Lenore Zann

Lenore Zann
Zann at the 2024 WonderCon
Member of Parliament
for Cumberland—Colchester
In office
October 21, 2019 – August 15, 2021
Preceded byBill Casey
Succeeded byStephen Ellis
Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
for Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River
(Truro-Bible Hill; 2009–2013)
In office
June 9, 2009 – September 12, 2019
Preceded byJamie Muir
Succeeded byDave Ritcey
Personal details
Born (1959-11-22) November 22, 1959 (age 64)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Political party
Height5 ft 4 in (1.6 m)
Spouses
  • Ralph Dillon
    (m. 1987; div. 1994)
  • Dennis Keaveney
    (m. 1998; div. 2002)
Residence(s)Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada[1]
Alma materYork University
OccupationActress
Websitelenorezann.libparl.ca Edit this at Wikidata

Lenore Zann (born November 22, 1959) is a Canadian actress and politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the riding of Cumberland—Colchester in the House of Commons of Canada as a member of the Liberal Party. Before entering federal politics, she represented the electoral district of Truro-Bible Hill in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 2009 until 2019 as a member of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party and from June 9, 2019, until September 12, 2019, as an independent.

Zann is also an actress who provided the voice of Rogue in various X-Men series and games.[2]

Life and career

Zann was born on November 22, 1959, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, the daughter of Janice, a high school teacher, and Paul Zann, a professor.[3] Her great-grandfather, named Zaninovich (Zaninović), came to Australia from Croatia.[4]

She emigrated with her parents to Canada in 1968,[2] first to Regina, Saskatchewan, then to Truro, Nova Scotia, and later graduated from Cobequid Educational Centre, a high school in Truro, which was noted for its student musical productions. She attended York University in Toronto where she studied drama, fine arts and political science.

Zann worked as a screen, television, stage, and voice actress, and appeared in numerous television shows, films, radio, and animated series. As an actor, she is best known for providing the voice of Rogue in X-Men: The Animated Series (1992-1997), as well as the video games X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996), Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes (1998), and Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000). Zann reprised the role in X-Men '97, the Disney+ revival of The Animated Series.[5][2]

After living in Halifax, Toronto, London, Stockholm, Vancouver, Los Angeles, and New York City, Zann returned to Truro in 2008.[6]

That fall she started a community campaign to restore a historic former academic building in downtown Truro, Provincial Normal College, into a cultural centre. She raised $62,000 for a feasibility study following which the four-story, 24,000-square-foot provincially designated Victorian brick building was repurposed to become the centre point of downtown Truro – the town's new Central Colchester Regional Library, with a skating rink in front during winter months.[7]

During her first four years as a backbencher in the first NDP government in Nova Scotia Zann was appointed ministerial assistant for three positions: culture & heritage, environment & climate change, and deputy premier – unsuccessfully working to reinstate the Nova Scotia Arts Council and improve the film tax credit for the film and TV industry.

As a first-time opposition member Zann has been NDP spokesperson for education, environment, status of women, Human Rights Commission, Aboriginal affairs & truth & reconciliation, agriculture, advanced education, African NS affairs, and Gaelic affairs.

During her ten years as MLA, she introduced two successful bills. Bill 90 amended the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Commission Act to increase the size of the board of directors to ten. Bill 74 changed the name of the new electoral district of Truro–Bible Hill to Truro–Bible Hill–Millbrook–Salmon River.

Political career

On April 8, 2009, Zann successfully ran for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party nomination in the riding of Truro-Bible Hill.[8] On the same day, an employee of the Liberal Party leaked a topless photo of her to the media from her appearance in The L Word.[9][10] Zann was elected in the 2009 provincial election[11][12] and served as the ministerial assistant for the Department of Tourism, Culture, and Heritage.[13] She was subsequently re-elected in the 2013 provincial election to represent the reconfigured electoral district, now called Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River.[14]

In that election the NDP was reduced to seven seats in the legislature and third-party status. Zann served as the NDP critic for Aboriginal affairs, community culture and heritage, community services, education, Human Rights Commission / status of women, and seniors and disabled.[15]

Zann introduced bill 111, the Environmental Racism Prevention Act, addressing the issue of environmental racism in Nova Scotia.[16] The bill was not considered by the house.

