Major Changes to Senior Public Service

Premier John Hamm announced changes to senior executive positions with the Nova Scotia government today, Dec. 18.

"Nova Scotians expect their government to work hard at their top priorities of better health care and education by keeping the province's economy growing and living within our means," said the premier. "I am making these changes to the senior public service to ensure that our team will meet these critical goals over the next 12 months and beyond."

Howard Windsor is the new deputy minister to the premier, deputy minister of Treasury and Policy Board and Communications Nova Scotia. A public servant for more than 25 years, Mr. Windsor has previously served as deputy minister for several departments since 1998, including Housing and Municipal Affairs, Tourism and Culture, Transportation and Public Works and Finance. Mr. Windsor is a graduate of Dalhousie University and holds a master's degree in political science.

"I am delighted that Howard Windsor's talents and experience will be applied to the most critical public service post in government," said the premier.

Vicki Harnish is the new deputy minister of Finance. A graduate of Mount Saint Vincent University and Dalhousie University, Ms. Harnish has worked for the Nova Scotia government for more than 29 years. Currently serving as deputy minister of Treasury and Policy Board and commissioner of the Public Service Commission, Ms. Harnish has previously worked as secretary to the Executive Council.

Replacing Ms. Harnish as commissioner of the Public Service Commission is health-care management consultant Rick Nurse. A graduate of Memorial University and the University of Toronto, Mr. Nurse brings 25 years of experience as president and chief executive officer of some of Atlantic Canada's most respected health-care organizations - including 10 years as head of the IWK Health Centre.

"Nova Scotians are well served when their government is able to complement a strong senior public service with new executives from outside government ranks," added the premier.

Kelliann Dean is the new deputy minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, replacing Michele McKenzie, who was named this fall as the new president of the Canadian Tourism Commission. For the last two years, Ms. Dean has served as vice president of business development for Nova Scotia Business Incorporated, the province's business development agency. She holds a bachelor of public relations degree from Mount Saint Vincent University and a master's degree in business administration from Saint Mary's University.

Paul Taylor is the new chief executive officer for Nova Scotia Economic Development, replacing Robert (Bob) MacKay, who has indicated his desire to retire in 2004. As executive director of transportation, utilization and policy at the Department of Energy and the Petroleum Directorate, Mr. Taylor co-chaired the development of Seizing the Opportunity, the province's comprehensive energy strategy. A public servant since 1982, Mr. Taylor holds a bachelor of science degree (honours) in geology from Dalhousie University and a master's degree in business administration from the University of British Columbia.

Over the next several months, Mr. MacKay will work as a senior adviser to the premier and cabinet on several corporate projects, drawing on his extensive expertise and experience in the fields of energy, economic development, education and federal-provincial relations.

Dan Graham is the new deputy minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. A graduate of the University of New Brunswick, Mr. Graham has worked for the Nova Scotia government for more than 21 years, including the last five years as deputy minister of Natural Resources.

Meanwhile, current deputy minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Peter Underwood will take over new duties as deputy minister of Natural Resources. A 19-year public servant, Mr. Underwood has also served as deputy minister of Environment and deputy minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. He holds a bachelor of science degree and a law degree from Dalhousie University, as well as a master's degree in science from State University of New York.

Dalhousie law professor Bill Lahey has been named deputy minister of Environment and Labour, replacing Ron L'Esperance who is leaving government for the private sector.

A former clerk to the Supreme Court of Canada and Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, Mr. Lahey holds a bachelor of arts degree from Mount Allison University, a bachelor of law degree from Oxford and master's degree in law from the University of Toronto. He also has seven years of experience working for the government of Nova Scotia, including terms as assistant deputy minister of Health and director of corporate services with the former department of Human Resources.

The new assignments are effective Jan. 1, 2004, with the exception of Mr. Nurse, who will assume his new duties on Feb. 1, 2004, and Mr. Lahey, who will start on June 1, 2004. In the meantime, Gordon MacLean, executive director of employee relations with the Nova Scotia Public Service Commission, will serve as acting commissioner while Murrin Leim, director of policy with the department of Environment and Labour, will serve as acting deputy minister.

"I will be considering additional changes to the senior public service over the next six months to ensure government stays focused on the priorities of Nova Scotians," said the premier.