dexter volunteered for alexa mcdonough in her 1979 federal election campaign. dexter holds degrees in education and law from dalhousie university, and a degree in journalism from the university of king's college. he used his journalism degree for a period as a reporter for "the daily news" in the early 1980s. dexter also served in the canadian forces holding the rank of sub-lieutenant and was a combat information officer on board and while deployed with maritime forces pacific.