New Cabinet Sworn In

Premier Russell MacLellan has named a new Executive Council. The 12-member cabinet -- Nova Scotia's smallest since 1971 -- was sworn into office this morning at Province House by Lt.-Gov. James Kinley.

The new cabinet has nine members, including the premier, who served in the previous Executive Council, and three new ministers. The new ministers are Keith Colwell, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and Minister of Business and Consumer Services; Clifford Huskilson, who assumes the Transportation and Public Works portfolio; and Russell MacKinnon, Minister of Labour.

The new government's goal is an economically stronger, more socially active Nova Scotia, the premier said, pledging an accountable, pay-as-you-go administration that offers taxpayers value for money.

"A minority government requires a skilful, sensitive and committed executive team -- a team of community leaders who are prepared to earn the trust of the people through great work and solid performance. Today, I can assure Nova Scotians they have such a team," the premier said following the swearing-in ceremony.

Don Downe, who represents Lunenburg West in the House of Assembly, was named Minister of Finance, Minister of the Environment, and Deputy Premier. Mr. Downe also assumes cabinet responsibility for Aboriginal Affairs and for the Nova Scotia Gaming Corp. His previous cabinet experience includes Transportation and Public Works, Business and Consumer Services, and Natural Resources. Mr. Downe was first elected to the legislature in 1993.

Manning MacDonald retains his cabinet responsibilities as Minister of Economic Development and Tourism and Chairman of the Priorities and Planning Committee of Cabinet. The Cape Breton South MLA also retains cabinet responsibility for the Sydney Steel Corp., for Communications Nova Scotia and for InNOVAcorp. Mr. MacDonald, who was first elected in 1993, held those posts in the previous government and, before that, served as Labour Minister.

Health Minister Jim Smith retains that portfolio and has also been named Attorney General and Minister of Justice. Dr. Smith represents Dartmouth East in the House of Assembly. He is a former Minister of Community Services and former Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. Dr. Smith has been a member of the legislature since 1984.

Education and Culture Minister Robbie Harrison continues in that portfolio, and has also been named Technology and Science Minister and Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission. The MLA from Kings South, Mr. Harrison was first elected in 1993 and previously held the Environment and Economic Renewal portfolios.

Clare MLA Wayne Gaudet has been named Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, Minister of Human Resources and Minister responsible for Acadian Affairs. Mr. Gaudet was first elected to the House of Assembly in 1993, and served previously as Minister of Agriculture and Marketing, Minister of Business and Consumer Services, and Speaker of the legislature.

Ed Lorraine remains Minister of Agriculture and Marketing, the post he held in the previous cabinet. Mr. Lorraine represents Colchester North in the legislature, a seat he held from 1981 to 1984, and again from 1988 to the present. Mr. Lorraine, a beef farmer, served many years as warden of Colchester County.

Kennie MacAskill continues as Minister of Natural Resources, the portfolio he assumed in July of last year. Mr. MacAskill, who represents Victoria in the House of Assembly, has been given added responsibilities for the Nova Scotia Gaming Control Commission, the Liquor Control Act and the Emergency Measures Organization. He was first elected to the legislature in 1988.

Bedford-Fall River MLA Francene Cosman continues to hold the Community Services portfolio she assumed in July 1997. Ms. Cosman is also Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women and chairs the Senior Citizens Secretariat. She was first elected to the House of Assembly in 1993.

Russell MacKinnon represents Cape Breton West in the legislature. In addition to the Labour portfolio, he has responsibility for workers' compensation. Mr. MacKinnon was first elected in 1988.

Clifford Huskilson has represented Shelburne in the House of Assembly since 1993 and is entering the Executive Council for the first time in the Transportation and Public Works post.

Keith Colwell was also first elected in 1993 and represents the Halifax County riding of Eastern Shore. He enters cabinet for the first time, with two portfolios, Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Business and Consumer Services.

Premier MacLellan said his new government will rest on the "twin pillars of fiscal responsibility and sound social policies.

"Nova Scotians will have a government that listens to the people and makes decisions with them as well as for them. Under my leadership, a new Nova Scotia, economically stronger and more socially active, will redefine its position within our great Canadian Confederation."

Premier MacLellan pledged that the government will co-operate with the other parties in the legislature to identify, introduce and pass legislation important to Nova Scotians.

PREMIER'S Office--Members of the Executive Council

HONOURABLE RUSSELL MacLELLAN, QC
Premier
President of the Executive Council
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Minister responsible for the Petroleum Directorate

HONOURABLE DONALD R. DOWNE<br/>
Deputy President of the Executive Council
Minister of Finance
Minister of the Environment
Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs
Minister responsible for the administration of
Part I of the Gaming Control Act

HONOURABLE MANNING MacDONALD
Minister of Economic Development and Tourism
Chair of Priorities and Planning Secretariat
Minister responsible for the Business Development
Corporation
Minister responsible for Communications Nova Scotia
Minister responsible for the Innovation Corporation Act
Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Marketing
Agency
Minister responsible for the Sydney Steel Corporation
Act

HONOURABLE JAMES A. SMITH, MD
Attorney General and Minister of Justice
Minister of Health
Minister responsible for the administration of the
Human Rights Act
Minister responsible for the Disabled Persons
Commission Act
Minister in charge of the Regulations Act

HONOURABLE ROBERT S. HARRISON<br/>
Minister of Education and Culture
Minister responsible for the Technology and Science
Secretariat
Minister responsible for the administration of the
Youth Secretariat Act
Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Sport and
Recreation Commission

HONOURABLE WAYNE GAUDET<br/>
Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs
Minister of Human Resources
Minister responsible for Acadian Affairs
Minister in charge of the administration of the
Heritage Property Act

HONOURABLE EDWARD LORRAINE<br/>
Minister of Agriculture and Marketing

HONOURABLE KENNETH MacASKILL
Minister of Natural Resources
Minister responsible for the administration of Part II
of the Gaming Control Act
Minister responsible for the administration of the
Liquor Control Act
Minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Act
Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Boxing
Authority

HONOURABLE FRANCENE COSMAN<br/>
Minister of Community Services
Chair of the Senior Citizens Secretariat
Minister responsible for the administration of the
Advisory Council on the Status of Women Act

HONOURABLE RUSSELL MacKINNON
Minister of Labour
Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Act

HONOURABLE CLIFFORD B. HUSKILSON<br/>
Minister of Transportation and Public Works

HONOURABLE KEITH W. COLWELL<br/>
Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Minister of Business and Consumer Services
Minister in charge of the Residential Tenancies Act