Scott Armstrong

David Scott Armstrong (born July 9, 1966) is a Canadian politician, who was elected as a Conservative member to represent the electoral district of Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley in the federal by-elections on November 9, 2009. He served until his defeat in the 2015 election.

After his defeat in the 2015 election, Armstrong was appointed as the official opposition critic on Atlantic Canadian issues and ACOA and was the only official opposition critic who was not a member of parliament.

On September 15, 2016, it was announced that Armstrong would return to full-time teaching and relinquish his posts with the Conservative Party.

In the 2024 Nova Scotia general election, he was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly for Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley.

Background Armstrong graduated from Cobequid Education Centre in 1984. He graduated from Acadia University with a Bachelor of Arts. He then went on to earn a Master of Social Science Education from Florida State University and studied at the University of Southern Mississippi as well.

Armstrong has served as a school administrator for over 15 years. Armstrong was principal at Tatamagouche Elementary School in the early 2000s. He was also principal at Truro Elementary School in 2008 and 2009. After his election defeat in 2015 Armstrong returned to his career as an educator. He served as Principal at Great Village Elementary School in 2016/2017, Principal of Debert Elementary 2017/2018, Principal of South Colchester Academy (High School) 2018/2019, Principal of Debert Elementary 2019/2020, and South Colchester Academy 2020/2021. After a two-year secondment as Chair Elect for the Board of Directors of the Public School Administrators Association of Nova Scotia, Armstrong returned to South Colchester Academy for the 2024/2025 school year.

Community involvement Armstrong is a volunteer on the Children's Aid Society Board and the Hospital Foundation Board. Armstrong is a former president and longstanding volunteer of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia, and volunteer with the Conservative Party. Armstrong was nominated as the Conservative Party candidate for the byelection to replace him. On November 9, 2009, Armstrong won the byelection, receiving 45.8% of the vote. He was re-elected in the 2011 federal election, receiving 52.5% of the vote. In September 2012, Armstrong was named chairman of the federal Conservative Atlantic caucus, replacing New Brunswick MP Mike Allen. In the 2015 federal election, Armstrong was defeated by Liberal Bill Casey.

40th Parliament Armstrong served as a member on the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament, the Standing Joint Committee on Scrutiny of Regulations and the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.

During the 40th Parliament, Armstrong sponsored a Private Member's Bill, Bill C-636 – An Act Respecting the Marine Mammals Regulations (Seal Fishery Observation Licence). The bill would have increased the distance that a person must maintain from another person who is fishing for seals. Bill C-636 did not go beyond first reading.

41st Parliament Armstrong served as a member on the Legislative Committee on Bill C-11, the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates and its Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage and its Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedures, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs and its Subcommittee on Private Members' Business, the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and Status of Persons with Disabilities, and its Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.

Provincial politics On October 21, 2024, Armstrong was nominated as the Progressive Conservative candidate in Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley for the 2024 Nova Scotia general election.

On November 26, 2024, he won his seat in the 42nd Nova Scotia Provincial Election for Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley.

On December 12, 2024, Armstrong was appointed to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia as Minister of Opportunities and Social Development. On October 21, 2025, he was appointed Minister of Justice, and Minister responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism.

Electoral record