Former premier Darrell Dexter, musician Joel Plaskett appointed to Order of Nova Scotia

Joel Plaskett performs at the 2018 East Coast Music Awards gala in Halifax on Thursday, May 3, 2018.

Musician Joel Plaskett and former premier Darrell Dexter are part of the latest class appointed to the Order of Nova Scotia.

Lt.-Gov. Mike Savage appointed five people to the highest honour in the province on Tuesday, according to a news release from the government.

“These Nova Scotians have made outstanding contributions to their professions and communities,” Savage said in the release. “Their meaningful contributions have directly benefited Nova Scotians and Canadians.”

Dexter, a lawyer, represented the Dartmouth-Cole Harbour (and later the Cole Harbour) riding as MLA from 1998 to 2013. He acted as leader of the provincial NDP from 2001 to 2013 and served as premier from 2009 to 2013.

Plaskett’s work as a musician has spanned decades with numerous acts, but he may be best known for the 2006 song “Nowhere With You.”

Other Order of Nova Scotia recipients for 2025 include Cape Breton business and community leader Rankin MacSween, philanthropist and entrepreneur John George (Jack) Flemming and human rights advocate Carolyn G. Thomas, who won the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers in 2008.

An investiture ceremony will be held at Government House in Halifax this spring.

The Order of Nova Scotia, which was established in June 2001, has invested 132 members.

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