New Deputy Minister of Environment

Scott Farmer has been appointed the new deputy minister of Environment, replacing Frances Martin who retires on April 30. Mr. Farmer has served as associate deputy minister of Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services since 2015.

Premier Stephen McNeil announced the appointment today, April 16.

“Mr. Farmer is an innovator and relationship builder whose leadership skills will help Nova Scotia continue its fight against climate change and grow a strong, green economy,” said Premier McNeil. “He has big shoes to fill in replacing Ms. Martin, who helped the province become a national leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and in setting some of the most ambitious environmental goals in North America.”

Mr. Farmer’s appointment is effective May 1.

“It is an exciting time to join the Department of Environment,” said Mr. Farmer. “I believe the best way to continue our progress is by working together, with our partners and all Nova Scotians who have helped advance the province’s sustainable environmental, social and economic goals.”

Premier McNeil also thanked Rollie King, associate deputy minister of Labour Relations with the Public Service Commission, for his service.

“Over the course of his career, Mr. King has led negotiations on hundreds of collective agreements for public sector employees,” said Premier McNeil. “I want to thank him for the leadership and wise counsel he has consistently provided to our government and wish him the very best in his retirement and in all that his future brings.”

Mr. King retires on April 30.

Quotes:

“It is a privilege to work in the public service, and I am particularly pleased to have started and ended my government career within the Department of Environment. The people I’ve worked with, inside and outside of government, are second to none, and I have been honoured to work with them in promoting a sustainable future for our province for generations to come.”

– Frances Martin, deputy minister, Department of Environment

“It has been a pleasure and an honour to have served the province over the last seven years. I am truly humbled by the trust and confidence placed in me. I will miss working with the many proud and passionate public servants of Nova Scotia.”

– Rollie King, associate deputy minister of Labour Relations, Public Service Commission

Quick Facts:

• a lawyer by training, Mr. Farmer has an engineering diploma and Bachelor of Commerce from Mount Allison University and his law degree from Dalhousie University. He was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1996
• before joining the provincial government in 2007, Mr. Farmer worked in corporate development and regulatory affairs at Bell Aliant and as a lawyer in a Halifax law firm
• Ms. Martin has worked for the provincial government for almost 30 years. After beginning her career in the Department of Environment, she held senior positions in various government departments, including associate and acting deputy minister of Health and Wellness. She began serving as deputy minister of Environment in February 2015
• Mr. King joined the provincial government in 2013. He began his career as a teacher and administrator at the school board level before moving into the health sector, working as assistant director, Labour Relations and Salary Administration for Health Association Nova Scotia