Making it Happen: Lower Taxes, More Doctors, Higher Wages
On November 26, 2024, Nova Scotians elected a Progressive Conservative supermajority under the leadership of Premier Tim Houston. The Progressive Conservatives centered their campaign around a winning strategy to lower taxes, get more doctors, and provide Nova Scotians with higher wages.
Premier Tim Houston, along with 42 caucus members formed the 42nd Government of Nova Scotia. With this large of a caucus, it comes as no surprise that this government has more Cabinet Ministers appointed than in his previous government, totalling 21, including the Premier. Premier Houston’s previous government had 17 members of the Executive Council, including himself.
When choosing a Cabinet, the Premier must balance several factors, such as geographic, background, and expertise considerations. Outlined below are Nova Scotia's new Cabinet Ministers.
If you have any questions or concerns about how the new Cabinet and departmental mandates may impact your organization, please contact the Iris team to schedule a discussion.
Cabinet Ministers
Earlier today, Premier Tim Houston appointed the following MLAs to lead the various government departments and form the Executive Council.
Tim Houston
- Premier
- President of the Executive Council
- Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
- Minister of Priorities and Planning
- Minister of Trade
Barbara Adams
- Deputy Premier
- Deputy President of the Executive Council
- Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care
- Minister Responsible for Military Relations
John Lohr
- Minister of Finance and Treasury Board
- Minister of Labour Relations
- Minister of Municipal Affairs
Tim Halman
- Minister of Environment and Climate Change
- Minister of Service Efficiency
Kim Masland
- Minister of Emergency Management
Tory Rushton
- Minister of Natural Resources
Colton Leblanc
- Minister of Growth and Development
- Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie
Brian Comer
- Minister of Addictions and Mental Health
Michelle Thompson
- Minister of Health and Wellness
- Minister Responsible for the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment
- Minister Responsible for Healthcare Redevelopment
Jill Balser
- Minister of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions
- Minister of Service Nova Scotia
Greg Morrow
- Minister of Agriculture
Becky Druhan
- Attorney General and Minister of Justice
- Provincial Secretary
- Minister Responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism
Kent Smith
- Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Trevor Boudreau
- Minister of Energy
Twila Grosse
- Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs
Minister of the Public Service Commission
Brendan Maguire
- Minister of Advanced Education
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
Dave Ritcey
- Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
- Minister of Gaelic Affairs
Fred Tilley
- Minister of Public Works
- Minister Responsible for Sydney Tar Ponds Agency (NS)
Nolan Young
- Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration
Scott Armstrong
- Minister of Opportunities and Social Development
Leah Martin
- Minister of Communications Nova Scotia
- Minister Responsible for L’nu Affairs
- Minister Responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women Act
New Faces
Nova Scotia’s new cabinet has many familiar faces, in addition to a number of newly appointed members, including backbenchers from the previous government and newly elected MLAs from key districts, including:
- Leah Martin, MLA for Cole Harbour – and the first Mi’kmaq elected to the Nova Scotia Legislature
- Scott Armstrong, MLA for Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley
- Nolan Young, MLA for Shelburne
- Fred Tilley, Northside-Westmount
- Dave Ritcey, MLA for Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River