Deputy Minister Ian Thompson to Pursue Other Opportunities

PREMIER'S OFFICE--Deputy Minister Ian Thompson to Pursue Other Opportunities

• ---------------------------------------------------------------Deputy Premier Frank Corbett, today, June 27, announced that Ian Thompson, deputy minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, is leaving government to pursue opportunities in the private sector.

"I want to thank Ian for his tremendous work over the years, especially his efforts on the development and implementation of the province's jobsHere plan," said Mr. Corbett. "Ian leaves the province with a clear strategic path for creating good jobs and growing the economy and I wish him much success in the future."

Mr. Thompson joined government in January 2006, opening the Office of Nova Scotia in Ottawa. In January 2009, he was appointed deputy minister of the Department of Economic and Rural Development.

Prior to government, Mr. Thompson was a reporter, business owner and an executive with two energy utilities. He is a Dalhousie graduate and has been involved with local, national and international charitable and business organizations.

Mr. Thompson will stay on as deputy minister until the end of August.