Alumni Highlight: Richard MacLean
Photo by Richard MacLean
An important trait that SMU tries to instill in its students and alumni is to always be learning and looking for opportunities to try new things. This idea has certainly taken hold for Richard MacLean, a SMU alumni and current teacher who recently ran in the NS provincial elections. Since graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Mary’s in 1990, double majoring in History and English, MacLean has attended multiple different schools for various degrees. He attended the University of Maine at Fort Kent for his Bachelor of Education, Cape Breton University for a graduate diploma in Educational Technology, Mount Saint Vincent University for a Master’s in Educational Leadership, and finally, he went back to SMU in 2002 for his graduate diploma in Mediation, Negotiation, and Conflict Resolution. With his various degrees and diplomas under his belt, MacLean has truly always been learning.
As a teacher of business technology and business management at Halifax West High School, MacLean decided to run as a candidate for the Progressive Conservative (PC) party in the Halifax Armdale riding in the recent 2021 provincial election. The PC Party’s platform was centered around healthcare and education, topics that MacLean deeply understood and wanted to better as a teacher himself. The biggest issue the PC party planned to tackle was the state of healthcare and mental health services in the province. Their plan to advance health services in Nova Scotia included establishing virtual appointments for those who cannot attend in-person, placing a focus on the prevention of illness and disease, and instituting new recruiting methods for doctors to practice in the province.
MacLean did a lot of door-to-door canvassing during the election, talking to Haligonians directly about the PC Party’s platform and his own plans and desires for the community. When it was announced that MacLean would be running, Tim Houston, leader of the PC Party, said, “I’m happy to have such a straightforward and solutions-focused individual on our team”.
Despite his skills and community-based approach to this election, this SMU alumni did not win his riding. The elected candidate for Halifax Armdale was Liberal Party member Ali Duale, who received 3,070 votes. Duale’s focus with the Liberal party was on helping to boost the economy after issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and having a greener Nova Scotia. The NDP came in second, with Julie Melanson receiving 2,593 votes, and the PC party came in third, with MacLean receiving 1,681 votes. When reading the election results for this riding, I was surprised to learn that only 54.02% of citizens eligible to vote in this riding voted.
Although he may not have won his riding, I wanted to know more about MacLean's time at SMU and how it led him into politics. I had the chance to interview him this past week about his experience with SMU, politics, and everything else he has done in between.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
Photo by Saint Mary’s University. Richard MacLean on the SMU Huskies Football Team in 1987.
Q: You attended SMU to receive a BA in History and English, as well as a BA graduate diploma in Mediation, Negotiations and Conflict Resolution. What years did you attend these programs and what was your experience with the university like?
A: I attended SMU from 86-90 [for my] BA, the Diploma was in 2003. I really enjoyed my time at Saint Mary’s, I played football my years there and still have a large group of friends from that time. I lived at home so I didn’t get involved in all the on-campus things going on, but there was plenty to do and I totally enjoyed my years there.
Q: You also served on the St. Mary’s University Alumni Executive, what position did you hold and how long did you stay with the executive?
A: I served 2 terms on the exec. My last term I was Vice-President.
Q: Are you still active as a member of the SMU alumni community today?
A: I am probably not as active as I once was, but I attend the sport hall of fame ceremony and homecoming each year.
Q: In what ways do you feel SMU prepared you for entering into politics? Both in personal and educational ways?
A: I learned you need a plan [and to] prepare and have a strong team around you if you are going to compete. You can’t accomplish much by yourself and that’s what I learned. It’s a team game.
Q: Was this past election the first time you ran for MLA? What made you decide to run?
A: It was the first time. I decided to run because I believed the riding of Armdale needed a new direction, and I was willing to provide that to the residents.
Q: You are currently the President of the International Federation of American Football, when did you begin in that position?
A: I have been President since 2016. I was President of Football Canada prior to that for 4 years and President of Football Nova Scotia for 10 years.
Q: You have achieved a lot in your time as President of the IFAF (International Federation of American Football), what have been some of your proudest accomplishments while in that role?
A: I think reunifying the federation and bringing all countries back into IFAF after a split of the membership [that] happened a few years before I became President. [As well], having an external evaluation of the federation in 2019 and scoring well above the average score for a federation of our size by the International Olympic Committee. Helping secure flag football a spot in the 2022 World Games was a big first as well.
Q: Apart from working as a football executive, you also played football with the Toronto Argonauts. How long did you stay with the team and what was your experience like?
A: I was there for 2 training camps. It was very memorable. The team was bought by John Candy and Wayne Gretsky my second year so the excitement was electric around the team, [who] went on to win a Grey Cup.
Q: You have an extensive history of volunteering within the HRM, what are some of the volunteer positions you've had over the years?
A: I’ve volunteered as a coach with Football Nova Scotia [and] I was on the Kidsport Board for metro. Currently I am on the Provincial Executive of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union.
Q: What have been some of your proudest moments in your career as a teacher?
A: Too many to mention. I love seeing students mature, overcome obstacles and succeed. I find [those] are my proudest moments.
Q: With so many different professional and personal experiences under your belt, is there anything you are looking to do next? Do you plan to run for MLA in the next election?
A: Right now, I am just reflecting on the experience. I am not sure where I will be in 4 years but I am sure there is something else I will do.
With so many accomplishments and achievements already, both in his education and professional careers, it is no wonder MacLean decided to make the jump into local politics. While he may not have won this year, he will certainly be kept busy as the new school year starts up, and don’t be surprised if you see his election posters popping up again in four years.