Kenzie MacNeil

Kenzie MacNeil (born September 2, 1952 in Sydney, Nova Scotia) is a Canadian songwriter, performer, producer and director in television, film, radio and stage, and a former Conservative Party of Canada candidate.[1][2]

MacNeil has a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Francis Xavier University. He also studied at the University of Botswana and in Lesotho and Swaziland.[3]

MacNeil was a major force behind The Rise and Follies of Cape Breton Island, a satirical sketch review that ran from 1978 to 1982.[4] The revue included songs inspired by the coal and steel industry of Cape Breton.[5] MacNeil composed the anthem "The Island", a tribute to coal industry workers in Nova Scotia.[2] According to Men of the Deeps musical director, John O'Donnell, "the words offer a vivid demonstration that labour in Cape Breton has indeed had a deep cultural impact on the community."[5] MacNeil served a term as chairman of the Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation.[1] He also worked as a development officer with the Nova Scotia Department of Economic Development,[3] and has been the editor and publisher of the Cape Bretoner Newsmagazine.[3]

MacNeil ran as a Conservative Party of Canada in Cape Breton—Canso in the 2004 and 2006 federal elections, coming third and second respectively behind Liberal incumbent Rodger Cuzner.[2][3][6]

MacNeil is married and has four daughters.[3]

Electoral record

2006 Canadian federal election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Rodger Cuzner	21,428	53.06	-0.20
	Conservative	Kenzie MacNeil	9,741	24.12	+3.88
	New Democratic	Hector Morrison	8,106	20.07	-4.25
	Green	Rob Hines	1,106	2.74	+0.57
Total valid votes			40,381

2004 Canadian federal election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Rodger Cuzner	20,139	53.26	-0.3
	New Democratic	Shirley Hartery	9,197	24.32	+5.4
	Conservative	Kenzie MacNeil	7,654	20.24	-7.2
	Green	Seumas Gibson	820	2.17	Ø
Total valid votes			37,810

References

1. Laura Jean Grant (September 17, 2007). "Film tax credit wont have reel impact on Cape Breton". The Cape Breton Post. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
2. O'Brien, Robert (2008). Solidarity first: Canadian workers and social cohesion. Vancouver: UBC Press. pp. 107–108. ISBN 0-7748-1439-X.
3. "Candidate profiles-Canada Votes 2004". CBC. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
4. Tera Camus (May 26, 2010). "Cape Breton Summertime Revue reunion to raise money for Savoy Theatre". What's going on: Cape Breton's Entertainment Guide. Archived from the original on 24 January 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
5. John C. O'Donnell (1986). "Labour's Cultural Impact on the Community". Canadian Journal for Traditional Music. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
6. "Canada Votes 2006 - Candidates and Ridings". CBC. Retrieved 28 December 2010.