Kenzie MacNeil ONS (2 September 1952 – 24 July 2021) was a Canadian songwriter, performer, producer and director in television, film, radio and stage, and a former Conservative Party of Canada candidate.[1][2] MacNeil completed a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Francis Xavier University. He also studied at the University of Botswana in Lesotho and Swaziland while accompanying his parents on field work with CIDA in Africa for three years.[3]

Biography

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 and featured local musicians.[5] He also served as Artistic Director/Producer of the Cape Breton Music and Theatre Company, and worked as Director of the UCCB Press.

Over the years he contributed to Peter Gzowski's This Country in the Morning and Morningside on CBC Radio, and on some of the most popular television shows of the time: Singalong Jubilee, Ceilidh, Tommy Hunter, Ryan’s Fancy, Ian Tyson, and many others. Kenzie MacNeil also had an active theatrical career performing in productions like Tom Gallant's Step/Dance and with Gordon Pinsent in John and the Missus, and was nominated for an ACTRA award for Best Supporting Actor for his work in Last Night in Town. He was involved in the production of the National Film Board's Empty Harbours, Empty Dreams, 12,000 Men, and Scoggie. As well, MacNeil worked as Chair of the Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation and helped with the creation of soundstages across the mainland and on the Island, and in particular, assisted with bringing the productions Pit Pony and New Waterford Girl to Cape Breton.

MacNeil is best known for his song “The Island,” which was declared the official Cape Breton anthem in 1985. The song is 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] 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 magazine.[3]

Politics

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] In the 2019 federal election, MacNeil ran as an independent candidate in Sydney—Victoria,[7] but finished in sixth place.[8]

Personal

MacNeil died on 24 July 2021.[9][10] He was posthumously awarded the Order of Nova Scotia in 2022.[11]

Electoral record

2019 Canadian federal election: Sydney—Victoria
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalJaime Battiste12,53630.90−42.30$63,429.21
ConservativeEddie Orrell11,22727.68+17.04none listed
New DemocraticJodi McDavid8,14620.08+7.02none listed
IndependentArchie MacKinnon5,67914.00Newnone listed
GreenLois Foster2,2495.54+3.04$0.00
IndependentKenzie MacNeil4801.18Newnone listed
Veterans CoalitionRandy Joy2480.61New$0.00
Total valid votes/expense limit 40,56598.72  $99,536.07
Total rejected ballots 5281.28+0.71
Turnout 41,09368.12−0.84
Eligible voters 60,322
Liberal hold Swing −29.67
Source: Elections Canada[12]
2006 Canadian federal election: Cape Breton—Canso
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalRodger Cuzner21,42453.19-0.07$62,038.40
ConservativeKenzie MacNeil9,74024.18+3.94$47,590.43
New DemocraticHector Morrison8,11120.14-4.18$7,662.93
GreenRob Hines1,0062.50+0.33$323.17
Total valid votes/expense limit 40,281100.0   $76,321
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 2880.71-0.24
Turnout 40,56966.52+2.72
Eligible voters 60,984
Liberal hold Swing -2.00
2004 Canadian federal election: Cape Breton—Canso
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalRodger Cuzner20,13953.26-0.33$63,078.17
New DemocraticShirley Hartery9,19724.32+5.44$21,160.51
ConservativeKenzie MacNeil7,65420.24-7.19$49,919.36
GreenSeumas Gibson8202.17–none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 37,810100.0   $73,856
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 3610.95
Turnout 38,17163.80-3.38
Eligible voters 59,825
Liberal notional hold Swing -2.88
Changes from 2000 are based on redistributed results. Conservative Party change is based on the combination of Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative Party totals.

References

  1. ↑ Laura Jean Grant (17 September 2007). "Film tax credit wont have reel impact on Cape Breton". The Cape Breton Post. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 O'Brien, Robert (2008). Solidarity first: Canadian workers and social cohesion. Vancouver: UBC Press. pp. 107–108. ISBN 978-0-7748-1439-3.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Candidate profiles-Canada Votes 2004". CBC. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  4. ↑ Tera Camus (26 May 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. 1 2 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.
  7. ↑ "Former MP, local songwriter running as Independents in Cape Breton". CBC News. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  8. ↑ "Jaime Battiste becomes first Mi'kmaw MP after winning riding of Sydney-Victoria". SaltWire Network. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  9. ↑ "Songwriter behind iconic Cape Breton anthem passes away". CTV News. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  10. ↑ "Kenzie MacNeil, known for Cape Breton anthem 'The Island', dies". SaltWire Network. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  11. ↑ "Order of Nova Scotia: 2022 Recipients". Government of Nova Scotia.
  12. ↑ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
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