Nova Scotia government eliminates communications department

The Nova Scotia government is scrapping its communications department.

The Nova Scotia government is eliminating its communications department and restructuring.

Premier Tim Houston’s press secretary says individual staff will instead be assigned to their respective departments.

Communications Nova Scotia Minister Leah Martin added the change is an opportunity to “enhance productivity, reduce duplication and streamline processes within the public service.”

“Nova Scotians want and deserve top-notch programs and services. The public service must evolve and seize the opportunity—I believe we have the talent and ideas within the system to do just that,” she said in a statement to CTV Atlantic.

The department had approximately 87 people on staff. It’s unclear how many may lose their jobs.

NDP Leader Claudia Chender says Communications Nova Scotia provided accurate, non-partisan information to Nova Scotians and the change means the “guard rails are gone” when it comes to public communications.

The department was created in April 1996, according to the Nova Scotia Archives.

With files from The Canadian Press

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