Queens MLA Kim Masland takes over Natural Resources in cabinet shuffle

Kim Masland is Nova Scotia’s new minister of natural resources. (Rick Conrad/File)

Queens MLA Kim Masland will be taking on a bigger role in the Nova Scotia government.

Premier Tim Houston announced Tuesday that Masland, who is already minister of emergency management, will add Natural Resources to her duties.

Masland had served as minister of public works and Government House Leader in the Houston government’s first term in office. When they were re-elected last November, she was moved to Emergency Management.

Masland takes over the Department of Natural Resources from Tory Rushton, who was bumped from cabinet in Tuesday’s shuffle.

Houston himself will take over the Energy portfolio from Trevor Boudreau, who is also out of cabinet.

“I want to turn Nova Scotia into an energy superpower,” Houston said in a news release. 

“Responsible resource development will power our economy for generations, combat poverty and help Nova Scotians earn more money.”

Becky Druhan is the other Tory MLA out of cabinet. She has been replaced as justice minister by Scott Armstrong.

Masland takes over Natural Resources at a time when the department is under increasing scrutiny for its discussions with Cape Breton golf course developer Cabot Links and Cliffs and its bid for part of West Mabou Beach Provincial Park.

Masland’s cabinet colleague Barbara Adams will also add to her portfolios. She will become minister of opportunities and social development in addition to her roles as deputy premier and minister of seniors and long-term care.

Masland has been a longtime supporter of Houston, backing him in his bid for the party leadership in 2017-18. At an event in Liverpool last week, both Masland and Houston talked about their friendship, and Houston praised Masland for her work as minister and MLA.

Two other Progressive Conservative MLAs will join cabinet for the first time. John A. MacDonald will take over Municipal Affairs, while John White will become minister of housing.

The new cabinet will be sworn in later Tuesday afternoon in a ceremony closed to media.