Former MLA Trevor Zinck not running in election
176 other candidates registered to run in Nova Scotia election
Former Nova Scotia politician Trevor Zinck is not running in the provincial election, despite saying as recently as last month that he was planning to run in the electoral district of Dartmouth North.
Zinck pleaded guilty in June to fraud over $5,000 and breach of trust for his role in the province's MLA expense scandal. He filed more than $10,000 of MLA expense claims for charity donations and sponsorships he never made.
Zinck, who was elected as a New Democrat, was kicked out of the NDP caucus after allegations of financial irregularities in his expenses came to light. He then continued to sit in the legislature as an Independent as his case made its way through the court.
After pleading guilty in June, Zinck initially refused to quit politics but resigned several days later after mounting public and political pressure, just before the legislature was recalled to deal with his possible expulsion.
During a court appearance in August, Zinck said he planned on running in the election.
"You know, there are people in Dartmouth North that still believe there was a mistake that was made. I’ve paid back the money but there’s still some value in the service that I offer to them and to the community," Zinck said at the time.
His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 1.
Major parties each running 51 candidates
Nomination day closed at 2 p.m. on Tuesday with a total of 176 candidates registered to run in Nova Scotia's 39th general election.
The Liberals, New Democrats and Progressive Conservatives each have candidates running in all of the province's 51 ridings. The Green Party is running 16 candidates and there are also seven Independent candidates.
The electoral districts of Fairview-Clayton Park and Halifax Citadel-Sable Island are the most hotly contested ridings with five candidates running in each.