Three weeks after losing the Nova Scotia election to Progressive Conservative leader Tim Houston, Liberal Leader Iain Rankin has announced his Liberal MLA critic roles.
The Liberals elected 17 MLAs on Aug. 17. The Progressive Conservatives elected a majority government with 31 seats, while the NDP scooped up six.
In a release from the Liberal party, Rankin described his MLAs as “the strongest opposition in the province’s history.”
Rankin, along with being the leader of the official opposition, will also become the critic for the office of L’nu Affairs, Gaelic Affairs, Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness and Youth.
Yarmouth MLA Zach Churchill, who has previously served as Health Minister and Education Minister, is the new deputy leader of the opposition as well as the critic for Health and Wellness and Health Care Professionals Recruitment.
Former deputy premier and Community Services minister Kelly Regan will be the new chair of the public accounts committee and critic for the Finance and Treasury Board, Seniors and Long-term Care.
Sydney-Membertou MLA Derek Mombourquette will serve as house leader and the critic for Education and Early Childhood Development.
Brendan Maguire, MLA for Halifax Atlantic, is the new deputy house leader and critic for Community Services, Poverty and Homelessness.
- Alberta to overhaul municipal rules to include sweeping new powers, municipal political parties
- Grocery code: How Ottawa has tried to get Loblaw, Walmart on board
- Military judges don’t have divided loyalties, Canada’s top court rules
- Norad looking to NATO to help detect threats over the Arctic, chief says
Fairview-Clayton Park’s Patricia Arab is the caucus whip and the critic for the office of Mental Health and Addictions, Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services.
Keith Irving of Kings South will be caucus chair, critic for Environment and Climate Change and Agriculture.
Tony Ince, former minister for African Nova Scotian Affairs, will become the critic for that role as well as for the Public Service Commission.
Hammonds Plains-Lucasville MLA Ben Jessome is the new critic for Advanced Education and Military Relations.
Rafah DiCostanzo, MLA for Clayton Park West, is the critic for Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage and Voluntary Sector.
New MLAs
Rookie MLA for Clare, Ronnie LeBlanc, is the new critic for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Acadian Affairs and Francophonie, while fellow new MLA Fred Tilley of Northside-Westmount serves as critic for Economic Development.
Former Halifax councillor-turned-MLA Lorelei Nicoll will be the critic for Municipal Affairs and Housing, Emergency Management Office and the Status of Women.
New Preston MLA Angela Simmonds will be critic for Justice, Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives, Human Rights Commission and Accessibility Act.
First-time Halifax Armdale MLA Ali Duale will be critic for Labour, Skills and Immigration, while Bedford South MLA Braedon Clark is the new critic for Public Works and Communications Nova Scotia.
And Carman Kerr, the new MLA for Annapolis, is the critic for Natural Resources and Renewables.
“I’m extremely proud to have such a diverse cast of talent and expertise forming our Official Opposition,” said Rankin in the release.
“We have a vital role to play as the critical check on the Houston government. Our critics will be vigilant in questioning government actions, ensuring promises made are promises kept.”
Comments