McNeil adds to his cabinet, shuffles duties of 3 ministers

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeilhas handed backone of the toughest jobs in cabinet to one of his most loyal and trusted colleagues.

Leo Glavinewas announced as the new minister of health and wellness during a cabinet shuffle Tuesday. He takesover from Randy Delorey, who recently announcedhis intention to run for the Liberal leadership.

"I guess what is old is new again," Glavinequipped to reporters outside Government House, just minutes after taking over the duties he last held three years ago.

Glavineoversaw the merging of nine district health authorities into one when he served as health minister during McNeil's first mandate. He was in charge during tumultuous labour relations between the governing Liberals and the province's health unions.

After the 2017 election,McNeil shuffled Glavine to the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage a move that wouldnormally be seen as a demotion, but at the time wasconsidered giving a friend and colleaguea break.

"The premier rightly gave me, in some ways, a lighter load," said Glavine.

He acknowledged it's"a challenging time for sure" to take on the rolewhen the province is in thegrips of a pandemic.

"I'm certainly looking forward to getting briefed as minister Delorey did every week of the pandemic," he said.

"No doubt the premier and Dr. [Robert]Strang will take the lead,but we have a lot of work going on in the department that has to support our physicians, our hospital structure, certainly our long-term care."

Backbencher promoted

Lunenburg MLA Suzanne Lohnes-Croft has taken over Glavine's portfolio at Communities, Culture and Heritage, a promotion she saidcameout of the blue Monday.

"Caught me completely off guard," she told reporters after her swearing-in. "I knew there were some changescoming up but I wasn't expecting to be a member of the executive council."

Lohnes-Croftsaidshe is looking forward to her new duties and trying to help artists struggling as a result of the pandemic.

"After listening to what people bring forward to me, I'll have a clearer picture of what the needs are," she said. "And I'm willing to work with them to see what we can do to help them out."

Cabinet ministers Lena Diab and Derek Mombourquetteweregiven added responsibilities.

Diab, the immigration minister, will also overseelabour and advanced education.Derek Mombourquetteaddedlands and forestry to his energy portfolio.

McNeil told reportershe expectsthese to be the last changes he makes to his cabinet before he is replaced as Liberal leader and premier in February.

"But who knows?" he joked outside the lieutenant-governor's residence. "I thought the next time I'd be here,I'd be calling an election."

Three former cabinet ministers are vying to be the next Liberal leader, includingDelorey, former labour minister Labi Kousoulis and former lands and forestry minister Iain Rankin.