HALIFAX — Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston announced a cabinet shuffle Friday, appointing Tim Halman as finance minister and deputy premier.
In a brief statement, Houston said Halman will retain the environment portfolio as he replaces Allan MacMaster who resigned as finance minister and deputy premier on Thursday.
Houston said Halman is a valued member of the cabinet who will “fight for what’s right for Nova Scotians.”
“I know he will bring the same hard work and dedication to his new portfolios,” he said.
Halman’s swearing-in ceremony quietly took place on Thursday.
The cabinet change comes as speculation mounts about a snap provincial election call as early as this weekend.
MacMaster, meanwhile, said in a statement on Facebook that he wants to seek the federal Conservative nomination in the riding of Cape Breton—Canso—Antigonish. He said he will remain member of the provincial legislature for Inverness, but will resign if he wins the federal nomination.
“With the strong potential of a government change in Ottawa, it will be important for our region to be represented by someone with experience at the highest levels of government,” MacMaster said. “It was an honour to be part of Premier Houston's cabinet for the past three years.”
MacMaster was first elected as a Progressive Conservative member of the legislature in a 2009 byelection and was re-elected in 2013, 2017, and 2021.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 25, 2024.
Keith Doucette, The Canadian Press
