Andrew Younger sworn back in to cabinet after shuffle
Only change to cabinet McNeil has made until today was to drop Andrew Younger in March
Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil has sworn Andrew Younger back into his cabinet.
Today marks the first time McNeil has shuffled his cabinet since his government defeated the NDP in 2013. However, he did drop Younger in March of this year.
McNeil announced that Younger will be taking over the Department of Environment portfolio.
The premier also announced today that Diana Whalen, who had been managing the finance portfolio, has switched to the justice portfolio.
Randy Delorey will be the new minister of finance for Nova Scotia.
The premier also announced that Lena Diab will move from the Department of Justice but keep the immigration portfolio.
Zachary Churchill is no longer the minister of natural resources. He takes over the Department of Municipal Affairs from Mark Furey.
The premier also announcement that Lloyd Hines has been appointed to cabinet. The new appointee with take over the natural resources portfolio.
Younger, the Dartmouth East MLA, left cabinet after a former Liberal staffer was accused of assaulting him.
The cabinet shuffle was announced in the Red Chamber at Province House this morning.
Provincial Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie said the shuffle fails to address problems in Nova Scotia's health care system.
"Administration costs are ballooning while ERs and mental health beds close, wait times grow and the doctor and nurse shortages are spreading. The mental health system is in crisis," Baillie said.
"Today, the premier has proven that either he doesn't get it or he's not prepared to deal with it."
Baillie also questioned McNeil's decision to add another member to his cabinet. "It sends the wrong message for the premier to add another cabinet minister to his inner circle, at a time when he's telling everyone else to cut back."
The CBC's Blair Rhodes live blogged from the announcement.