On June 12, 2015, Zann announced her bid for the leadership of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party.[17] On February 27, 2016, Zann was defeated in her leadership bid, losing to Gary Burrill on the second ballot.[18]

On June 9, 2019, Zann announced she would seek the Liberal nomination to succeed retiring Liberal MP Bill Casey in Cumberland—Colchester for the 2019 federal election.[19] She chose to leave the NDP for the Liberals because she believed the Liberals stood a better chance of winning.[20][21] She sat as an independent member in Nova Scotia's legislature as she sought the nomination.[22] Zann won the federal Liberal nomination on July 27, 2019, defeating three other candidates including Casey's constituency assistant.[23] She resigned her seat on September 12.[24]

During the 43rd Canadian Parliament, she introduced one private member bill, Bill C-230, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy to redress environmental racism which sought to require the Minister of the Environment to develop a national strategy which would examine the link between race, socio-economic status and environmental risk. It was brought to a vote on March 24, 2021, and advanced to committee stage with Liberal, NDP and Green Party members voting in favour. However, the parliament ended before the bill could be considered for third reading.[25][26]

In the 2021 federal election Zann lost her seat to Conservative candidate Stephen Ellis.[27]

Electoral record

Federal

2021 Canadian federal election: Cumberland—Colchester
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative Stephen Ellis 18,601 46.02 +10.34 $74,420.53
Liberal Lenore Zann 13,822 34.20 -2.49 $83,751.17
New Democratic Daniel Osborne 4,984 12.33 +0.34 $3,375.10
People's Bill Archer 1,687 4.17 +2.83 $1,941.16
Green Jillian Foster 1,045 2.58 -10.66 $813.26
Independent Jody O'Blenis 278 0.69 +0.37 none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 40,417 99.31 +0.28 $109,531.81
Total rejected ballots 279 0.69 -0.28
Turnout 40,696 60.13 -8.40
Registered voters 67,675
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +6.45
Source: Elections Canada[28][29]
2019 Canadian federal election: Cumberland—Colchester
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Lenore Zann 16,672 36.68 −27.05 $91,456.57
Conservative Scott Armstrong 16,219 35.69 +9.23 none listed
Green Jason Blanch 6,015 13.23 +9.67 $9,366.06
New Democratic Larry Duchesne 5,451 11.99 +6.28 $3,860.15
People's William Archer 608 1.34 New none listed
Independent Matthew V. Rushton 232 0.51 New none listed
Veterans Coalition Jody O'Blenis 144 0.32 New none listed
National Citizens Alliance Stephen J. Garvey 109 0.24 New none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 45,450 99.03   $104,050.86
Total rejected ballots 447 0.97 +0.59
Turnout 45,897 68.54 −2.51
Eligible voters 66,967
Liberal hold Swing −18.14
Source: Elections Canada[30]

Provincial

2017 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  New Democratic Party Lenore Zann 3,455 43.95
  Progressive Conservative Keltie Jones 2,512 31.96
  Liberal Craig Johnson 1,894 24.09
2013 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  New Democratic Party Lenore Zann 3,165 38.10
  Liberal Barry J. Mellish 2,682 32.20
  Progressive Conservative Charles Cox 2,470 29.70
2009 Nova Scotia general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  New Democratic Party Lenore Zann 4,147 48.40
  Progressive Conservative Hughie MacIsaac 2,607 30.42
  Liberal Bob Hagell 1,651 19.27
Green Kaleigh Brinkhurst 164 1.91

Filmography

Film (live-action)

Year Film Role Notes
1980 Hounds of Notre Dame Lila Petrie
1981 Happy Birthday to Me Maggie
1981 Black Mirror Julie
1982 Visiting Hours Lisa
1982 Murder by Phone Connie Lawson
1983 American Nightmare Tina
1984 That's My Baby! Sally
1985 Def-Con 4 J.J.
1985 Return Susan
1986 One Night Only Anne McGraw
1987 Prettykill Carrie
1987 The Girl Viveka
1988 Something About Love Sylvia
1989 The Amityville Curse Unknown Direct-to-video
1990 Back Stab Unknown
1993 Change of Heart Carmen
1994 Boozecan Sunny
1994 Cold Sweat Ghost
1995 Johnston... Johnston Queen Bee Short film
1996 Natural Enemy Gina Knox Direct-to-video
1998 Babyface Margaret
2007 Dirty Laundry Linda Short film
2008 Favorite Son Unknown
2010 Trigger Beebee
2014 Becoming Marilyn! Herself Documentary
2020 Stage Mother Bevette

Film (animated)

Year Title Role Note
1991 Tooth Fairy, Where Are You? Dottie Television film[31]
1999 Makai Tenshô: The Armageddon Queen Kasuga
2003 Rescue Heroes: The Movie Wendy Waters [31]
2005 My Little Pony: Friends are Never Far Away Star Catcher Direct-to-video
2005 My Little Pony: A Very Minty Christmas Short film
2012 Bratz: Desert Jewelz Alia [31]

