Russell MacLellan Liberal Russell MacLellan Liberal The 1998 Nova Scotia general election was held on March 24, 1998 to elect members of the 57th House of Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada.

The Liberals inherited a $471-million deficit, and launched an austerity program which cut the province's health and education systems.

This shift angered some Nova Scotians who now had to pay taxes on things that had previously been exempted, such as home heating fuel.

"[3] During a televised debate on March 5, 1998, MacLellan stumbled badly when Progressive Conservative Leader John Hamm asked if he would resign if he failed to bring in a balanced budget.

This moment marked a turning point in a race that saw the Liberals barely retain power.