N.S. Premier Tim Houston and 18 ministers — including 7 women — sworn into office

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and his 18 cabinet ministers were sworn into office today during a ceremony in Halifax.

The cabinet of Progressive Conservative ministers includes seven women after Houston said last week he would address gender parity in the executive council.

Newcomer Michelle Thompson gets the high-profile health portfolio and is tasked with overseeing the major Tory campaign pledge to fix the ailing health system by recruiting more doctors and reducing ambulance wait times.

Barbara Adams will take on the new Department of Seniors and Long Term Care, while newcomer Jill Balser will be the minister of the new Department of Labour Skills and Immigration.

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Former interim leader Karla MacFarlane is the new minister of Community Services, while rookie member Becky Druhan is the minister of education.

1:28 Tim Houston sworn-in as Nova Scotia premier

Veteran Cape Breton member Allan MacMaster is deputy premier and gets the all-important finance portfolio while Brad Johns becomes justice minister and Tim Halman is the new minister of environment and climate change.

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A full list of the cabinet is as follows:

• Tim Houston: Premier, president of the executive council, Minister of Trade and the Minister responsible for Intergovernmental Affairs and the Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness.
• Allan MacMaster: Deputy premier, Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, the Minister of Gaelic Affairs and the Minister responsible for Labour Relations.
• Michelle Thompson: Minister of Health and Wellness and will oversee the newly-created Office of Health Care Professionals Recruitment.
• Brian Comer: Responsible for the Office of Mental Health and Addictions and Minister responsible for Youth and Communications Nova Scotia.
• Barbara Adams: Responsible for the new Department of Seniors and Long-term Care.
• Karla MacFarlane: Minister of Community Services and Minister responsible for the Status of Women and the Office of L’nu Affairs.
• Jill Balser: Minister of Labour Skills and Immigration and responsibility for Apprenticeship.
• Brian Wong: Leading a separate Department of Advanced Education.
• Becky Druhan: Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development.
• Pat Dunn: Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage. He’ll also have responsibility for African Nova Scotian Affairs, the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives and the Voluntary Sector.
• Susan Corkum-Greek: Minister of Economic Development.
• Greg Morrow: Minister of Agriculture.
• Steve Craig: Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
• Brad Johns: Minister of Justice and Attorney General. He’s also responsible for Elections Nova Scotia, the Human Rights Commission and the Accessibility Act.
• John Lohr: Minister for the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Responsible for the Emergency Management Office and Military Relations.
• Kim Masland: Leading the Department of Public Works, formerly Transportation and Active Transit.
• Tory Rushton: Minister of the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, combining the former Departments of Lands and Forestry and Energy and Mines.
• Tim Halman: Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Chair of Treasury Board.
• Colton LeBlanc: Public Service Commission, Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services, and Acadian Affairs and Francophonie.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 2021.