Cabinet connections

Nova Scotia's new premier Darrell Dexter is a Dalhousie graduate and frequent participant of Noon Hoops.

When the new NDP government was sworn in Friday it also doubled as something of a showcase for Dalhousie alumni. Ten of the party's MLAs have a connection to Dal including new premier, Darrell Dexter (BA 1979, BEd, 1983, LLB 1987).

Five members of the new cabinet have a history with Dalhousie including new finance minister Graham Steele (LLB, 1989) who notes he is eager for the challenges that lie ahead.

"After 11 years as the official opposition—eight for me personally—moving smoothly into government just feels like a natural progression," he says. "We're ready to get down to work."

In addition to Steele the new cabinet also includes Dal alumni Maureen MacDonald (MSW 1979), who will serve as minister of Health and Health Promotion, Marilyn More (BA 1968, BEd 1969) who will be minister of Education and Labour, Bill Estabrooks (BEd 1971), now transportation and energy minister and Percy Paris as the new minister of Economic and Rural Development, Tourism, Culture and Heritage and African Nova Scotian Affairs. Mr. Paris is known to many in the Dal community as the former director of the university's Diversity Initiative. He also taught black history and was involved with the university's Transition Year Program.

The caucus also includes a number of other Dal grads including Pictou East MLA Clarrie MacKinnon (MMM, 1997), Michele Raymond (LLB, 1985) of Halifax Atlantic, veteran Halifax Chebucto MLA Howard Epstein (LLB 1973) and newly elected Kings North MLA Jim Morton (MSW 1975).

The cabinet was sworn in at a packed event at the Cunard Centre June 19. Thousands gathered to get a glimpse at the new cabinet, and to hear Dexter ruminate about the road ahead.

The legislature will sit for one day, June 25 to elect presiding officials and establish committees of the House of Assembly, with a full sitting expected in the fall.