Donald Mac Donald (Nova Scotia Politician) - CCF MLA

CCF MLA

After the UMW strike of 1940, MacDonald wanted labour to have an active voice in the provincial legislature. He served on the Nova Scotia Co-operative Commonwealth Federation's (CCF) governing board known as the provincial council from 1940 until 1951. In 1941, he then ran for and won the CCF's nomination for the provincial electoral district (riding) of Cape Breton South. He won the 1941 provincial election by a mere 62 votes over Liberal incumbent MLA George Mackay Morrison. Being one of only three CCF candidates elected, he became the leader of the CCF party in the Nova Scotia Assembly until 1945.

He ran for re-election in 1945, but lost another close election to Liberal John Smith MacIvor by 330 votes. The CCF lost Cape Breton South, but still retained two seats on the island and in the House of Assembly. His successor as party leader, Russell Cunningham was elected in Cape Breton East in the 1945 election, making up for the loss of Cape Breton South.