Nova Scotia·NewMacLeod was being remembered Monday as a kind-hearted, dedicated public servant and volunteer who always made time for local causes.MacLeod remembered as compassionate, witty and steadfastly loyal to his constituents and their causes Matthew Moore · CBC News · Posted: Sep 29, 2025 5:16 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour agoAlfie MacLeod is survived by his wife, their three children, and grandchildren. (Nova Scotia government)Alfie MacLeod, a former Speaker of the Nova Scotia Legislature and long-serving Progressive Conservative MLA known for his love of Cape Breton and unceasing wit, was being remembered Monday as a kind-hearted, dedicated public servant and volunteer who always made time for local causes.MacLeod died Sunday at the age of 69 following a battle with cancer.”Probably one of the kindest persons that anyone could ever know,” said Keith Bain, himself a former Speaker of the House and Cape Breton MLA.”He loved his family above all else and this community next.”Bain said MacLeod had been battling cancer for the better part of a year, but still made efforts to support his community, even during treatments.Alfie MacLeod ran unsuccessfully for a federal seat in 2000 and 2019. After losing to Liberal Mike Kelloway in the riding of Cape Breton-Canso in 2019, MacLeod told reporters he wouldn’t have done anything differently. ‘You go out and put your best foot forward, and do what you can,’ he said at the time. (Wendy Martin/CBC)”He could demonstrate his wit even in caucus and on the floor of the House, but more than anything, he showed compassion he had for his constituents,” Bain told CBC Radio’s Mainstreet Cape Breton.MacLeod was first elected to the legislature in the district formerly known as Cape Breton West in an October 1995 byelection, only to lose the seat in 1998 provincial election.He staged a political comeback in 2006, and was then selected as Speaker of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in 2007. He continued to represent his district, which was later renamed Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg, through three subsequent provincial elections until his retirement from provincial politics in 2019.He made unsuccessful federal bids for office in 2000 and more recently in 2019.Auctioneer extraordinaireMacLeod’s political dedication to Cape Breton Island was dwarfed only by his volunteer work. He often put his booming voice to work as an auctioneer in fire halls and church basements for a number of causes and charities, even in some of his most difficult moments.Bain said that last month, when MacLeod was in palliative care, he made an effort to drive an hour and a half to Dundee for an auction to support Caleb’s Courage. The charity raises funds to support critically ill children and their families in Cape Breton. It’s named after Caleb MacArthur, a young boy who died with Stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma.MacArthur’s father, Mike, the charity’s co-founder, said MacLeod used a day pass in August to leave the hospital to travel and support the auction, even when his health was fading.”He actually came and he did a portion of the auction that night, which to us, really spoke to his involvement and how much he cared about not only us, but the children and families that he was helping support,” Mike MacArthur said.He recalled an auction MacLeod attended where three bottles of jam were sold to a high bidder for $3,000. The jam was then donated back twice over, raising a total of $9,000 for the charity.A tireless ‘legend’At Province House on Monday, people who served with MacLeod were thinking of him, too.NDP Leader Claudia Chender said she considered herself lucky to be able to serve with MacLeod on the opposition side of the House following her first election in 2017.”He was a legend in this House, he was a legend in Cape Breton,” she said.”He was funny, he was sharp — he sometimes took naps. He advocated very passionately for his community, in particular for the New Boston Road.”Tributes poured in Monday for MacLeod, who was remembered as a fierce public servant. (CBC)Chender said MacLeod also did much for accessibility at Province House, particularly after he lost his left foot in 2014 following a serious infection. Just two days after being released from hospital, MacLeod returned to Province House to take his seat during the 2014 fall sitting.”You’ll have to excuse me if I don’t stand,” he said to reporters upon his return, flashing his trademark humour. There was never any doubt whether MacLeod would be back to represent his community.”I’ve lost a foot but I haven’t lost my mind,” he said at the time.’Known by all’Liberal House leader Iain Rankin sat next to MacLeod following his first election win in 2013, when the Liberal government of the day was so large that some of its members were seated on the opposition side of the chamber.”Nobody has the passion that he exhibited here for [Cape Breton],” Rankin said at Province House.”He was like a grizzly bear, but also I’d say a Care Bear, too. He was larger than life but he was a softy, too.”Rankin said MacLeod understood that “the best MLAs really pay attention to the small, local stuff.” “He was like a grizzly bear, but also I’d say a Care Bear, too.- Liberal House leader Iain RankinCape Breton Centre-Whitney Pier MLA Kendra Coombs described MacLeod as “a giant in Cape Breton, known by all.””He loved the people. He loved supporting their causes,” she said.”He was a gentleman — kind, funny and always with a twinkle in his eye.”In a statement, Premier Tim Houston said MacLeod was a man of conviction.”He had a big heart, and thousands of Nova Scotians benefited from his compassion, his fierce loyalty and his willingness to stand up for the underdog. He was a steadfast friend and a true community leader.”MacLeod is survived by his wife, Shirley; their children, Daniel, Jessica and Sandra; and grandchildren.WIth files from Michael Gorman, Mainstreet Cape Breton
Alfie MacLeod, former Cape Breton MLA and House Speaker, dead at 69
