Chataway Leaves Housing and Municipal Affairs

PREMIER'S OFFICE--Chataway Leaves Housing and Municipal Affairs

• ---------------------------------------------------------------Maintaining public confidence in government continues to be a priority, Premier John Hamm said today, announcing that John Chataway has relinquished the Housing and Municipal Affairs portfolio.

"Nova Scotians need to have confidence that their government is always acting in the public interest," said Premier Hamm. "Questions that arose concerning Mr. Chataway's record as a landlord could erode that confidence, relative to his duties as housing minister. Therefore, today he has relinquished those duties."

The premier said the decision came today, after discussion with the minister, and both agreed the province would best be served by Mr. Chataway giving up the responsibility for Housing and Municipal Affairs.

"We had a good talk and both agree that his ability to carrying out his duties, specifically as minister of housing and municipal affairs, has been eroded," said the premier.

Mr. Chataway will stay on as minister of human resources.

"He has accepted that we are setting a new standard for accountability," said Premier Hamm.

Mr. Chataway agreed on the action and the commitment to maintain public confidence. He will still address the substance of the questions that have arisen about his former property holdings at a later time.

The premier has asked Environment and Labour Minister Ron Russell to temporarily assume responsibility for Housing and Municipal Affairs while he considers permanent reassignment of those duties. An announcement on that will come next week.