nova scotia tourism minister

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New cabinet to deliver solutions for nova scotians.

Tim Houston was sworn in as Nova Scotia’s 30 th   premier today, Aug. 31. A 19-member cabinet, with women leading the largest departments, will help deliver on the priorities of Nova Scotians.

Lt.-Gov. Arthur J. LeBlanc presided over the ceremony at Halifax’s Convention Centre, which followed COVID-19 protocols.

“This team will be focused on taking action on the things Nova Scotians have clearly told us are important to them,” said Premier Houston. “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 cabinet and refocused government departments reflect the premier’s vision for better health care, universal mental health services, dignity for seniors, rebuilding the economy and more and better paying jobs.

The premier will also serve as President of the Executive Council, the Minister of Trade and the Minister responsible for Intergovernmental Affairs and the Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness.

Allan MacMaster will be the deputy premier and will also be the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, the Minister of Gaelic Affairs and the Minister responsible for Labour Relations.

Michelle Thompson will become the Minister of Health and Wellness. She will also oversee a newly created Office of Health Care Professionals Recruitment.

Brian Comer assumes responsibility for the Office of Mental Health and Addictions. He’ll also be the Minister responsible for Youth and Communications Nova Scotia.

Barbara Adams takes on the new Department of Seniors and Long-term Care.

Karla MacFarlane is the new Minister of Community Services and Minister responsible for the Status of Women and the Office of L’nu Affairs.

Jill Balser will be the Minister of Labour Skills and Immigration and have responsibility for Apprenticeship. Brian Wong will lead a separate Department of Advanced Education.

Becky Druhan will be the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development.

Pat Dunn will return to cabinet as the Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage, which assumes responsibility of Tourism Nova Scotia. He’ll also have responsibility for African Nova Scotian Affairs, the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives and the Voluntary Sector.

Susan Corkum-Greek will be the new Minister of Economic Development.

Agriculture will be led by Greg Morrow. Steve Craig will be the new Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Brad Johns is the new Minister of Justice and Attorney General. He’s also responsible for Elections Nova Scotia, the Human Rights Commission and the Accessibility Act.

John Lohr is the Minister for the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing. He’ll also have responsibility for the Emergency Management Office and Military Relations.

Kim Masland will lead the Department of Public Works, formerly Transportation and Active Transit.

Tory Rushton becomes Minister of the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, combining the former Departments of Lands and Forestry and Energy and Mines.

Environment and Climate Change will be led by Tim Halman who has also been appointed Chair of Treasury Board.

Colton LeBlanc takes on the Public Service Commission, Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services, and Acadian Affairs and Francophonie.

View Official Government Website for Full Release

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April 21, 2021 IIHF 2021 Event Cancelled – April 21, 2021 Read More

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June 8, 2022 Province Partnering with Industry on Strategic Plan for Tourism Growth Read More

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Canada’s tourism minister predicts industry will help offset tough economic times

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Canada’s tourism minister is predicting turbulent economic times are ahead but says the industry will make a strong comeback despite difficult pandemic years.

Randy Boissonnault joined hundreds of business leaders from across the province on Wednesday for the 2022 Tourism Summit in Halifax.

Boissonnault says Canada is heading into choppy waters when it comes to the economy, but the tourism industry will help offset the effects.

He cites the war in Ukraine, ongoing supply chain issues and the rise in inflation as some of the factors pointing to a slowing of the economy.

He says Halifax’s tourism is already in a good place to help weather the storm.

“Nova Scotia is doing really well just from the hotel occupancy rate,” according to Boissonnault. “Nova Scotia hotels are at about 71 per cent, which is higher than the Canadian average, which is about 65 per cent. So that tells you there’s something special in Nova Scotia. People want to see the province. They want to come to Halifax. It’s a regional powerhouse city.”

John Simon is the president of CanadVac Travel Services. He’s not so sure the industry has fully recovered from the pandemic.

“I wouldn’t say I’m 100 per cent convinced of that yet,” Simon says.

“A lot of the tourism operators have come through with significant challenges in terms of debt load, making it through two years and more of no income. Of course, the federal programs helped in terms of making it through but they also put them in a position of a lot of debt. So a recession on top of that debt – even if the tourism industry is rebounding – is going to make it challenging for those tourism operators over the longer term to survive.”

