Deputy Ministers Appointed

Premier Russell MacLellan has announced two appointments in the most senior ranks of the civil service.

Patricia Ripley has been named deputy minister of the Priorities and Planning Secretariat, deputy minister responsible for the Premier's Office and deputy minister of Communications Nova Scotia. Dr. Ripley will remain deputy minister of the Petroleum Directorate.

Howard Windsor has been appointed deputy minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs.

Both Dr. Ripley and Mr. Windsor are long-time Nova Scotia civil servants.

Dr. Ripley was named a senior policy adviser to government in 1984. She served most recently as deputy minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. Previously she had been deputy minister of Community Services. Before joining government Dr. Ripley taught at Acadia University and the University of New Brunswick.

Mr. Windsor, a native of Sydney and a civil servant for more than 20 years has served as director of regional offices, Department of Environment; senior policy adviser at Priorities and Planning and assistant deputy minister at Housing and Municipal Affairs.

Premier MacLellan said, "These appointments are a reflection of the professionalism that is found in the ranks of the Nova Scotia civil service."

The premier also thanked Mr. Thompson, who served for 15 months as deputy minister for the premier, for Priorities and Planning and Communications Nova Scotia, for his guidance and dedication and wished him good luck. Mr. Thompson is returning to the private sector.

"Mr. Thompson was an invaluable member of my team and his return to private life is a loss to me and the people of Nova Scotia."

The appointments are effective Oct. 15.