John Leefe

Who is John Leefe?

Honorary Colonel Hon. John Gordon Leefe ECNS DCL is an author, former educator and political figure in Nova Scotia, Canada. He represented Queens in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1978 to 1999 as a Progressive Conservative member. He was also mayor of Region of Queens Municipality 2000-2012.

He was born in Saint John, New Brunswick, the son of James G. Leefe CD and Helen G. Sancton, and was educated at University of King's College, the University of New Brunswick and Dalhousie University. Leefe taught school in Saint John, Halifax and Liverpool, NS where he was Head of the Social Studies Department and later Assistant Director of Curriculum with the Queens District School Board.

First elected in 1978, he served on the province's Executive Council of Nova Scotia as Minister of Fisheries from 1983 to 1989, Minister of the Environment from 1989 to 1992 and Minister of Natural Resources from 1992 to 1993. Leefe also served as Government House Leader 1991-1993. While a member of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition he served as Chair of the Public Accounts Committee of the Legislature.