Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, 18 ministers sworn into office

Nova Scotia's 30th premier and his 18 cabinet ministers were sworn into office on Tuesday afternoon in downtown Halifax.

“This team will be focused on taking action on the things Nova Scotians have clearly told us are important to them,” said Premier Houston in a news release. “I'm very proud of the talented, committed people we've selected, and I know they will work hard for Nova Scotians. We will find solutions that move us forward, together.”

The Progressive Conservatives won a majority government mandate in the Aug. 17 election after running on a platform of improving the provincial health-care system.

The PCs hold 31 seats, the Liberals hold 17 seats, the NDP hold six seats and an Independent holds one seat.

Seven out of the PC's 18 cabinet ministers are women, after Premier Houston said he was aiming to reach gender parity.

Premier Houston will serve as minister of trade, intergovernmental affairs and have responsibility for the Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness.

Veteran Inverness MLA Allan MacMaster will be the deputy premier and will also have responsibility for Finance and Treasury Board, Gaelic Affairs and Labour Relations.

MacMaster previously served as House leader for the PCs in opposition, and was a senior advisor to former premier Rodney MacDonald.

Michelle Thompson, who was a nurse for 29 years and served as the CEO of Antigonish's RK MacDonald Nursing Home, will take on the role of minister of health and wellness.

The other cabinet ministers include:

• Brian Comer: Office of Mental Health and Addictions; Youth; Communications Nova Scotia
• Barbara Adams: Seniors and Long-term Care
• Karla MacFarlane: Community Services; Status of Women; Office of L'nu Affairs
• Jill Balser: Labour Skills and Immigration; Apprenticeship
• Brian Wong: Advanced Education
• Becky Druhan: Education and Early Childhood Development
• Pat Dunn: Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage; African Nova Scotian Affairs; Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives; Voluntary Sector
• Susan Corkum-Greek: Economic Development
• Greg Morrow: Agriculture
• Steve Craig: Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Brad Johns: Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Elections Nova Scotia, Human Rights Commission and Accessibility Act
• John Lohr: Municipal Affairs and Housing, Emergency Management and Military Relations
• Kim Masland: Public Works (formerly Transportation and Active Transit)
• Tory Rushton: Natural Resources and Renewables, Lands and Forestry, Energy and Mines
• Tim Halman: Environment and Climate Change, also chair of Treasury Board
• Colton LeBlanc: Public Service Commission, Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services, Acadian Affairs and Francophonie

“I'm looking forward to working with these ministers and the people working in health care to fix the issues that Nova Scotians all over this province consistently identified at the doorstep — health care, mental health and seniors' care,” Premier Houston said. “There's a shortage of family doctors, a lack of mental health support and people are waiting far too long for surgery and long-term care beds. This is the team I've tasked with finding solutions.”

Premier Houston's vision for Nova Scotia includes three goals: hope for health care, universal mental health care and dignity for seniors.

Hope for health care will focus on patient care, recruitment and retention of doctors and shorter surgery wait times.

Universal mental health care includes a plan that treats mental health care like physical health care.

Finally, dignity for seniors will bring a plan for more beds and staff in long-term care facilities.

Premier Houston also has a vision for advancing the province's workforce to improve the local economy.

Some other parts of the premier's vision include ensuring every household has high-speed internet, working with employers to offer better pay cheque guarantee and doubling Nova Scotia's population by 2060.

The premier also plans to focus on trades.

He hopes to eliminate all taxes on the first $50,000 of earnings for workers aged 30 years and under in designated trades.

He also plans to double opportunities for high schoolers to take skills trade studies and update the curriculum to help students find jobs that meet the needs of their communities.