Premier McNeil Welcomes New Executive Council

Published by the Premier's Office

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

At a ceremony in Annapolis Royal today, Oct. 22, Stephen McNeil was sworn in as the 28th Premier of Nova Scotia. Premier McNeil also welcomed 15 colleagues to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia at the ceremony.

Quotes

I am deeply humbled and honoured that the people of Nova Scotia have asked me to form a new government in our province. The task before us will have its challenges, but I am eager to begin work -- to build strong families and stronger businesses from one end of Nova Scotia to the other. Premier Stephen McNeil

The executive council for our new provincial government represents a diverse mix of regions, cultures, experiences and educational backgrounds. Each member is dedicated and committed to the job ahead. We will work tirelessly to address the needs of all citizens throughout Nova Scotia; citizens of all ages, in all regions, and of all cultural backgrounds. Premier Stephen McNeil

Quick Facts

  • The premier and the new cabinet were sworn in by Lt.-Gov. J.J. Grant.
  • Premier McNeil said the executive council will be focused on the top priorities and key challenges facing our province.
  • Diana Whalen was sworn in as the Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance and Treasury Board. The Treasury Board office and the Department of Finance will be merged. Ms. Whalen, a former Halifax councillor, was first elected in 2003 and has a masters of business administration and is a certified management accountant.
  • Lena Diab becomes Nova Scotia's first woman Attorney General and Minister of Justice. She is also the Minister of Immigration. Ms. Diab has been practicing Law for over 20 years in Halifax.
  • Former deputy speaker Leo Glavine is the Minister of Health and Wellness, and Minister of Seniors. Mr. Glavine, a former educator and high school administrator, was first elected in 2003 and has served as critic for a number of portfolios.
  • Well-known educator Karen Casey is Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. Ms. Casey was first elected in 2006 and has served as minister of Health and Education.
  • Kelly Regan is Minister of Labour and Advanced Education as well as the Minister responsible for Advisory Council on the Status of Women. Ms. Regan was first elected in June 2009 and has served as the Official Opposition critic for a number of portfolios.
  • Joanne Bernard is the Minister of Community Services and the Minister responsible for the Disabled Persons' Commission Act. The former executive director of Alice Housing has dedicated much of her life to work in the private sector and was awarded the Peter F. Drucker Award for Non Profit Management in Canada.
  • Keith Colwell is the Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. He was first elected in 1993 and was a former Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Minister of Consumer Services (now Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations) as well as holding many other cabinet responsibilities.
  • Michel Samson is the Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, Minister of Acadian Affairs and the Minister responsible for Nova Scotia Business Inc., and the Innovation Corporation Act. He was first elected in 1998 at 25, becoming the second youngest member elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. In December 1998, he was named Environment Minister, and became the youngest cabinet minister in the history of the province.
  • Andrew Younger is the Minister of Energy and Minister of Communications Nova Scotia. He will also be responsible for Part I of the Gaming Control Act. The former HRM councillor and business owner has served on a number of House of Assembly committees as well as critic for a number of portfolios.
  • Tony Ince is the Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage and the Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs. He is involved in several volunteer organizations and has a strong commitment to issues affecting youth, seniors and others facing challenges.
  • Zach Churchill is the Minister of Natural Resources. Mr. Churchill, who was Saint Mary's student union president for two years, also served as national director of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, representing more than 300,000 students across Canada.
  • Mark Furey is the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, Minister responsible for Part II of the Gaming Control Act, and the Minister responsible for the Residential Tenancies Act. The 32-year veteran of the RCMP served with detachments throughout Nova Scotia and was the district commander for Lunenburg County.
  • Labi Kousoulis is the Minister of the Public Service Commission, Minister of Information Management and Minister of the Voluntary Sector. Mr. Kousoulis has run a successful small business for 12 years.
  • Randy Delorey, who was a professor in the faculty of business at St. FX University, is the Minister of Environment and Minister of Gaelic Affairs.
  • Geoff MacLellan is the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. He is also the Minister responsible for the Sydney Steel Corporation Act and the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency.
  • Premier McNeil will also serve as the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of Planning and Priorities, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, and Minister responsible for Military Relations.

Learn More

Media Contacts

Ryan Grant
902-237-4485
E-mail:

Images

Back row, from left: Andrew Younger, Geoff MacLellan, Zack Churchill, Randy Delorey, Tony Ince, Joanne Bernard, Lena Diab, Labi Kousoulis, Mark Furey. Front row, from left: Diana Whalen, Keith Colwell, Michel Samson, Premier Stephen McNeil, Lt.-Gov. J.J. Grant, Joan Grant, Leo Glavine, Karen Casey, Kelly Regan.
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Well-wishers greet Premier Stephen McNeil with a sign in Annapolis Royal.
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Premier Stephen McNeil hugs a well-wisher after the swearing-in ceremony.
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Premier Stephen McNeil walks with a group to the public reception in Annapolis Royal after being sworn in as the 28th Premier of Nova Scotia.
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Premier Stephen McNeil sign his oath with Lt.-Gov. J.J. Grant and provincial deputy minister David Darrow.
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Premier Stephen McNeil smiles after sign his oath with Lt.-Gov. J.J. Grant and provincial deputy minister David Darrow.
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Premier Stephen McNeil welcomes deputy premier and Finance Minister Diana Whalen to executive council.
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Premier Stephen McNeil welcomes Economic and Rural Development and Tourism and Acadian Affairs Minister Michel Samson to executive council.
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Premier Stephen McNeil signs after Labour and Advanced Education and Status of Women Minister Kelly Regan takes her oath.
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Energy and Communications Nova Scotia Minister Andrew Younger signs as Premier Stephen McNeil and Lt.-Gov. J.J. Grant look on.
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Premier Stephen McNeil signs after Communities, Culture and Heritage and African Nova Scotian Affairs Minister Tony Ince takes his oath.
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Premier Stephen McNeil greets well-wishers in Annapolis Royal.
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The Halifax Boys Honour Choir performs at an afternoon reception at Province House in Halifax.
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Premier Stephen McNeil high fives a member of the Halifax Boys Honour Choir after they performed at a repletion for the Executive Council at Province House.
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Videos

Executive Council Ceremony

Audio

Stephen McNeil was sworn in as the 28th Premier of Nova Scotia today by Lt.-Gov. J.J. Grant in Annapolis Royal.
The new executive council or cabinet was also sworn in by Lt.-Gov. Grant.
Premier McNeil was delighted to be in Annapolis Royal, once the seat of government in the province.
He says the province is vibrant, diverse and multicultural, which is reflected in the new government.
Premier McNeil says the government will work tirelessly to address the needs of all Nova Scotians.