Tim Halman's swearing-in ceremony for his new role as finance minister and deputy premier quietly took place on Oct. 24.Keith Doucette/The Canadian Press
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 by-election and was re-elected in 2013, 2017, and 2021.
The Opposition Liberals on Friday also announced the departure of three caucus veterans.
In a news release, Liberal Leader Zach Churchill said Lorelei Nicoll, Tony Ince, and Rafah DiCostanzo will not be running in the next provincial election.
“While they retire, I’m excited that there are new candidates coming up behind them and adding to the diversity of our team,” Churchill said. “I can’t wait to get to work alongside them in the upcoming provincial election.”