The President of Tourism HR Canada says another problem is that the industry has lost a significant chunk of its workforce since the pandemic.

“It’s a real significant challenge for the industry for sure,” Philip Mondor says. “Although there is a lot of demand for growth and recovery, we’re hampered by the fact that we do not have enough workers to fill all of the roles we have.”

There were 2.1 million workers pre-pandemic, according to Mondor. That number is now down to 1.67 million workers.

Scott MacAulay with the Inverary Resort in Cape Breton says his business has had a terrific year and he’s optimistic for the future.

“There’s a pent-up demand for travel,” he says. “People seem to be able to find a way with the product we have in Nova Scotia with the great outdoors and lots of wide-open spaces. People feel comfortable and safe.”

He recommends if a business is struggling to try and adapt to what people are looking for after pandemic years, including offering more outdoor activities all season.

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TOURISM SECTOR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR NOVA SCOTIA

A FRAMEWORK FOR TOURISM GROWTH

The Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS) and Tourism Nova Scotia (TNS) are co-leading the development of a tourism sector strategic plan that will inspire a broader approach to economic growth and quality of life in Nova Scotia. The plan will establish a new vision for tourism, taking into consideration the needs of businesses and organizations, Nova Scotians and their communities, and traveller preferences and expectations.

Through engagement with industry, government, and community representatives, the strategic plan will be a framework everyone can use to guide their actions and investments in the coming years to build a strong and sustainable tourism industry. The plan will consider factors such as seasonality, product, people, quality, and the interconnectivity between tourism and the social, cultural, and economic health of the province.

DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

The development of the strategic plan will be led by a project team made up of representatives from TIANS and TNS and guided by an Oversight Committee comprised of government and industry representatives. There will be broad engagement with the tourism industry and communities with multiple opportunities to provide input throughout the development process.

ANTICIPATED TIMELINE

Summer-Fall 2022 Development of Terms of Reference and Establishment of Oversight Committee

NOVEMBER 2022 RFP Issued for Project Consultant

MARCH 2023 Onboarding of Project Consultant

APRIL 2023 Analysis of Current Industry Research

MAY 2023 Individual Interviews with Industry Experts

MAY 30-31, 2023 Engagement Session at TIANS Annual General Meeting

JUNE 6-9, 2023 Tourism Sector Focus Groups (Virtual)

FALL 2023 – Winter 2024 In-person Regional Meetings

WINTER 2024 Online Survey

SPRING 2024 Announcement of Sector Strategic Plan

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Tourism businesses and organizations, as well as community members, will have the opportunity to provide input into the sector strategic plan in a variety of ways. Engagement will be conducted online and in person to offer many options to participate. They include :

INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS

The project team identified Industry Experts representing all sectors within the tourism industry as well as government, finance, and workforce development. Interviews were completed in spring 2023.

VIRTUAL FOCUS GROUPS

Virtual focus groups were held with representatives from each sector within the tourism industry:

• Accommodations (hotels, resorts, cottages, B&B’s, campgrounds, etc.): Tuesday, June 6
• Food and Beverage (restaurants, fine dining, café’s, coffee shops, food trucks, pubs, bars, wineries, craft brewers, etc.): Tuesday, June 6
• Transportation and Travel Services (airports, air carriers, ferries, car rental, bus/coach, rail, tour operators, step-on guides, visitor information services, tourism organizations, etc.): Wednesday, June 7
• Government & Infrastructure (various municipal, provincial, and federal agencies and representatives): Wednesday, June 7
• Attractions, Outdoor Activities, Sport and Recreation (parks, boat tours, golfing, sport fishing, biking, hiking, trails, whale watching, etc.): Thursday, June 8
• Arts, Culture, Heritage and Events (museums, theatres, performing arts, galleries, festivals, events, cultural experiences and attractions, etc.): Thursday, June 8

IN PERSON REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

Industry and community members participated in seven in-person regionals engagement sessions and three Mi’kmaw engagement sessions:

Yarmouth Thursday, December 7, 2023 Tru Hotel, 10588 Starrs Rd, Yarmouth

Wolfville Thursday, January 18, 2024 Old Orchard Inn 153 Greenwich Rd S, Wolfville

