N.S. Premier Tim Houston shuffles cabinet

Nova ScotiaIn a surprise move, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston shook up his cabinet Tuesday, moving out three people, bringing in two new members and reassigning other roles. 3 people shuffled out, while 2 newcomers join cabinetMichael Gorman · CBC News · Posted: Oct 21, 2025 1:56 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour agoPremier Tim Houston is making himself the energy minister, along with several other changes. (CBC)In a surprise move, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston shook up his cabinet Tuesday, moving out three people, bringing in two new members and reassigning other roles.A news release said Energy Minister Trevor Boudreau, Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton and Justice Minister Becky Druhan are all being moved out of cabinet.Scott Armstrong is taking over the justice portfolio and responsibility for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism. Emergency Management Minister Kim Masland is adding natural resources to her duties, and the premier will assume responsibility for the energy portfolio at a time when he is aggressively pushing offshore wind and critical mineral development.Armstrong’s former portfolio of opportunities and social development is being added to Barbara Adams’s slate. Adams is already deputy premier and minister of seniors and long-term care.Hants East MLA John A. MacDonald is becoming the new municipal affairs minister, taking a portfolio off the table from Finance Minister John Lohr.With the province facing a projected deficit of $1.2 billion, Lohr is expected to have his hands full as he works on the 2026-27 provincial budget.Glace Bay-Dominion MLA John White also joins cabinet, becoming the new minister responsible for housing.While housing will not become a standalone department, White’s new role appears aimed at ongoing opposition criticism that the government did not have someone whose stated focus was housing at a time when the province is facing a persistent housing crisis. Until now, that responsibility fell to Growth and Development Minister Colton LeBlanc.The changes were made official during a private ceremony Tuesday.MORE TOP STORIES ABOUT THE AUTHORMichael Gorman covers the Nova Scotia legislature for CBC, with additional focuses on health care and rural communities. Contact him with story ideas at michael.gorman@cbc.ca