SYDNEY, N.S. - A former Tory cabinet minister in Nova Scotia has been given the nod to run for the Conservatives in the federal election.

Cecil Clarke received the party's nomination for Sydney-Victoria at a meeting Sunday.

The seat is currently held by Liberal MP Mark Eyking.

Clarke resigned his seat in the Nova Scotia legislature last week.

He was first elected in Cape Breton North in 2001 and held several cabinet posts in the former Tory government, including minister of economic development, energy and justice.

Clarke first announced his intentions to seek the federal Conservative nomination last summer.