Truro Friday, January 19, 2024 Inn On Prince Hotel & Conference Centre 437 Prince St, Truro

Baddeck Wednesday, January 24, 2024 Inverary Resort 368 Shore Rd, Baddeck

Antigonish Thursday, January 25, 2024 Claymore Inn and Suites 137 Church St, Antigonish

Halifax Wednesday, January 31, 2024 Halifax Convention Centre 1650 Argyle St, Halifax

Bridgewater Wednesday, February 7, 2024 Best Western Plus 527 Nova Scotia Trunk 10, Bridgewater

Mi’kmaw Engagement Sessions

Niktuipukwek (Millbrook) Tuesday, February 20, 2024 Millbrook Cultural and Heritage Centre 65 Treaty Trail

Weskewinaq (Digby) Thursday, March 21, 2024 10am – 3pm Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa 103 Shore Road

Maupeltu (Membertou) Wednesday, April 3, 2024 10am-3pm Membertou Trade & Convention Centre 50 Maillard Street

The online survey

An online survey was conducted in March and April 2024 to assess perceptions of Nova Scotia’s current performance as a travel destination and identify the top priorities to be addressed within the strategic plan.

THE PROJECT TEAM

• Darlene Grant Fiander , President, TIANS
• Darlene MacDonald , Executive Director, TNS, a division of Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage (CCTH)

OTHER MEMBERS INCLUDE

• Tanice Mundle , Executive Assistant, TIANS
• Lisa Dahr , Director of Industry Relations and Professional Development, TIANS
• Anna Moran , Director of Research, Planning & Decision Support, TNS
• Afton Doubleday , Acting Director of Outreach and Engagement, TNS

OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

In addition to the Project Team, a small Oversight Committee will work with TIANS and TNS to provide guidance for the development of the plan. This group provides feedback and direction to approach and development; reviews and provides feedback on the draft framework; and conducts ongoing consultation and check-ins as required.

• Joyce Carter , President and CEO, Halifax International Airport Authority
• Glenn Squires , CEO, Pacrim Hospitality Services
• Chuck Maillet , Vice President, ACOA
• Justin Huston , Deputy Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage and Chief Executive Officer, Office of L’nu Affairs

Latest News

See news releases and articles for information about the strategy.

• Province Partnering with Industry on Strategic Plan for Tourism Growth

The questions haven't changed — but answers are harder to get

'holding politicians to account ... is an essential part of democracy,' says professor.

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In 1994, if a reporter had questions for then premier John Savage, they walked across Granville Street from Province House in downtown Halifax, entered One Government Place, rode the elevator to the seventh floor and asked the receptionist if Savage had a few minutes to spare.

More often than not, the premier would come out, answer questions and then both he and the reporter would carry on with their day.

That's also the way longtime journalism professor Stephen Kimber remembers his time covering the House as a young reporter in the early 1970s.

"If I wanted to talk to Garnie Brown, who was the minister of tourism, I would pick up the phone and I would call," Kimber recalled.

"He talked to anybody who called him and it was always off-the-cuff."

'An essential part of democracy'

It is simple, basic journalism but vitally important work on behalf of Nova Scotians, according to Kimber. He said that work has also become increasingly difficult to do.

Over the decades, the number of people developing and disseminating the government's message has grown and that's changed the access reporters have to officials. Meanwhile, fewer journalists are covering Nova Scotia politics.

"It is important. It's not sexy. It's not fun in many ways. But this holding politicians to account on behalf of the public is an essential part of democracy," said Kimber.

Essential, he said, but not as easy as it was decades ago.

Back in the 1990s, the provincial government also published a list of phone numbers for senior government officials that it freely shared with news organizations. If a reporter needed someone to explain a government policy or decision, they simply called the person handling that particular file.

Times have changed.

Kimber, who was recently awarded the province's highest recognition, the Order of Nova Scotia, for his "contributions to the life and people of the Province through literature, journalism and academia," said it's now rare to get an answer directly from a minister. 

"What you get is a canned statement that almost certainly was prepared by people who are more anxious to shade and nuance to prevent anybody from knowing anything."

Kimber has also noticed a pattern. New governments promise to open up the process. Then they get into office.

"Immediately ... they recognize that that's not in their best interests," said Kimber. "Then they not only go along with what the previous government has done, they upped the ante a little further and make it that much harder to get information out of them."

