News Release Archive
PREMIER--PREMIER SHUFFLES CABINET ----------------------------------------------------------------- EMBARGOED UNTIL 2:00 P.M. Premier John Savage today unveiled his new cabinet stressing jobs, growth in the economy and continued emphasis on providing all Nova Scotians with a well run, quality health care system. A total of 10 cabinet ministers changed portfolios, four remained in their existing cabinet positions, and two new ministers were added. Finance Minister Bernie Boudreau has been appointed the new Minister of Health. He replaces Dr. Ron Stewart who resigned from cabinet but continues to sit as the MLA for Cape Breton North. "As a key member of cabinet, Bernie has a solid track record of producing results. Key elements of health reform are now in place. Mr. Boudreau's main role will be to ensure that health care in Nova Scotia is well managed," the premier said. "A lot of unfair things have been said about Nova Scotia's health care system. The system has changed, but its changed for the better. We now have more than 16,000 Nova Scotians participating in home care, we have modernized emergency health care in the province, and we are letting communities decide how health dollars will be spent in their areas." Premier Savage said job creation is a major priority of the new cabinet. "While there are currently 21,000 more Nova Scotians working now than when we took office in 1993, there still remain high pockets of unemployment. The government is particularly concerned about youth unemployment in the province," he said. To spearhead Nova Scotia's job push, the Premier has appointed former Transportation and Public Works Minister, Richie Mann, to head up the Economic Renewal Agency. "Richie demonstrated vision and first rate administrative skills in running a very large and complex department. The same can be expected as he turns his focus to job creation and building the economy," Premier Savage said. In another key move, Justice Minister William Gillis takes over the Finance portfolio and continues to serve as Deputy Premier. Dr. Gillis has considerable experience in a number of major portfolios and is a former finance critic. "I'm extremely pleased that a person with Bill's experience and dedication is taking on the difficult job of Finance Minister. I'm confident he'll keep Nova Scotia on the course of fiscal stability set by his predecessor." Robbie Harrison, currently Minister of the Economic Renewal Agency, is the new Minister of Education. Mr. Harrison spent 22 years as a teacher and school administrator in the Annapolis Valley area. Human Resources Minister Jay Abbass is the new Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Mr. Abbass is a 1982 graduate of the Dalhousie University Law School. Business and Consumer Services Minister Don Downe is moving to the Department of Transportation and Public Works. John MacEachern, currently the Education Minister, is the new Minister of Community Services. Mr. MacEachern will also be responsible for overseeing labour market training as those programs are transferred from the federal government to the provinces. Labour Minister Guy Brown brings his extensive knowledge of rural issues to his new portfolio as Minister of Agriculture. Mr. Brown will also be a special advisor to the government on all issues affecting rural Nova Scotia. Sandy Jolly moves from Municipal Affairs to the relatively new Department of Business and Consumer Services. Ms. Jolly is a former Dartmouth businessperson. Community Services Minister, Dr. Jim Smith is the new Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. Among the ministers retaining their existing portfolios are Fisheries Minister Jim Barkhouse, Environment Minister Wayne Adams, Natural Resources Minister Eleanor Norrie, and Technology and Science Minister Gerald O'Malley. Manning MacDonald, a former mayor of Sydney and the MLA for Cape Breton South is one of two new faces in cabinet. He will be the new Minister of Labour. Allister Surette, the MLA for Argyle, enters cabinet as Minister of Human Resources. Premier Savage also announced that he will nominate former Agriculture Minister Wayne Gaudet, as Speaker of the Legislature when the House of Assembly resumes sitting this fall. Mr. Gaudet, the MLA for Clare, would be the first Nova Scotia-born Acadian Speaker of the Legislature. -30- Contact: David Harrigan 902-424-6600 ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- NOVA SCOTIA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL The Honourable John P. Savage Premier President of the Executive Council Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs The Honourable J. William Gillis Deputy Premier Deputy President of the Executive Council Minister of Finance Minister Responsible for the Gaming Corporation The Honourable J. Bernard Boudreau, Q.C. Minister of Health The Honourable John MacEachern Minister of Community Services Chairman of the Senior Citizens Secretariat Minister Responsible for the Disabled Persons Commission Act The Honourable James A. Smith, M.D. Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs The Honourable Richard W. Mann Minister Responsible for the Economic Renewal Agency Minister Responsible for the Voluntary Planning Act The Honorable Sandra L. Jolly Minister of Business and Consumer Services Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Gaming Control Commission Minister Responsible for the Liquor Control Act Minister Responsible for the Boxing Authority The Honourable Don Downe Minister of Transportation and Public Works The Honourable Wayne Adams Minister of the Environment Minister Responsible for Emergency Measures The Honourable Robert S. Harrison Minister of Education and Culture The Honourable Eleanor Norrie Minister of Natural Resources Minister Responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women Minister Responsible for the Women's Directorate The Honourable Guy Brown Minister of Agriculture and Marketing The Honourable James A. Barkhouse Minister of Fisheries The Honourable Jay F. Abbass Attorney General and Minister of Justice Minister Responsible for the Human Rights Act Minister Responsible for Sport and Recreation The Honourable Gerald J. O'Malley Minister Responsible for Technology and Science The Honourable Manning MacDonald Minister of Labour Minister Responsible for the Sydney Steel Corporation Minister Responsible for the Workers' Compensation Act The Honourable Allister Surette Minister of Human Resources Minister Responsible for the Youth Secretariat (Halifax, NS. Thursday, June 27, 1996) ----------------------------------------------------------------- trp June 27, 1996 - 1:35 p.m.