Television (live action)

Year Title Role Notes
1982 Something's Afoot Hope Television film
1986 Mania: The Intruder Julie Somers Television film
1989 Rin Tin Tin: K-9 Cop Unknown Episode: "Jail Bait"
1989 Love and Hate: The Story of Colin and JoAnn Thatcher Lynne Television film
1989 Last Train Home Lily Manse Television film
1990 On Thin Ice: The Tai Babilonia Story Unknown Television film
1991 Conspiracy of Silence Soap Actress #1 Miniseries
1992 Teamster Boss: The Jackie Presser Story Betty Television film
1992 Beyond Reality Diane Episode: "Theatre of the Absurd"
1993 Gross Misconduct: The Life of Brian Spencer Diane Delana Television film
1993 The Hidden Room Amy Episode: "Transfigured Night"
1990-1993 Street Legal Nina Pascaras / Jean Rhomer Recurring role; 8 episodes
1994 Forever Knight Amber Episode: "Capital Offence"
1995 Rent-a-Kid Elaine Loman Television film
1996 Ed McBain's 87th Precinct: Ice Angie Television film
1996 Millennium Ruthie Bangs Episode: "The Well-Worn Lock"
1997 Police Academy: The Series Bonnie Episode: "Shopping with the Enemy"
1999 Lexx The Dark Lady Episode: "Woz"
1999 Pit Pony L.B. Collins Episode: "Famous"
2000 Personally Yours Josie TV movie
2001 Cold Squad Laurie Peters Episode: "The Box"
2001 Mysterious Ways Beverly Wilcox Episode: "A Time to Every Purpose"
2003 Andromeda Senator Bayliss Episode: "The Risk-All Point"
2004 Law & Order Tina Episode: "Veteran's Day"
2004 Kingdom Hospital Harriet 2 episodes
2004 The Chris Isaak Show Sharon Nesbick Episode: "Suspicion"
2006 'Til Death Do Us Part Nancy Seaman Episode: "Pilot"
2007 Love Notes Merry Television film
2008 The L Word Jackie Episode: "Look Out, Here They Come!"

Television (animated)

Year Title Role Notes
1992–1997 X-Men: The Animated Series Rogue Main role; 68 episodes
1993 Stunt Dawgs Sizzle [31]
1993–1994 Cadillacs and Dinosaurs Mikla Main role; 13 episodes[31]
1994 RoboCop: The Series Willa Episode: "Sisters in Crime"
1995 Spider-Man Rogue 2 episodes[31]
1996 Vor-Tech: Undercover Conversion Squad Unknown Credited as Lenore Zahn
1998 Salty's Lighthouse Aurora / Sunshine / Little Ditcher
1998 Mythic Warriors Persephone Episode: "Persephone and the Winter Seeds"[31]
1999 Arc the Lad Announcer / Kids
1999–2000 Avengers: United They Stand Tigra Main role; 13 episodes
1999–2002 Rescue Heroes Wendy Waters Main role; 32 episodes[31]
1999 Dual! Parallel Trouble Adventure Alice Sharome Recurring role
1999 Magic Knight Rayearth Caldina Recurring role; English dub[31]
2000 Gate Keepers Satoko Takanashi
2000 Dinozaurs Dino Ptera Recurring role
2000 Capertown Cops Unknown Recurring role; credited as Lenore Zahn
2000 Turtle Island Ingrid and Wormy
2001 Outlaw Star Aisha Clan-Clan English dub[31]
2001 Mobile Suit Gundam Crowley Hamon English dub
2001 Alienators: Evolution Continues Additional Voices
2001–2002 Mary-Kate & Ashley in Action! Renee La Rouge Recurring role; 6 episodes[31]
2001–2005 Dragon Tales Lorca 2 episodes
2003–2004 MegaMan: NT Warrior Roll Recurring role[31]
2003 The Mummy Anck Su Namun 4 episodes
2004–2006 Dragon Booster Kitt Wonn, Spynn Recurring role; 39 episodes[31]
2006–2008 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Chikara Shisho Recurring role; 10 episodes
2007 Serial Experiments Lain Reika [31]
2007–2009 Storm Hawks Master Cyclonis, Oracle, Lark, Statue, Marge Recurring role; 8 episodes[31]
2008–2011 Animal Mechanicals Island Owl Recurring role; 73 episodes[31]
2009–2011 WordWorld Bear, Kangaroo, Zebra, Owl, and Tiger Main role
2024 X-Men '97 Rogue Main role; 8 episodes[32][2]

