Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston named an expanded 21-member cabinet today during a ceremony that was closed to reporters.
The newly re-elected Progressive Conservative premier will be joined by cabinet veterans John Lohr, who becomes finance minister, Becky Druhan, who moves from education to justice, and Michelle Thompson, who continues as minister of health.
The cabinet has five new members, including political newcomer Leah Martin as minister of Communications Nova Scotia and L’ nu affairs and Fred Tilley, a former Liberal who crossed the floor just before the Nov. 26 election and becomes minister of public works.
Other new cabinet ministers include Dave Ritcey in the tourism portfolio, Nolan Young, who is minister of labour, and Scott Armstrong as minister of opportunities and social development — formerly the Department of Community Services.
In another departmental change, veteran minister Colton LeBlanc will head the new Department of Growth and Development, which was formerly known as economic development and will now also oversee housing.
Before the election, in which the Tories won 43 of the legislature’s 55 seats, Houston led a 17-member cabinet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024.