N.S. finance minister Allan MacMaster to resign, seek federal nomination

Nova Scotia's deputy premier and finance minister Allan MacMaster announced Thursday he is resigning from cabinet and will seek the federal Conservative nomination for Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish.

MacMaster has been the Progressive Conservative member of the legislature for the riding of Inverness since 2009.

"I spent 15 years at the legislature for the people of Inverness and I've done everything I can in that time and I would like to try Ottawa if they and the people in the surrounding area in the new riding of Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish see fit to send me there," he said in an interview.

MacMaster would not say exactly when he made the decision, only that it was "very recent."

He said one of the deciding factors was "the strong potential of a government change in Ottawa," and his desire to make sure his region is represented by someone with experience and knowledge of local issues.

He pointed to the need for better cellphone coverage, which he thinks would be helped by stronger federal regulation of telecommunications companies.  

Election speculation

MacMaster has been in Premier Tim Houston's cabinet with a long list of responsibilities including labour relations and Gaelic affairs since the 2021 election when the PCs ascended to power.

He said he's proud to have been a part of Houston's cabinet and of the Tory government's record.

A news release issued Friday morning said Environment Minister Tim Halman has assumed all of MacMaster's portfolio responsibilities. A swearing-in took place Thursday.

He'll continue to work as MLA for Inverness for the time being, but will step down if he wins the Conservative nomination. A provincial election would also bring an end to his term, and there is speculation that Houston could call a snap election as soon as this weekend.

MacMaster said he will support a new PC candidate for Inverness, whenever an election is called.

On Poilievre

MacMaster said he thinks federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is "in tune with people, with the everyday issues that they're facing," including the cost of living.

He said he and Poilievre are aligned in their views on the carbon tax — that is, their opposition to it.

"I know a lot of people are looking forward to the carbon tax being eliminated, and I'm one of them," he said.

Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish is a new federal electoral district that resulted from a redistribution done in 2022. Nova Scotia maintained the same number of seats, but some were redrawn. The next federal election will the be the first time the new map is put into effect.

Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish includes some of the former ridings of Cape Breton-Canso, held by Liberal MP Mike Kelloway; some of Central Nova, currently held by Liberal MP and cabinet minister Sean Fraser; and some of Sydney-Victoria, currently held by Liberal MP Jaime Battiste.