Prime Minister Tim Houston appoints senior civil service positions

Premier Tim Houston announced the appointments Friday, which will take effect when Nova Scotia’s highest-ranking public official leaves her job.

Houston has announced that Tracey Taweel will become deputy prime minister and head of the public service. Taweel will also retain his duties as deputy executive minister.

Prior to her latest appointment, Taweel served as Deputy Minister and Deputy Deputy Minister in various government departments.

“Tracey has proven as deputy minister and executive deputy minister that she can find solutions to some of Nova Scotia’s most pressing problems,” Houston said in a statement.

“I am delighted to appoint her to the top deputy position and I am delighted to welcome her to her new role.”

Jeannine Lagassé, former deputy health minister, will become the next official of the executive council and deputy minister of treasury and political council. (Jean Laroche/CBC)

Meanwhile, Jeannine Lagassé, former deputy minister of health and well-being, will return to public service as an officer of the executive council and deputy minister of treasury and political council.

“Jeannine has a passion for public service and a wealth of experience that I know will be a strong asset to this position,” the prime minister said in a statement.

The nominations take effect on July 1. Houston’s press secretary said Lagassé and Taweel would have standard contracts and receive the highest salary for senior officials, $285,000 a year.

Friday’s announcement follows reports earlier this month that Laura Lee Langley, who is head of the public service, executive council officer and deputy prime minister, would retire on June 30.

A day after the prime minister announced her retirement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Langley would become the next president of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

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