Kevin Deveaux

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Kevin Deveaux
Kevin Deveaux

Kevin Deveaux
In office
1998 – 2007
Preceded by Dennis Richards
Succeeded by Becky Kent
Born September 24, 1966
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Political party NDP
Occupation lawyer

Kevin Deveaux (born 24 September 1966) has worked in the field of governance and law since 1989. He was the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the constituency of Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. He was first elected in 1998 and was re-elected in 1999, 2003 and 2006. He has also worked internationally for the United Nations Development Programme and the National Democratic Institute in promoting good governance and transparent and accountable parliaments.

Kevin was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on September 24, 1966. The youngest of five children, he attended school in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia and Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, graduating from Cole Harbour District High School in 1984. His Father, Eugene "Jeep" Deveaux was the municipal councillor for the community for 24 years, from 1972 to 1996.

From 1984 to 1986, Kevin attended St. Mary's University, studying for a Bachelor in Commerce. Prior to finishing his degree, Kevin was accepted at Osgoode Hall Law School and graduated from York University in 1989. He articled with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, with the Ministry of Labour Legal Services Branch, between 1989 and 1990 and continued to work at that location until 1992.

In 1992, Kevin returned to Nova Scotia where he worked first with the City of Halifax, and then with the Nova Scotia Department of Justice where he worked as a Crown Attorney. From 1993 to 1996, Kevin worked with the Nova Scotia Department of Labour as a Legislation and Policy Review Officer. In that position, he worked with labour and management in drafting the new Occupational Health and Safety Act.

In 1995, Kevin was selected to work with the United Nations International Labour Organization in China. He worked in Beijing with the Chinese Government, employers and unions to draft workplace protection legislation. From 1996 until his election in 1998 Kevin worked with the Nova Scotia Workers' Adviser Program, representing injured workers who had claims with the Workers' Compensation Board.

Kevin has also worked more recently in the field of international democratization and good governance with the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI). He has worked in Kosovo, Cambodia and the Middle East. He has drafted parliamentary rules of procedure and legislation, including the Kosovo Access to Information Act, and has provided consultations and advice to MPs and senior government officials in those countries where he has worked.

Kevin was the NDP critic (shadow minister) for Justice, Acadian Affairs and the Treasury and Policy Board. He was also the Official Opposition House Leader from 2003 to 2007. As House Leader, Kevin was the focal point for his Caucus in two minority parliaments, including negotiations with the government and drafting legislation. From 1999 to 2003 he was also the Deputy Speaker in the House of Assembly.

Kevin is married to Megan (nee: McKay) and they have a son, Ewan and a daughter, Flavie.

On January 24, 2007, Kevin announced he was resigning his position as an NDP MLA to work in Vietnam for the United Nations. He was appointed by the United Nations Development Programme as the Senior Technical Adviser to the National Assembly of Vietnam. In that position, Kevin has provided advice to the National Assembly and produced publications that have provided international best practices to MPs, committees and Assembly leaders. Kevin is also an integral part of the management of the project as it delivers substantive results.

The project with the National Assembly was recently renewed for another five year phase to extend until 2012. The new phase will see the project increase its outcomes and budget by 100%.

[edit] External links and references

Kevin's home page, is devoted mainly to his political work, but will soon be redrafted.