Federal Conservative leader visited Smith-McCrossin to talk about the closure of a research farm
From CBC NEWS
For Cumberland North MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, the return of bulls to the cow pasture at the federal Nappan Research Farm is a big win.
The Independent MLA had expressed concern about Ottawa’s decision to close the facility, sell the herd and not breed the remaining cows on the farm.
The decision not to breed the cows could substantially reduce their value to potential buyers.
“By making them open cows or cull cows, they were devaluing the herd by 50 per cent,” said Smith-McCrossin in an interview near the farm on Tuesday.
She made that point again in a video posted last week alongside federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Smith-McCrossin said the federal party approached her to be in the video.
While her opposition to the pending closure may have caught the eye of federal Conservatives, Smith-McCrossin maintains she is not currently looking for a job on Parliament Hill.
Smith-McCrossin says she wades in on federal matters, such as the divestment of government wharfs, the future of the Amherst armoury and the closing of the research farm because they matter to her constituents.
“I represent most of these people that are losing their jobs [at the research farm]. Honestly, it’s very upsetting,” said Smith-McCrossin.
When asked if she and Poilievre spoke about her running federally for the Conservatives, Smith-McCrossin said there have been informal conversations.
She also noted the provincial and federal Liberals have also courted her.
Not resigning
“I’m not focused on running federally for either party,” said Smith-McCrossin, committing to not resigning to make a bid for a federal seat.
“I’m focused on serving the people of Cumberland North and Cumberland County, decisions that impact us locally and also regionally.”
In Nova Scotia, MLAs have to step down when they are nominated to run for another office.
Tom Urbaniak, a political science professor at Cape Breton University, said Smith-McCrossin has a remarkable track record of support, becoming the first Independent ever to win back-to-back elections in Nova Scotia.
“It’s a real gamble that a sitting MLA would take if they decide to run federally, they can’t be campaigning federally or even signalling that they will campaign federally officially, while sitting as an MLA,” said Urbaniak.
Urbaniak said Smith-McCrossin has a high profile across the province, making her an attractive candidate to federal parties or to voters as an Independent.
Cumberland-Colchester
Urbaniak said the federal riding of Cumberland-Colchester is historically Conservative but Liberal MP Alana Hirtle won the seat in 2025, edging out Conservative incumbent Stephen Ellis by just over 1,200 votes.
He said if Smith-McCrossin jumped into federal party politics, she would face a challenge at the ballot box.
“She would have to persuade the voters of Cumberland-Colchester that it’s still essentially Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, the very independent-minded representative who is seeking this office, and someone who will not be as subject to the dictates or excessive discipline of any party leader.”
But Urbaniak noted the success of former Cumberland-Colchester MP Bill Casey, who ran federally as a Conservative, Independent and a Liberal. He said that shows the riding can look favourably on an Independent candidate.
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Smith-McCrossin is hoping her colleagues at Province House can help save the research farm from closing. She’s asked the Houston government to look at how Saskatchewan reached an agreement to keep two of its farms open.
A statement from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada on Tuesday confirmed “an effort is underway to breed the remaining cows” after further consultation with the community.
On Thursday, Nova Scotia Agriculture Minister Greg Morrow said the province is not in the position to take on the additional infrastructure, but would also like to see the closure reversed. He said the department is working with agricultural groups to see what’s possible.
“We’re not in the same situation here.”