 2015, for the riding of Sydney-Whitney Pier.^[6][7]

Mombourquette was re-elected in the 2017 election.^[8] On June 15, 2017, he was appointed to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia as Minister of Municipal Affairs.^[9] On July 5, 2018, Mombourquette was moved to Minister of Energy and Mines in a cabinet shuffle.^[10]

Mombourquette was re-elected in the 2021 election, however the Rankin Liberals lost government becoming the Official Opposition.^[11][12]

As of September 22, 2024, Mombourquette serves as the Official Opposition critic for Education and Early Childhood Development as well as for Community Services.

In the 2024 Nova Scotia general election, Mombourquette and Iain Rankin were the only Liberal candidates elected.^[13]

On December 10, 2024, Mombourquette was named interim leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.^[14][15]

Election record

v t e 2021 Nova Scotia general election: Sydney-Membertou
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Derek Mombourquette	4,561	54.27	+15.55
	New Democratic	Madonna Doucette	2,377	28.28	-8.75
	Progressive Conservative	Pauline Singer	1,467	17.45	-6.80
Total valid votes			8,405	99.44
Total rejected ballots			47	0.56
Turnout			8,452	52.66
Eligible voters			16,049
	Liberal hold		Swing		+12.15
Source: Elections Nova Scotia[16]

v t e 2017 Nova Scotia general election: Sydney-Whitney Pier
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Derek Mombourquette	3,656	38.72	-10.33
	New Democratic	Madonna Doucette	3,496	37.03	+6.88
	Progressive Conservative	Laurie MacIntosh	2,290	24.25	+3.45
Total valid votes			9,442	100.0
Total rejected ballots			62	0.65
Turnout			9,504	52.80
Eligible voters			18,001
	Liberal hold		Swing		-8.61
Source: Elections Nova Scotia[17][18]

v t e Nova Scotia provincial by-election, July 14, 2015: Sydney-Whitney Pier On the resignation of Gordie Gosse
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Derek Mombourquette	3,794	49.05	+5.02
	New Democratic	Madonna Doucette	2,332	30.15	-19.22
	Progressive Conservative	Brian E. MacArthur	1,609	20.80	+14.20
Total valid votes			7,735	99.55
Total rejected ballots			35	0.45
Turnout			7,770	42.60
Electors on the lists			18,238
	Liberal gain from New Democratic		Swing		+12.12

v t e 2013 Nova Scotia general election: Sydney-Whitney Pier
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	New Democratic	Gordie Gosse	5,084	49.37	−5.25
	Liberal	Derek Mombourquette	4,534	44.03	+8.80
	Progressive Conservative	Leslie MacPhee	680	6.60	−1.79
Total valid votes			10,298	99.40
Total rejected ballots			62	0.60
Turnout			10,360	57.86
Electors on the lists			17,906	–
	New Democratic hold		Swing		−7.03
Source(s) "Voters in two Cape Breton ridings head to polls Tuesday". Cape Breton Post. July 13, 2015.