News release

Departmental, Ministerial Changes Announced

Premier's Office

NOTE: A social media version of this release, including hi-res, downloadable photos, video and audio clips, is available at http://gov.ns.ca/news/smr/2011-01-11-Ministerial-Changes/ .

Premier Darrell Dexter, today, Jan. 11, announced departmental and ministerial changes that will ensure government continues to fulfill its commitment to improve health care, create good jobs and grow the economy.

Premier Dexter made changes to cabinet and restructured government departments to better distribute the workloads of ministers, ensure more effective service delivery to meet the needs of Nova Scotians and to help deliver on government's key commitments.

"Government is making significant progress and is on track to fulfill commitments," said Premier Dexter. "I look forward to continue working with my colleagues in cabinet and caucus to continue to make life better for people across this province."

Premier Dexter announced that Dave Wilson and Charlie Parker will join cabinet.

Mr. Wilson is the Minister of the new Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage. This department will focus on the diverse needs of communities across the province while preserving and promoting Nova Scotia's rich and diverse heritage and culture.

Public libraries in Nova Scotia will move from the Department of Education to Communities, Culture and Heritage. The offices of Acadian Affairs, Gaelic Affairs, and African Nova Scotia Affairs will be integrated into this new department for administrative purposes. Each office will continue to be represented by its own minister. Mr. Wilson also becomes the Minister responsible for the Gaming Corporation and Part 1 of the Gaming Control Act.

Mr. Parker will become the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of Energy. Mr. Parker resigned today as Speaker of the House, a position he has held since June 2009.

"I want to welcome Dave and Charlie to cabinet," said Premier Dexter. "Both members are extremely hard working and have a reputation for getting things done. I know they will be a great asset to the team and will share in the workload of ministers and help implement our strategic and aggressive plans to provide better health care, create good jobs, and grow the economy."

Premier Dexter also announced other departmental and ministerial changes, effective immediately.

  • Maureen MacDonald is minister of the Department of Health and Wellness. This department will merge the departments of Health and Health Promotion and Protection to provide better health care to Nova Scotians. The merger will streamline operations and ensure better integration between the prevention and treatment sides of health care. An associate deputy minister of Wellness will be appointed in the months to come to deal with issues related to health prevention and promotion.

  • John MacDonell is Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. The Alcohol and Gaming Division will move to Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations as it conducts similar work in licensing, permits, enforcement and providing front-line service to the public. This merger will lead to a greater efficiency and improved client service.

  • Marilyn More is minister of the Department of Labour and Advanced Education as well as the Minister of both Immigration and Status of Women. Post-secondary education will be transferred from the Department of Education to this new department to provide adult learners and employers one point of contact for all aspects of learning, including universities, community colleges and workforce training and development. For administrative purposes, the offices of Immigration and Status of Women will be integrated into the department.

  • Percy Paris is minister of the Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. The department will now be home to provincial-related tourism activities to bring a sharper focus to tourism as an economic driver in Nova Scotia. The province's Gateway Secretariat and all trade-related policy within government, including fisheries, agriculture, energy, NSBI, and intergovernmental affairs, will fall under the responsibility of the department. In addition, NSBI field staff from across the province will join the department to better align the services of Nova Scotia's economic development agencies and to improve service to clients.

  • Ramona Jennex is the Minister of Education. The department will focus exclusively on the education and development of young Nova Scotians from grades primary to 12 to ensure they continue to receive an excellent education.

  • Ross Landry is the Minister of the Emergency Management Office. This office is being transferred to the Department of Justice for administrative purposes.

"I want to recognize the work of all my cabinet and caucus colleagues over the past year and a half," said Premier Dexter. "As we start a new year, I am confident that we have the right teams in place across government to ensure we continue to make Nova Scotia one of the best places to live, work, run a business, and raise a family."

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