PORT HAWKESBURY - One of three candidates running to replace Stephen McNeil as Nova Scotia Premier and provincial Liberal leader is hoping the support of a familiar face will help push him over the top this February.

Labi Kousoulis served as Nova Scotia's Minister of Labour and Advanced Education (LAE) for several years before leaving cabinet to run for the Liberal leadership. As he made campaign stops in Isle Madame and Port Hawkesbury this month, Kousoulis was pleased to be joined by former Cape Breton-Richmond MLA Michel Samson, who served in the Liberal cabinets of both McNeil and former premier Russell MacLellan. 

"Michel is an old friend - we became very close when I was elected in 2013," recalled Kousoulis, who has represented the riding of Halifax Citadel-Sable Island for the past seven years. "He was always a great asset to myself and to our team."

Kousoulis spent the entire first week of his campaign in Cape Breton, and set up a campaign office for the island in Sydney. He is now hoping that his initial platform planks will have special interest to Cape Bretoners, including a $60-million tax cut for small businesses, further investments in Cape Breton's tech sector, a tourism strategy that concentrates on attracting visitors to the island all year long, and a sharper focus on bringing immigrants and international students to Cape Breton in particular and Nova Scotia in general. 

"For Nova Scotia to thrive, Cape Breton has to thrive, and vice-versa," Kousoulis declared. "So we're going to make sure we keep working hand-in-hand to move the province forward."

In addition to Kousoulis, two other former cabinet ministers - Antigonish MLA Randy Delorey and Timberlea-Prospect MLA Iain Rankin - are also seeking the leadership of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.