Video games

Year Title Voice role Notes
1996 X-Men vs. Street Fighter Rogue / Birdy
1998 Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes Rogue
2000 The Misadventures of Tron Bonne Digger
2000 Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes Rogue / Birdy Uncredited
2004 The Fairly OddParents: Shadow Showdown Titania

References

  1. ^ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Winn Johnson, Michael (8 May 2024). "X-Men '97's Lenore Zann Opens Up About the Moment That Changed Rogue Forever". Den of Geek. Den of Geek. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Lenore Zann Biography (1959-)".
  4. ^ Zann, Lenore (January 30, 2015). "Croatia: Journey to my ancestral home". The Chronicle Herald. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  5. ^ Patches, Matt (November 12, 2021). "New X-Men cartoon set in the '90s Animated Series continuity coming to Disney Plus". Polygon. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  6. ^ Chaisson, Monique (July 20, 2008). "My kind of town: Actress Lenore Zann returns home full time after 31-year absence". The Truro Daily News. Archived from the original on February 6, 2018.
  7. ^ Malloy, Jason (September 9, 2008). "Turning the old Normal College into school for performing arts a possibility: Local actress pitches the idea to Truro town council". The Truro Daily News. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
  8. ^ "Zann requires no audition". The Chronicle Herald. April 15, 2009. Archived from the original on June 19, 2009. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  9. ^ Patten, Melanie (April 10, 2009). "Grits sorry for leaking topless pic of candidate". The Daily Gleaner. p. A5. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved 2009-04-10.
  10. ^ "NDP dismayed after Liberals circulate nude photo of candidate". CBC News. April 9, 2009. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  11. ^ "Truro-Bible Hill". Nova Scotia Votes 2009. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
  12. ^ "Actress wins her seat by a Zannslide". The Chronicle Herald. June 10, 2009. Archived from the original on June 13, 2009. Retrieved 2014-10-06.
  13. ^ "Premier Appoints Ministerial Assistants" (Press release). Government of Nova Scotia. June 29, 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-12.
  14. ^ "Zann triumphant despite red sweep across province". Truro Daily News. October 8, 2013. Archived from the original on October 9, 2014. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  15. ^ "Our Team". NSNDP site. Archived from the original on 2014-06-26.
  16. ^ "Status if Bills / Bills, Statutes, Regulations / Proceedings/ The Nova Scotia Legislature". Archived from the original on 2015-06-14. Retrieved 2015-06-13.
  17. ^ "Lenore Zann launches bid to lead NDP". The Chronicle Herald. June 12, 2015. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  18. ^ "Nova Scotia's New Democrats elect Gary Burrill as new leader". CBC News. February 27, 2016. Retrieved 2016-02-28.
  19. ^ "Lenore Zann seeks federal Liberal nomination for Cumberland-Colchester". CBC News. June 9, 2019. Retrieved 2019-06-09.
  20. ^ Prentiss, Marin (July 28, 2019). "Former NDP MLA Lenore Zann Wins Federal Liberal Nomination". CBC News. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  21. ^ Grant, Taryn (June 13, 2019). "Former Nova Scotia New Democrat Says She Wants to Join Trudeau Liberals to Fight the Political Right". The Star. Archived from the original on July 3, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  22. ^ "Longtime NDP MLA Lenore Zann to run for federal Liberal nomination". CTV News. June 9, 2019. Retrieved 2019-06-09.
  23. ^ "Former NDP MLA Lenore Zann wins federal Liberal nomination | CBC News".
  24. ^ Gorman, Michael (September 12, 2019). "Lenore Zann wrapping up at Province House to focus on federal run". CBC News. Retrieved 2019-10-04.
  25. ^ Cecco, Leyland (June 22, 2021). "New bill aims to force Canada to tackle 'systemic' environmental racism". The Guardian.
  26. ^ "Bill C-230 An Act respecting the development of a national strategy to redress environmental racism". Parliament of Canada. February 26, 2020.
  27. ^ Desai, Devika (September 21, 2021). "Here are five of the 2021 federal election's biggest losers". National Post. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  28. ^ "Election night results". Elections Canada. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  29. ^ "Candidate Campaign Returns". Elections Canada. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  30. ^ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Lenore Zann (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved January 12, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  32. ^ Lovett, Jamie (August 15, 2023). "X-Men '97 Cast Gives Season 2 Update". TV Shows. Retrieved January 12, 2024.