Nova Scotia's new 21-member cabinet sworn in at Halifax ceremony

Premier Tim Houston increased the size of his cabinet on Thursday at a ceremony that saw familiar faces moved, new faces introduced and the restructuring of several government departments.

Houston is part of a 21-member cabinet. His cabinet in 2021 had 19 people. Houston will be responsible for trade, priorities and planning, as well as intergovernmental affairs. As premier, he also serves as president of the executive council.

Barb Adams retains her responsibilities for seniors and long-term care and military relations. She also becomes deputy premier.

John Lohr is the province's new finance minister. He takes on responsibility for labour relations and maintains the municipal affairs portfolio.

Several former cabinet ministers dropped

Brendan Maguire is now the education minister. He's also responsible for advanced education, a portfolio formerly held by Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank MLA Brian Wong. Wong was not included in this cabinet.

Former education minister Becky Druhan trades that file for justice and becomes the province's new attorney general. Druhan, a lawyer before entering politics, is also responsible for the province's Office of Equity and Anti-Racism. 

Another former PC cabinet minister not included in the new group is Lunenburg MLA Susan Corkum-Greek.

Her former portfolio of economic development has been rebranded as Growth and Development, a new department that will also be responsible for housing. Argyle MLA Colton LeBlanc will be in charge of that, while maintaining his responsibilities for the Acadian Affairs and Francophonie division.

Tilley gets his cabinet post

In the biggest shakeup announced Thursday, former public works minister Kim Masland was moved to the Emergency Management Department.

Fred Tilley, the former Liberal MLA who crossed the floor less than a week before the election and made no secret of his cabinet aspirations, takes on Masland's former file of public works.

Tim Halman returns as environment and climate change minister, while taking on the service efficiency file, a portfolio formerly known as the Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Efficiency.

Digby MLA Jill Balser is the new minister responsible for Service Nova Scotia and cybersecurity and digital solutions. Shelburne MLA Nolan Young joins cabinet and takes on Balser's former file of labour, skills and immigration.

Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River MLA Dave Ritcey also got the cabinet call this time around, taking on the communities, culture, tourism and heritage file. He'll also be responsible for Gaelic affairs.

Community Services Department rebranded

The Community Services Department has been rebranded as Opportunities and Social Development. PC caucus newcomer Scott Armstrong, a former Conservative member of Parliament, gets that portfolio.

Leah Martin, the only other first-time MLA joining cabinet and the first Mi'kmaw member of the Nova Scotia Legislature, was named minister of Communications Nova Scotia, L'nu affairs, and the minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women Act and youth.

Cumberland South MLA Tory Rushton will continue as the natural resources minister, but his former energy file is being hived off and given to Richmond MLA Trevor Boudreau. Boudreau makes his return to cabinet after taking a leave for personal reasons during the last PC mandate.

The following cabinet ministers maintained their responsibilities from the previous mandate:

• Michelle Thompson: health, Office of Health-Care Professionals Recruitment, health-care redevelopment.

• Brian Comer: addictions and mental health.

• Greg Morrow: agriculture.

• Kent Smith: fisheries and aquaculture.

• Twila Grosse: African Nova Scotian affairs and the Public Service Commission.

Reporters blocked from ceremony

Thursday's ceremony was unique for several reasons.

It was the final public act for Lt.-Gov. Arthur LeBlanc before he leaves his post. It was also the first time in anyone's memory that reporters were not permitted to attend the ceremony, a move the government attributed to capacity issues at the Halifax Convention Centre.

Security was stationed at the doors of the building to ensure anyone entering had been invited. In another departure from the norm, the premier and cabinet ministers were not made available after the event, something Houston downplayed to reporters standing outside as he arrived.

"This is a really exciting day, you guys. You have lots of access. You guys know that, too."