On June 13, 2006, the voters of Halifax Citadel first elected Leonard Preyra to the Legislative Assembly.  

Leonard Preyra immigrated to Canada with his parents and nine siblings from Mumbai, India, in 1968. 

Leonard has a Ph.D. in political science from Queen’s University, an M.A. in international political economy and history from the University of Toronto, and a B.A. (Hons.) in Economics and Political Science from the University of Toronto. 

Prior to his election in June 2006, Leonard was Chair of the political science department at St. Mary’s University in Halifax. He is also past-president of the SMU faculty union, and an active coalition builder on post-secondary education issues. 

Leonard is very active in the community. He has served as advisor to the “Save our High School Immersion Program” (SOHIP) executive, as a soccer coach for the Halifax City Wanderers, and a founding member of the North West Arm Coalition, among other volunteer involvements. Recently, Leonard has been active in opposing the closure of elementary schools in Halifax Citadel. 

On a national and provincial level, Leonard’s advice has been sought out and valued in many arenas. He served on two Royal Commissions on RCMP Security Service and Electoral Reform and Party Financing; he may be familiar to regular television news watchers as an often-quoted political commentator and media analyst; and he is a respected feminist scholar and activist, sexual and gender harassment advisor and a consultant on technology and political mobilization, especially marginalized women. 

Leonard has two children: Kate and Ben.