This happened when the McNeil government vowed to overhaul the freedom of information system , as did Tim Houston before he was premier . 

Another change is that bureaucrats are now instructed not to deal with reporters directly. They are trained instead to send them to the appropriate media relations officer at the government's communications agency — Communications Nova Scotia.

Deputy ministers and senior officials still routinely make themselves available to reporters after they testify before a legislature committee, but that's the exception to the rule.

The availability of cabinet ministers has also changed.

During legislative sittings, reporters would simply stop ministers on their way in or out of the chamber for interviews. Stanchions then went up to keep reporters back from the entrance and now those exchanges are largely handled through communications staff, who schedule interviews at a fixed location in the hallway between the chamber and the ceremonial Red Room.

Reporting on politics has changed over 30 years. Here's why that affects you

Those conversations are closely monitored by government and caucus staff, who routinely outnumber reporters during sittings.

Access is even more restricted for the eight or more months the House isn't sitting. Cabinet meetings, when they happened weekly, gave reporters predictable access, but those meetings now happen biweekly or less.

It's a "bad situation" that is worsening, said Kimber. "Not only because of the way politicians operate, but because of the lack of journalism."

The media landscape in Nova Scotia has changed dramatically since the 1990s and those dwindling resources have had an impact on political coverage. The now-defunct Daily News used to have two political reporters. Some private radio stations like News 95.7 had someone covering the legislature. 

Now instead of more than a dozen reporters covering Province House, there's a handful. Networks like CTV or Global no longer cover the legislature every day.

As a result, the number and variety of stories generated by political reporters has diminished.

Back in 1994, the Nova Scotia Information Service had a staff of 24 and was spending $1.2 million on government communications.

This year, Communications Nova Scotia has a staff of 87, with a budget of $7 million. The increase in staff and size of its budget reflects the changing role of the agency and the increasing demands placed on it by the government.

CNS staff not only respond to media requests, they draft and issue news releases, plan and host news conferences, create promotional content and marketing material, and stage an increasing number of live social media events.

Unlike decades ago, the provincial government is no longer relying primarily on news outlets and newspaper ads to disseminate information or sell its agenda.

Direct mail-outs, social media posts, video messages, and live online events have become routine, and not just for the party in power.

The opposition parties also now record, edit and post video messages and snippets of media interviews for partisan purposes.

"It's not about providing information, it's about controlling it and ... getting it out there on their own terms," said Kimber.

Tighter control, time limits

Because a poorly worded response to a question is now fodder for opposition attacks, scrums have become more tightly controlled and subject to time limits.

Although most of the changes have come gradually, Darrell Dexter's NDP government was the first to exert notable control over Communications Nova Scotia, expanding its workload to include marketing campaigns and defending government initiatives.

Barbara Emodi handled communications for the NDP caucus during those years and had regular contact with her counterparts in the premier's office.

Emodi said the good rapport the government initially had with journalists soured over time.

"Public relations people and spin doctors ruined that, because you stopped having conversations and started delivering messages and then that created suspicion," said Emodi. "And that's a bit of a spiral."

According to Emodi, "people got a little paranoid" in the premier's office and that led to a desire to control information, and the message, more tightly.

Kimber said all this control by governments makes it harder for members of the public to know what the party in power is really up to.

"If you don't have that, then it's very easy for governments, for individual politicians, to make decisions to do things that have consequences for all of us as individuals, with no accountability," he said.

All this leads to a scenario where it would be rare for a reporter to show up unannounced to speak to the premier, and get past the security desk six floors down from his office — no matter which party is in power.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jean Laroche has been a CBC reporter since 1987. He's been covering Nova Scotia politics since 1995 and has been at Province House longer than any sitting member.

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Building the small craft harbours of tomorrow: Minister Lebouthillier highlights a nearly half-billion dollar investment in Budget 2024

From: Fisheries and Oceans Canada

News release

From the Atlantic shores of Newfoundland and Labrador to the Arctic Ocean in Nunavut to the Pacific coast of British Columbia, small craft harbours are at the heart of Canada’s coastal communities. They are vital to fisheries sector, while supporting tourism and safe access to waterways for everyone.

