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.

Premier Stephen McNeil signs minister’s oath of office. Photo credit: Nova Scotia Government

Premier Stephen McNeil has announced a cabinet shuffle.

The MLA for Lunenburg, Suzanne Lohnes-Croft will assume her first cabinet role as minister for Communities, Culture and Heritage and Minister of Gaelic Affairs.

Suzanne Lohnes-Croft. Photo credit: Nova Scotia Government

Former Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leo Glavine returns to the health portfolio as Minister of the Department of Health and Wellness. 2017. He will continue on as Minister of Seniors.

Leo Glavine. Photo credit: Nova Scotia Government

Lena Metlege Diab, the MLA for Halifax Armdale, will be serving double duty as well. Currently the Minister of Immigration, Acadian Affairs and Francophonie, Ms. Diab will also take over as Minister of the Department of Labour and Advanced Education.

Lena Metledge Diab. Photo credit: Nova Scotia Government

The final MLA to add a portfolio to their existing responsibilities is Sydney-Whitney Pier MLA Derek Mombourquette. The Minister of Energy and Mines, also becomes Minister of the Department of Lands and Forestry.

Derek Mombourquette. Photo credit: Nova Scotia Government

Former ministers of Health and Wellness, Randy Delorey, Labour and Advanced Education, Labi Kousoulis and Lands and Forestry, Iain Rankin resigned their cabinet posts to run to replace Premier Stephen McNeil as leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal party.

McNeil announced in August he was retiring from politics but would stay on until a new leader was chosen.

Party faithful will decide who will lead the liberals and by default, become premier of Nova Scotia on February 6.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson