Hants West MLA Chuck Porter reflects on political career, retirement plans

Seeing Chuck Porter on stage, strumming a guitar, smiling at the crowd has been a common sight for Hants West residents for more than a decade. Pre-COVID, it was normal to see the affable ‘everyday man’ work a crowded room, enjoying a weekend breakfast or dinner.

He’s volunteered his time at countless fundraisers and gigs, from the Hants County Christmas Angels Telethon to performing music for senior citizens in nursing homes.

Although that wasn’t part of his job description as the provincially-elected representative for Hants West, he’s always felt they complemented one another.

“It was a chance to be accessible to my constituents. I really felt that was important,” said Porter.

Although residents could drop by the constituency office Monday to Friday, Porter said many working people didn’t have that opportunity. Spending weekends volunteering, socializing, or performing at various community functions helped to connect him with people who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to have their voices heard.

“With COVID, it’s been strange. We’ve all been trying to adapt to something new,” said Porter, alluding to the public health restrictions limiting social functions and interactions.

“I can tell you I look forward to the day when the world opens back up and we’re a little more free to go out and enjoy that again. I’ll certainly be part of that — not as an MLA, not as a public official, but certainly as a member of this community that I love.”

On April 15, the Liberal MLA announced he was ready to retire from politics after 15 years serving Nova Scotia, but he has no intention of slowing down — or getting off the stage — any time soon.

“I started really thinking about it over Easter and trying to figure it out. That weekend was gruelling, back and forth,” said Porter in a sit-down interview at his Gerrish Street constituency office in Windsor before the government announced a provincewide lockdown.

“If I’m wavering, it’s probably time to move on,” said Porter of his decision to not reoffer for the next provincial election — whenever that is called.

“I’m quite content with the decision. As a matter of fact, I’m excited about a new opportunity ahead and just thinking about that. Even though I don’t know what it is, there is some excitement around a change,” he said.

MILESTONES AND MEMORIES

Porter was first elected to the provincial legislature as a Tory in 2006. He was re-elected in 2009 and 2013 as a Progressive Conservative before leaving the political party to sit as an independent for 20 months. He joined the Liberal caucus in 2016 and won re-election in 2017 as Hants West’s Liberal representative.

“You could never stay in it for 15 years if you didn’t enjoy what you’re doing, enjoy the people that you’re with, enjoy the kind of work that you’re involved in... You couldn’t,” said Porter.

Porter said he’s been blessed to have been supported by residents, with his biggest election win coming after he crossed political lines.

He said it was heart-warming to have people vote for him because of who he is and what he stands for and not simply because of the party. The same could be said for his predecessor, Ron Russell, who held the seat for 28 years for the Tories.

“People were loyal to Ron. I would argue that probably a lot of good Liberals voted for Ron because of the work Ron did here,” said Porter.

“I can tell you, from family and others, there were lots of good people on both sides of politics that voted for Chuck, regardless of what they normally might have voted,” he said, smiling.

The Hants West riding was created in 1949. The first MLA was Liberal George B. Cole, followed by Progressive Conservative George Henry Wilson, who held the seat for 10 years. Norman T. Spence, another Tory, was elected in 1963 and held the seat until 1970 when Liberal Robert D. Lindsay won the riding. Russell was elected in 1978 and won re-election multiple times until retiring in 2006 when Porter took over.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to hold that seat. Not many people get an opportunity to have a seat in the provincial legislature,” said Porter.

“You look back historically, how many people in the last 50 years have held the seat? Ron had it for 28. I just put 15 in. It’s not like it turns over a whole lot.”

Porter has held various roles in cabinet over the years, most recently as the minister of Lands and Forestry and minister of Energy and Mines. He also sits on the Treasury Board (Tangible Capital Assets/Infrastructure).

He served as minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing during the amalgamation of Windsor and West Hants — a process he’s proud to have been involved in. He also served as deputy speaker and ministerial assistant to the minister of Finance.

Porter, who will be turning 57 this year, said he knew the time was right to retire and said he feels the party is in good shape under the leadership of Iain Rankin, the new premier.

“Stephen McNeil was fantastic. He treated me good,” said Porter of the Annapolis MLA who was the Liberal leader from 2007 until February 2021 when he retired as premier.

“Iain (Rankin) is a good, young man, who, I think, has the potential for a big future in politics and as premier,” Porter continued.

Rankin is Nova Scotia’s secondyoungest premier; the 37-year-old was sworn in on Feb. 23.

“I wish him well, and I think he will do well. He has a good team of folks around him. We will have a good slate of candidates in the upcoming election, I’m sure. I look forward to him taking the third majority and moving on with his agenda.”

There are already two residents vying for the chance to represent Hants West in Porter’s place: Mayor Abraham Zebian and long-time farmer Brian Casey. The successful candidate will be decided in mid-May.

The Progressive Conservative candidate has already been announced: Melissa Sheehy-Richard.

When Porter looks back at his time in office — two years on Windsor town council and 15 years with the Province of Nova Scotia — he is pleased with the investments the province has made to make the region safer and more attractive.

He said there hasn’t been a community in Hants West that the government hasn’t helped in some fashion.

“There’s nothing we haven’t touched here. If there is, I don’t know what it is,” said Porter.

From funding for community hall upgrades to road work and investment in projects like the new West Hants sports complex, Porter said millions have been invested.

“Being involved in each of those respective communities and with the people on the ground, working with them and trying to get some of these projects done, has been fun, exciting, and a real pleasure to accomplish those things,” said Porter.

But perhaps his greatest accomplishment is one that he, along with his constituency team, has been able to quietly do behind the scenes.

“If you can imagine the issue, it’s come before us in this office and we have worked here, with my team, to resolve those everyday issues for people. That’s what this job is about: it’s working for the people,” he said.

“That’s why I got in this business.”

WORKING

Due to confidentiality, Porter said he can’t divulge details on the issues or how they’ve helped people but said in general terms, the issues range in size and complexity and they do their best to connect people with the appropriate resources.

ADVICE FOR FUTURE MLAS

Porter said one of the most important things a hopeful MLA must contemplate is the toll the job will take on family.

“My family was young when I started. You miss things,” said Porter, noting there will be times you’ll get called on Christmas Day, or meetings will run late and you’ll miss recitals, birthdays and special family functions.

“People with young families really need to give some consideration and understand what is expected,” said Porter.

“Not that they shouldn’t do it but they should be aware of what they’re getting into.”

As much as social media can bring people together,

Porter said there’s also an ugly side to it, and politicians, their families, and their friends can be caught in the crossfire.

“Some days, when things aren’t great, social media is not fun to you or your family,” said Porter.

“Let me be clear, it affects all of your family, not just you. My immediate family, my kids, my brothers, my sisters — everyone is impacted by the job that you do and you hold when you are a politician. Always. That doesn’t go away.”

Still, Porter said he’s been fortunate that he’s had so much support over the years and is happy to have been able to give back to the community.

“I’ve been fortunate. People have been good; my family has been fabulous... I couldn’t do it without them.”

RETIREMENT PLANS

Porter says he’s uncertain what he’ll do once he retires from politics, but he knows he’ll still be out in the community, still performing, still being social.

“I don’t know how you ever just stop being social one day. I like the social piece too much,” said Porter.

Porter, who performs with The Fretnotes, also has a home studio where he records music. Some of his latest work has been gaining traction online via Facebook and YouTube — and a couple of songs have hit the airwaves in Sackville via a community radio station.

Recently, he was moved by a poem written by Kim Redden that was posted on Facebook. He connected with her to see if he could put her words to music. She agreed.

“What I saw in words, I heard something in music,” said Porter.

“The first thing I did was I sat down with my guitar and within minutes had the music for this,” said Porter.

He recorded it and Sandra Elliott provided the vocals for the track. It was released earlier this year and he’s had plenty of positive feedback.

“As the band, we ran all over the place playing music. That wasn’t political to me. That was my relax time, that was my time away from this,” said Porter, noting he’s always turned to music to soothe the soul.

“I don’t know what I would do without music in my life.”

Porter is now tinkering with music videos and helping others get their tunes recorded. Regardless of what the future holds, music will always be there.

Porter will remain the riding’s MLA until the next election.