Here’s a look at the members of Nova Scotia’s new cabinet:
Darrell Dexter, premier: Represents the riding of Cole Harbour. Grew up
in Halifax and Milton. Elected leader of the NDP in June 2001. First
elected to the Nova Scotia legislature in 1998. Before politics, he was
a lawyer and journalist.
Sterling Beliveau, minister of fisheries and acquaculture, and
environment: Represents the riding of Shelburne. He was first elected
to the Nova Scotia legislature in 2006. Before that, he was elected
warden of the Barrington twice. He was formerly a self-employed
fisherman.
Frank Corbett, deputy premier: Represents the riding of Cape
Breton Centre. He was born and raised in New Waterford. Produced the
Christmas Daddies show for 10 years and was first elected in 1998.
Before entering politics, Corbett worked as a cameraman with ATV.
Bill Estabrooks, minister of transportation and infrastructure
renewal, and energy: He represents Timberlea-Prospect and was first
elected to the legislature in 1998. He was a teacher before he was
elected to the legislature.
Ramona Jennex, minister responsible for Service Nova Scotia,
and municipal relations: A newcomer to the legislature, she represents
the riding of Kings South. Before politics, she was a teacher at
Coldbrook and District School.
Ross Landry, attorney general and minister of justice: First
elected on June 9 in the riding of Pictou Centre. He was born and
raised in Trenton. Before politics, he was an RCMP officer, but also
holds a bachelor of laws degree from the University of Ottawa.
Maureen MacDonald, health minister: Representing the riding of
Halifax Needham, she was first elected in 1998. She was a professor of
social Work at Dalhousie University.
John MacDonell, minister of agriculture, and natural resources:
Represents Hants East in the house and was first elected in 1998. He
was raised in Enfield on a farm that has been in his family since 1877.
Marilyn More, minister of education, and labour: Represents
Dartmouth South-Portland Valley in the house. She was first elected in
2003. Before entering provincial politics, she was elected three times
to the Dartmouth school board.
Percy Paris, minister of economic and rural development, and
tourism, culture and heritage: First elected in 2006, he represents the
riding of Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank. He was formerly director of
Dalhousie University’s diversity initiative and was employed at the
school as a professor.
Denise Peterson-Rafuse, minister of community services: First
elected on June 9 in the riding of Chester-St. Margaret’s. She is a
lifelong resident of Chester. She was a mortgage consultant and worked
for the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Graham Steele, finance: He has represented the riding of
Halifax Fairview since a byelection in 2001. Born and raised in
Winnipeg, Steele is a lawyer and studied at Oxford University as a
Rhodes scholar.
