Premier Hamm Names New Cabinet

Premier John Hamm today, Aug. 15, announced the 14 MLAs who will join him in cabinet. The 15-member Executive Council will be sworn in and assume office on Monday, Aug. 18.

"This strong team will allow government to build on the foundation of the past four years," said Premier Hamm. "We are looking to the future and we are ready to build something even better."

Premier Hamm noted that the new political landscape in Nova Scotia requires a team that understands the importance of co- operation.

"Nova Scotia needs a team that is decisive in facing the challenges of today and tomorrow and a team that will never lose sight of the priorities of Nova Scotians," Premier Hamm said.

Notable additions to the new cabinet include a Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs, a position that fulfills a commitment. The establishment of a minister responsible for Human Resources will allow government to build on the talents and experience of the public service and enhance government's relationships with public sector unions.

"I believe that government should lead by example, develop progressive human resource policies that challenge our managers and unionized employees alike and recommit to our public sector to make Nova Scotia a model for the rest of Canada," said Premier Hamm.

In selecting his cabinet, Premier Hamm said he sought representation from across the province, a balance of MLAs with a diverse mix of personal experience and perspectives.

"Our caucus is full of strong representatives, any of whom would make outstanding ministers," Premier Hamm said. "This is a team for all Nova Scotians, all regions, all communities."

As Premier, Mr. Hamm will also serve as President of the Executive Council and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.

Hants West MLA Ron Russell, the most experienced member of cabinet, will take on the duties of Deputy Premier, Minister of Transportation and Public Works and Minister responsible for the Insurance Act. First elected to the legislature in 1978 and re- elected in each of seven successive elections, Mr. Russell previously held several cabinet posts, including Minister of Health, Consumer Affairs, Management Board, Solicitor General and Labour. He has been Speaker of the Nova Scotia legislature on three separate occasions and was the first MLA elected Speaker by his legislative peers.

The Minister of Economic Development is Ernest Fage. A farmer, Mr. Fage was first elected as MLA for Cumberland North in a 1997 byelection and re-elected in 1998, 1999 and 2003. He will also take on the responsibilities of Minister responsible for Nova Scotia Business Incorporated.

Michael Baker's almost 20 years in the practice of law equips him well for his responsibilities as Attorney General and Minister of Justice. In addition to his law practice and extensive community involvement, Mr. Baker is a former member of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and a former member of the board of directors of Marine Atlantic. He was elected to the Nova Scotia legislature in 1998 as MLA for Lunenburg and was re-elected in 1999 and 2003. Mr. Baker will also act as chair of Treasury and Policy Board, Minister responsible for the Human Rights Act and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.

Jamie Muir is the Minister of Education. Mr. Muir's extensive experience in the field of education includes a term as former principal of the Nova Scotia Teachers College, a faculty member of the education department at St. Francis Xavier University and Director of Inspection Services for the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Inspector of Schools in the Cumberland, Colchester and Hants East area. He is also the Minister responsible for the Youth Secretariat Act.

The Minister of Finance is Bedford MLA Peter Christie. A certified management accountant and a former mayor of Bedford, Mr. Christie was elected to the Nova Scotia legislature for the first time in 1999 and was re-elected in 2003. He has served as Minister of Community Services and Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

Rodney MacDonald continues on as Minister of Tourism and Culture and Minister of Health Promotion. With an enlarged budget, the Office of Health Promotion will carry on its efforts in areas such as preventative health, wellness and addiction services. Mr. MacDonald also assumes responsibility for the Heritage Property Act and the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission. Mr. MacDonald is a teacher and a professional musician.

The Minister of Health is Antigonish MLA Angus MacIsaac. First elected to represent the people of Guysborough in 1969, Mr. MacIsaac was re-elected in 1970. He returned to the Nova Scotia legislature in 1999, where he has served as Minister for Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations and Minister of Education. He will also act as chair of the Senior Citizen's Secretariat. Mr. MacIsaac is a former teacher.

Kings South MLA David Morse remains in the position of Minister of Community Services and Minister responsible for the Disabled Persons Commission. A former insurance broker, Mr. Morse was first elected to the Nova Scotia legislature in 1999 and was re- elected this year. He has also served as Minister of Environment and Labour.

Cape Breton North MLA Cecil Clarke is Minister of Energy. First elected to the Nova Scotia legislature in a March 2001 byelection, Mr. Clarke has extensive community involvement and is a former Minister of Economic Development.

Queens MLA Kerry Morash is a new addition to the cabinet, taking up the post of Minister of Environment and Labour. He is also the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Act (except Part II) and assumes responsibility for the Utility and Review Board. Mr. Morash is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional with almost two decades of experience as the safety co-ordinator at Bowater Mersey. He was first elected to the Nova Scotia legislature in 1999 and was re-elected this year. He served as government caucus chair in 2002-03.

Hammonds Plains-Upper Sackville MLA Barry Barnet is the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, Minister responsible for the Residential Tenancies Act and assumes the newly created position of Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs. Lucasville, one of Nova Scotia's most historic African Nova Scotian communities, is located in Mr. Barnet's constituency. A former Halifax Regional Municipality councilor, Mr. Barnet was first elected to the Nova Scotia legislature in 1999.

Richard Hurlburt, MLA for Yarmouth, is the Minister of Natural Resources. He is a businessman and was a long-time municipal councilor. Mr. Hurlburt was first elected to the Nova Scotia legislature in 1999.

Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, the newly elected MLA for Lunenburg West, is Minister of Human Resources, Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission and Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women Act. A small business owner, Ms. Bolivar-Getson has been a municipal councilor since 1997.

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries is newly elected Argyle MLA Chris d'Entremont. He is a former broadcaster and executive assistant to former Finance Minister Neil LeBlanc. Mr. d'Entremont is also the Minister of Acadian Affairs, a role that will be especially important as Nova Scotia hosts the Congres Mondial Acadien in 2004.

Members of the Executive Council will be sworn into government during a ceremony at Province House on Monday, Aug. 18. The public is invited to attend.