N.S. Premier Tim Houston reveals new cabinet, department names

N.S. premier reveals new cabinet Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston unveiled his new 21-member cabinet on Wednesday.

Premier Tim Houston revealed the new cabinet and department names for the Nova Scotia government at a swearing-in ceremony on Thursday.

Houston, who swept back into power with a 43-seat supermajority in the provincial election last month, unveiled the 21-member cabinet. His previous cabinet had 17 members prior to the election.

The cabinet reveal was accompanied by several name changes to departments. The Department of Economic Development is now the Department of Growth and Development. It will also include Housing.

The Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Efficiency is now simply Service Efficiency. The Department of Community Services is now the Department of Opportunities and Social Development.

Houston shuffled the cabinet and reassigned multiple roles. Timothy Halman, who was appointed deputy premier last October, is now the minister of Service Efficiency. He will also remain as minister of Environment and Climate Change.

Barbara Adams is now the deputy premier and deputy president of the executive council. She will continue as minister of Seniors and Long-term Care and as the minister responsible for Military Relations.

Fred Tilley, who crossed the aisle from the Liberals to the Progressive Conservatives prior to the election, will lead the Department of Public Works, taking over the position from Kim Masland, who will serve as minister of the Department of Emergency Management.

Other cabinet positions include:

The 65th General Assembly of Nova Scotia was sworn-in at the Province House on Tuesday. The NDP brought in nine MLAs while the Liberals had two.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.