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Premier of Nova Scotia facts for kids

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Premier of Nova Scotia
Arms of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.svg
Stephen McNeil 2014.jpg
Incumbent
Stephen McNeil

since October 22, 2013
Government of Nova Scotia
Office of the Premier
Style The Honourable
Member of
  • Executive Council
Reports to Legislative Assembly
Seat Halifax Regional Municipality
Appointer Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia
Term length At Her Majesty's pleasure
Inaugural holder Hiram Blanchard
Formation July 4, 1867
Salary $89,234.90 plus $112,791.20 (indemnity and allowances)

The Premier of Nova Scotia is like the chief leader or head of government for the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. This person works closely with the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, who represents the King or Queen. The Premier is in charge of the Executive Council of Nova Scotia, which is a group of important advisors.

Usually, the Premier is the leader of the political party that wins the most seats in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. This means their party has the most elected members.

The person who was Premier of Nova Scotia for a long time was Stephen McNeil. He became Premier on October 8, 2013, and officially started his job on October 22, 2013.

What is a Premier?

A Premier is the top political leader in a Canadian province. Think of them as the "captain" of the provincial government team. Their main job is to lead the government and make important decisions for the people of Nova Scotia.

The Premier's Main Jobs

The Premier has many important duties. They lead the government's plans and policies. They also represent Nova Scotia when talking with other provinces or the national government.

  • Leading the Government: The Premier guides the work of all government departments.
  • Making Decisions: They help decide how the province's money is spent.
  • Representing Nova Scotia: The Premier speaks for the province on big issues.
  • Choosing Ministers: They pick other members of their party to lead different parts of the government, like education or health. These people are called ministers.

How Does Someone Become Premier?

Becoming a Premier involves a few steps. First, a person usually becomes the leader of a political party. Then, that party needs to win the most seats in a provincial election.

Winning an Election

When people in Nova Scotia vote in a provincial election, they choose who they want to represent them. The party that gets more than half of the seats in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly usually forms the government. The leader of that winning party then becomes the Premier.

The Lieutenant Governor's Role

After an election, the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia officially appoints the new Premier. This is a formal step that makes the appointment official. The Premier then takes an oath to promise to do their job well.

History of Nova Scotia's Premiers

The role of Premier in Nova Scotia has a long history. It started way back in 1867. The first Premier was a person named Hiram Blanchard.

Important Dates

  • July 4, 1867: This is when the position of Premier was officially created.
  • First Premier: Hiram Blanchard was the very first person to hold this important job.

Where the Premier Works

The Premier's main office is in Halifax. Halifax is the capital city of Nova Scotia. This is where many important government buildings are located.

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