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Gary Burrill: The clergyman at the helm of Nova Scotia’s New Democrats

Gary Burrill, centre, celebrates with supporters following his election as leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party during the party convention, in Dartmouth, N.S., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

The Liberals called a provincial election for Nova Scotia on May 30. Here is a quick look at the man hoping to lead the New Democratic Party to victory.

Name: Gary Burrill

Party: New Democratic Party

Age: 61

Hometown: Woodstock, N.B. (with family roots in Yarmouth, N.S.)

Job before politics: The social justice advocate and graduate of Queen’s and Harvard was ordained as a United Church minister in 1992.

Leadership history: Elected leader in 2016 without a seat; he was an NDP backbencher for Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley from 2009 to 2013.

READ MORE: Complete Nova Scotia Election 2017 coverage

Notable moment: During the two televised debates, Burrill established himself as a folksy and comfortable candidate with a quick wit. He elicited a laugh from the audience during the second debate by framing the Liberal and Tory leaders as squabbling family members.

Spotted in his office: A photo of Jamie McLachlan, a Cape Breton coalminer, union leader and labour advocate, and a photo of the home of Joseph Howe, provincial politician, newspaperman and public servant.

Quote: “The core idea I ingested as a boy is that people ought to have a better life. We are not put on this earth to have 50,000 meals and 20,000 sleeps and move on. We’re here with a purpose to improve the world.”

WATCH: N.S. NDP Leader Gary Burrill announces new caucus positions

Click to play video: 'N.S. NDP Leader Gary Burrill announces new caucus positions'
N.S. NDP Leader Gary Burrill announces new caucus positions

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