Cabinet
The current cabinet consists of 21 members of the Executive Council. The cabinet members are displayed in order of precedence.
The cabinet is the decision-making authority of the executive branch of government. It is responsible for government administration and policy.
Honourable Tim Houston
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Minister of Trade
Honourable Barbara Adams
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Deputy Premier
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Deputy President of the Executive Council
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Minister responsible for Military Relations
Honourable John Lohr
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Minister of Labour Relations
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Minister responsible for the Credit Union Act
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Minister responsible for the Insurance Act and the Insurance Premiums Tax Act
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Minister responsible for the Liquor Control Act
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Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation
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Minister responsible for Part I of the Gaming Control Act
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Minister responsible for the Securities Act
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Minister responsible for the Utility and Review Board Act
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Minister responsible for the Chartered Professional Accountants Act
Honourable Michelle Thompson
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Minister responsible for the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment
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Minister responsible for Healthcare Redevelopment
Honourable Jill Balser
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Minister responsible for Part II of the Gaming Control Act
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Minister responsible for the Residential Tenancies Act
Honourable Greg Morrow
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Minister responsible for the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission Act
Honourable Becky Druhan
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Provincial Secretary
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Minister responsible for the Elections Act
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Minister responsible for the Human Rights Act
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Minister responsible for the Regulations Act
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Minister responsible for Part II of the Workers' Compensation Act
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Minister responsible for the Retail Business Designated Day Closing Act
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Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Police Complaints Commissioner
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Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Police Review Board
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Minister responsible for the Accessibility Act
Honourable Dave Ritcey
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Minister responsible for the Heritage Property Act
Honourable Fred Tilley
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Minister responsible for the Sydney Steel Corporation Act
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Minister responsible for the Build Nova Scotia Act
Honourable Nolan Young
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Minister responsible for the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act
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Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Act (except Part II)
Appointment & membership
The cabinet, formally the Executive Council, is made up of members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor on the advice of the premier. The Lieutenant Governor may appoint a president, deputy president and ministers to the Executive Council. By tradition, the president of the Executive Council is the premier.
Membership in the Executive Council is by appointment, and as such, a member does not necessarily have to be an elected Member of the House of Assembly.
When a general assembly dissolves, Members of the House of Assembly cease to be members, but members of the Executive Council continue in their appointed positions until they either resign or a new member is sworn-in in their place.
Members of the Executive Council may use the honorific “The Honourable” before their name and the initials E.C.N.S. after their name to indicate their membership. These privileges are also accorded to honorary members of the Executive Council.
Oaths
An appointment to the Executive Council becomes official when the member is sworn-in. Appointees must swear the ministerial oath of allegiance and oath of office. If a minister’s responsibilities change, the minister does not have to swear the oaths again.
Typically, new members of the Executive Council are sworn-in at Government House, residence of the Lieutenant Governor.
