The Executive Branch
The Executive branch of government is generally referred to as the government. Technically, the term “government” means the Lieutenant Governor acting by and with the advice of the Executive Council (correctly referred to as the Governor-in-Council). Executive Council is the decision-making authority for the Government of Nova Scotia.
Members of the Executive Council, known as ministers, collectively form the Executive Council, also known as Cabinet. Ministers are normally MLAs who are chosen by the Premier and appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, as set down in the Executive Council Act.
The ministers’ offices are listed in the Executive Council Act. Ministers are assigned to oversee one or more government departments or agencies, along with other duties as set down by statute. A member of the Executive Council who does not preside over a department is called a “minister without portfolio.” The Governor-in-Council may from time to time assign other responsibilities to any department or member of the Executive Council.
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The Executive Council has the responsibility for the operations and management of government, for guiding the government’s program and legislation in the House of Assembly, and for leadership in House operations and transactions. These responsibilities include
- determining the government’s policies and priorities and ensuring that they are carried out
- making key policy decisions, including proposals for spending, taxing, and borrowing
- directing the administration and delivery of government programs
- proposing new legislation or amendments to existing legislation
Premier
By custom, the Premier or First Minister is chosen by the party having the most seats in the House of Assembly. The Premier also serves as President of the Executive Council.
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The Premier is responsible for managing the Executive Council decision-making process and establishing the organization and methods of operation of Executive Council and its main committee, Treasury and Policy Board.
Visit the Premier's webpage to learn more
Responsibilities of Members of the Executive Council
Collective responsibility is a long-established principle of the parliamentary system. It applies to the executive action taken by the Executive Council as well as to the formulation of policy by the Executive Council.
Individually, members of the Executive Council are responsible to the House of Assembly (and to their colleagues) for specific duties assigned to them. Every department, board, commission, committee, or other provincial agency of the Crown reports to the House of Assembly through a Minister.
Ministers are directly responsible with respect to general policy and for the selection of commissioners or board members, at least in respect of their effectiveness. The degree of control and the extent of accountability vary according to the type of agency and the provisions of the act of the legislature under which it was established. Where a department is established (or continued) by an act, and otherwise by convention, the Minister:
- presides over and has charge of the department
- is responsible for the administration of the act and the regulations
Deputy ministers are appointed by order-in-council as the chief administrative officers of departments. A deputy minister works under the direction of a minister and performs duties assigned by the Governor-in-Council.
The deputy minister is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the department, including
- carrying out government policies
- implementing decisions made by the minister and the Executive Council
- providing information to assist the minister in making decisions
- leading the department’s staff