April 29, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario -  From the Atlantic shores of Newfoundland and Labrador to the Arctic Ocean in Nunavut to the Pacific coast of British Columbia, small craft harbours are at the heart of Canada’s coastal communities. They are vital to fisheries sector, while supporting tourism and safe access to waterways for everyone.

Today, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, and Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, highlighted Budget 2024’s investment in small craft harbours, which are vital to the economies of fishing communities from coast to coast to coast.

Budget 2024 : Fairness for Every Generation proposes to provide $463.3 million over three years, starting in 2024-25, for the repair and maintenance of small craft harbours, including those damaged by Hurricane Fiona. This is on top of the Department’s annual budget of $90 million for the Small Craft Harbours program. These investments will support local economic development for generations to come, providing safe and functional harbours for  Canadians working in the fisheries, aquaculture, construction, and marine engineering sectors.

The government of Canada is currently funding repairs and/or dredging at 40 harbours across the country to ensure that they are in good working condition to support our hardworking harvesters. Once Budget 2024 is adopted, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) will work to identify the priorities of each region and will announce the breakdown of this investment in due course.

Budget 2024 is a plan to deliver fairness for every generation. 

It is a plan to build a Canada that works better for everyone, where younger generations can get ahead, where their hard work pays off, and where they can buy a home—where everyone has a fair chance at a good middle class life.

First, the budget takes bold action to build more homes. Because the best way to make home prices more affordable is to increase supply—and quickly. It lays out a strategy to unlock 3.87 million new homes by 2031. Key measures include launching the new Public Lands for Homes Plan and Canada Rental Protection Fund, enhancing the Canadian Mortgage Charter, and creating a new Canadian Renters’ Bill of Rights.

Second, it will help make life cost less. The budget builds on the government’s transformative expansion of Canada’s social safety net—$10-a-day child care, dental care for uninsured Canadians, the first phase of universal pharmacare—and advances the government’s work to lower everyday costs for Canadians. This includes helping to stabilize the cost of groceries, cracking down on junk fees, and lowering the costs of banking. Budget 2024 also makes transformative new investments, including a National School Food Program and the Canada Disability Benefit.

Third, this year’s budget will grow the economy in a way that’s shared by all.  The government’s plan will increase investment, enhance productivity, and encourage innovation. It will create good-paying and meaningful jobs, keep Canada at the economic forefront, and deliver new support to empower more of our best entrepreneurs and innovators. This includes attracting more investment in the net-zero economy by expanding and delivering the major economic investment tax credits, securing Canada’s advantage as a leader in artificial intelligence, and investing in enhanced research grants that will provide younger generations with good jobs and new opportunities. And it means ensuring Indigenous Peoples share in this growth in a way that works for them.

Budget 2024 will also make Canada’s tax system fairer by asking the wealthiest to pay a bit more—so that the government can invest in prosperity for every generation, and because it would be irresponsible and unfair to pass on more debt to the next generations. Budget 2024 is a responsible economic plan that upholds the fiscal objectives outlined in the 2023 Fall Economic Statement , and sees Canada maintain the lowest deficit- and net debt-to-GDP ratios in the G7

“Small craft harbours are at the epicentre of our vibrant fishing communities from coast to coast to coast. Canada, the nation with the longest coastline in the world, must invest in resilient harbour infrastructure capable of facing the climate challenges of today and tomorrow. With Budget 2024, we're giving ourselves the means to achieve our ambitions, by equipping our harvesters with modern harbours where their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will carry on our finest maritime traditions.” The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

“Small craft harbours are the heart of our community of Cape Breton—Canso, in Nova Scotia – and are real drivers of employment and economic development. This investment will help with repairs and maintenance to keep our harbours in good working condition so that our coastal communities can continue to thrive for years to come.” Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Related products

• Backgrounder: Harbour projects for 2024-2025
• Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation
• Budget 2024: Address by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
• Budget 2024: Key Measures

Jérémy Collard Press Secretary  Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard  [email protected]

Media Relations Fisheries and Oceans Canada 613-990-7537 [email protected]

Stay Connected

• Follow Fisheries and Oceans Canada on  X ,  Facebook ,  Instagram  and  YouTube .
• Follow the Canadian Coast Guard on  X ,  Facebook ,  Instagram  and  YouTube .

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