About Andrew...

 

Andrew was elected as the Member of the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly for Dartmouth East in the general election of June of 2009. Andrew serves as Deputy House Leader for the Nova Scotia Liberal Caucus.

 

He is currently the Official Opposition Critic for the Department of Energy, Department of the Environment, Department of Natural Resources, and Communications Nova Scotia. Andrew also serves on the provincial Resources Committee, the Public Accounts Committee, and House of Assembly Management Committee, as well as sitting on the executive committee of the Council of State Governments Eastern Region.

 

Prior to being elected to the Nova Scotia Assembly, Andrew won two municipal elections and served five years on Halifax Regional Council as the elected Councillor for District 6: East Dartmouth – The Lakes. In that role he participated on many committees. He chaired the municipality's Energy & Underground Services Committee, Harbour East Community Council, and the Cultural Advisory Committe.

 

Growing Up In Dartmouth

 

Andrew grew up in Dartmouth and attended Bel Ayr and Brookhouse Elementary Schools, Ellenvale Junior High School, and Prince Andrew High School. Andrew earned a combined Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology and Political Science from Dalhousie University, and a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of King’s College.

 

In 2011 Andrew completed the Robert Thompson Eastern Leadership Academy program at the University of Pennsylvannia.

 

In 1992 and 1993 Andrew was one of seven Canadians awarded the Canadian Merit Scholarship Award for his community service work in Dartmouth and surrounding areas. Among his many volunteer activities, Andrew was an early and active member of PAWEECA (Prince Andrew - Woodlawn Environmental Enhancement and Conservation Association), director of the St. Thomas More Parish youth choir, a volunteer swimming and paddling coach, and organized major fundraisers for area charities.

 

Andrew lives in Dartmouth with his wife Katia, an elementary teacher, and son Declan.

 

Commitment to Volunteering

 

Andrew's recent volunteer work has included time on the Jeux de l'Acadie organizing committee, Michael Wallace Community Playground planning committee, part of the Writers In The Schools program through the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia, Dalhousie University's Faculty of Science Excellence Teaching Committee, and the East Dartmouth Recreation Centre Society.

 

He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank and the Brookhouse School Advisory Committee.

Andrew has assisted with development projects in West Africa, including a women’s micro-credit program in eastern Niger and an AIDS education project in the Gambia.

 

Successful Small Business Owner

 

Before entering politics, Andrew operated a successful small business in the field of television production, journalism, and communications. With his business proudly based in Nova Scotia Andrew served small and large clients all over the world.

Andrew’s work in journalism included work for many of the major international television networks, as well as work on the print side as a writer, photographer, and magazine editor. His journalism work won him many accolades including an Atlantic Journalism Award and, as part of a team, a Gemini Award.

 

Andrew also served as a member of the Part-Time Faculty of the Nova Scotia Community College, and Artistic Coordinator and Festival Coordinator for the 1998 Nova Scotia Multicultural Festival.