Stephen Kimber - Alexa!: Changing the Face of Canadian Politics

A photo of Alexa McDonough standing behind a light grey podium that has a microphone on it. The background is black with a soft burst of orange light in the top right corner. Alexa has short cropped blond hair and is looking off to the left with a bright close-lipped smile. Her right hand and arm are raised in front of her in a wave. She is wearing a coral pink turtleneck under a dark blue zipped up blazer. She wears matching coral lipstick and sliver earrings. The title reads ALEXA! in large orange letters and Changing the Face of Canadian Politics in smaller pale-yellow type below it. Across the bottom of the photo, Stephen Kimber is written in all caps. A quote from Wanda Thomas Bernard, One of the most influential trailblazers in Canadas history appears at the top of the photo.

Advance praise for ALEXA!

From the very first page of Alexa!, were given a look into the motivating forces that inspired her life and her work to make peoples lives better. From bringing awareness to the challenges faced by Black people in Africville and overhauling Halifaxs welfare system to her important role in advancing womens rightful place in Canadian politics, this biography chronicles Alexas growing determination to build a better Canada.

Jagmeet Singh

A deeply personal, yet objective, informative, and thought-provoking account of the life of one of Canadas most inspiring parliamentarians. Alexa McDonough not only changed the face of politics in Canada and her beloved Nova Scotia, but she transformed lives and political processes. Alexa! offers readers a documented legacy of a political leader we could emulate. This book will inspire generations to continue the work she started.

Hon. Wanda Thomas Bernard

Stephen Kimber masterfully recounts the life and times of an important Canadian. Kimbers gift is to present his subject as a fully rounded person a woman whose life was full of love and joy as well as grit and vision. I was only vaguely acquainted with Alexa McDonough although I know many who admired her. This wonderful biography makes me wish I had known her better.

Rt. Hon. Kim Campbell

I never had the opportunity to know or to work with Alexa McDonough but I really wish I had. Her story is a rich piece of Canadas political story. Her heart, her compassion, and her commitment to politics connected to real people are a profound counterbalance to the prevailing cynicism that threatens the very foundations of democracy. And we need more womens stories. It was such a pleasure to read the story of this feisty, principled, brilliant woman who persevered through highs and lows, who defied the odds and the men who tried to bring her down, and who always found the light in the moment. Alexa touched the lives of millions of Canadians. I owe her a particular debt of gratitude for blazing a trail for women in leadership. This book is a delightful, important read!

Kathleen Wynne

Alexa McDonough tackled important issues for Canada at a time when even talking about these issues would result in anything from laughter to sneers to threats. Im thankful that this book is written so that a record of her work exists and wont be taken for granted. It is a gift to those of us who have followed in her giant footsteps and to those who may be inspired yet to do so. Kimber candidly covers her journey but treats her story with great care. Her humanity shines through.

Megan Leslie

A powerful and beautifully written biography of an important Canadian activist, feminist, and trailblazing politician. Her inspiring story, illustrating Alexas genuine motivation to make real change, is what propels women to run for public office. We are so grateful for Rosemary Browns advice You Should when Alexa was asked to run for office. You Should would be my advice to all young women in Canada. Read this book to better understand that when you add women, politics changes for the better.

Hon. Carolyn Bennett

A moving and delightfully descriptive account of Alexa McDonough, who successfully navigated the testosterone-fuelled world of elected office, winning the leadership of both the Nova Scotia NDP and the federal party. As a former political journalist who spent years covering women in politics, I had the opportunity to watch McDonough in action. Kimbers account is spot on. He sugar-coats nothing, and McDonough, a private person, who was under a spotlight for most of her career, helps him tell the story.

Jane Taber

Stephen Kimber has written a wonderful account of Alexas unique contributions to politics: a deep commitment to people, not in the abstract but as real individuals and families facing a struggle; to social justice writ large; and to building a movement in Nova Scotia and across the country. More people will get to know a truly remarkable woman whose intelligence, charm, and humour have worked their way into our hearts.

Hon. Bob Rae

Also by STEPHEN KIMBER

Non-Fiction

What Lies Across the Water: The Real Story of the Cuban Five

IWK: A Century of Caring

Loyalists and Layabouts: The Rapid Rise and Faster Fall of Shelburne, Nova Scotia, 1783-1792

Sailors, Slackers and Blind Pigs: Halifax at War

NOT GUILTY: The Trial of Gerald Regan

Flight 111: The Tragedy of the Swissair Crash

More Than Just Folks

Net Profits

Fiction

The Sweetness in the Lime

Reparations

STEPHEN KIMBER

ALEXA!

Changing the Face of Canadian Politics

Goose Lane Editions logo. A white goose with black shading on a black background with the text Goose Lane.

Copyright 2021 by Stephen Kimber.

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher or a licence from the Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (Access Copyright). To contact Access Copyright, visit accesscopyright.ca or call 1-800-893-5777.

Edited by Susan Renouf.

Cover and page design by Julie Scriver.

Cover image detailed from NDP Leadership Convention 2003 at Exhibition Place. Former NDP Leader Alexa McDonough waves goodbye after giving her farewell speech. January 23, 2003 Photo by Louie Palu/The Globe and Mail.

Printed in Canada by Friesens.

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Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Title: Alexa! : changing the face of Canadian politics / Stephen Kimber.

Names: Kimber, Stephen, author.

Description: Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: Canadiana (print) 2020031825X | Canadiana (ebook) 20200318268 | ISBN 9781773101958 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781773101941 (EPUB)

Subjects: LCSH: McDonough, Alexa. | LCSH: PoliticiansCanadaBiography. | LCSH: PoliticiansNova ScotiaBiography. | LCSH: Women politiciansCanadaBiography. | LCSH: Women politiciansNova ScotiaBiography. | CSH: CanadaPolitics and government1993-2006. | CSH: CanadaPolitics and government2006-2015. | CSH: Nova ScotiaPolitics and government1978-1993. | CSH: Nova ScotiaPolitics and government1993-1999.

Classification: LCC FC636.M38 K54 2020 | DDC 971.064/8092dc23

Goose Lane Editions acknowledges the generous support of the Government of Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Government of New Brunswick.

Goose Lane Editions