Changes in the senior ranks of the Nova Scotia Public Service

 

On February 23, 2021, Premier Iain Rankin announced changes to the senior ranks of the public service.

New appointments

Name   Previous position   New position  
Andrea Anderson Executive Director, Public Service Commission Public service commissioner
Cathy Berliner ADM of Municipal Affairs and Housing Deputy minister at the new Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives
Jennifer Church Executive Director, Office of Strategy Management Associate deputy minister, Department of Inclusive Economic Growth; ADM Office of Strategy Management
Ava Czapalay ADM, Labour and Advanced Education CEO and deputy minister for the Office of Immigration and Population Growth
Kelliann Dean CEO of the Office of Immigration and Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Deputy minister of Finance and Treasury Board and retains IGA portfolio
Eiryn Devereaux Senior executive in the Government of Nunavut Deputy minister of the new Department of Infrastructure and Housing
Scott Farmer DM, Department of Environment Deputy minister, Department of Inclusive Economic Growth
Jason Hollett Executive Director of Climate Change, Nova Scotia Department of Environment Associate Deputy minister, Department of Environment and Climate Change
Justin Huston Deputy minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage and CEO of Aboriginal Affairs Deputy minister of the Department of Municipal Affairs, DM of Office of L’nu Affairs (formerly Aboriginal Affairs)
Paul Lafleche Deputy minister, Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Deputy minister, Department of Transportation and Active Transit, and also takes on deputy minister duties at the Department of Lands and Forestry
Nicole Johnson Morrison CEO of EduNova Associate deputy minister of Labour and Advanced Education
Késa Munroe-Anderson Director of Race Relations, Human Rights Commission Deputy minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage
Julie Towers Deputy minister, Department of Lands and Forestry Deputy minister, Department of Environment and Climate Change

Leaving government

Name Current position   Future plans    
Byron Rafuse DM of Finance Well deserved retirement after 37 years in the public service
 
The Lieutenant Governor and the newly sworn-in Executive Council of Nova Scotia (the Cabinet). Photo: Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia

The Lieutenant Governor and the newly sworn-in Executive Council of Nova Scotia (the Cabinet). Photo: Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia

 

Changes to Executive Council

The lieutenant-governor also swore in Premier Iain Rankin and his new Cabinet. The new cabinet is as follows:

  • Premier Rankin will also serve as president of the Executive Council and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness. He is Minister of the Office of L’nu Affairs, formally the Office of Aboriginal Affairs, and responsible for youth, military relations and the Office of Citizen-Centered Approaches.

  • Kelly Regan becomes Deputy Premier. The veteran minister retains her position as Minister of Community Services with responsibility for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women. She also takes on the Department of Seniors.

  • Labi Kousoulis is the province’s new Minister of Finance and Treasury Board and Minister of Inclusive Economic Growth, the renamed Department of Business. He is also responsible for trade.

  • Randy Delorey is Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Minister of Labour Relations.

  • Keith Irving, MLA for Kings South, was appointed Minister of Environment and Climate Change. The newly named department recognizes the importance of climate change to government policy and decision making. Mr. Irving will also serve as Chair of Treasury and Policy Board.

  • Ben Jessome, MLA for Hammonds Plains-Lucasville, becomes Minister of the Public Service Commission.

  • Brendan Maguire, MLA for Halifax Atlantic, is the province’s new Minister of Municipal Affairs.

  • Zach Churchill, whose previous portfolios included the departments of Education and Early Childhood Development and Municipal Affairs, becomes Minister of Health and Wellness. He will oversee the new Office of Mental Health and Addictions.

  • Chuck Porter returns to cabinet as Minister of Lands and Forestry and Energy and Mines, and Derek Mombourquette becomes Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development.

  • Tony Ince returns to cabinet to lead the new Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives, in addition to retaining responsibility for the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs. He also adds Communications Nova Scotia to his portfolio.

  • Lena Metlege Diab will serve as minister for Immigration and Population Growth. She remains as Minister of both Labour and Advanced Education and Acadian Affairs and Francophonie.

  • Geoff MacLellan will lead the new Department of Infrastructure and Housing.

  • Lloyd Hines will be Minister of Transportation and Active Transit.

  • Keith Colwell continues as Minister of Agriculture and of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

  • Patricia Arab retains her role as Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services.

  • Suzanne Lohnes-Croft remains as Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage and Gaelic Affairs and adds responsibility for the Voluntary Sector to her portfolio.

Premier-designate The Honourable Iain Rankin takes the Executive Council Oath to become the 29th Premier of Nova Scotia and President of the Executive Council of Nova Scotia (ECNS). Photo: Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia

Premier-designate The Honourable Iain Rankin takes the Executive Council Oath to become the 29th Premier of Nova Scotia and President of the Executive Council of Nova Scotia (ECNS). Photo: Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia

 
IPAC Nova Scotia