Career
He obtained 40 per cent of the popular vote and was the first NDP candidate ever elected in the district. A resident of Amherst since 1988, Skabar is a retired public servant. He spent the majority of his government career as a social worker and also in management positions with Health Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs.
On June 29, 2009, Skabar was appointed Ministerial Assistant to the Nova Scotia Office of Aboriginal Affairs, and on March 15, 2013 he was appointed Ministerial Assistant of Intergovernmental Relations and Nova Scotia/New Brunswick Company-operation.
In the 2013 election, Skabar finished third in Cumberland North, losing the seat to Liberal Terry Farrell.