**** Lieutenant-Governor Release
Lieutenant-Governor Commissions Premier-Designate to Form New Government
Lt.-Gov. Arthur J. LeBlanc received Iain Rankin at Government House yesterday, Aug. 18. During the meeting, Mr. Rankin notified Lt.-Gov. LeBlanc of his intention to resign as premier of Nova Scotia.
Today, Aug. 19, Lt.-Gov. LeBlanc received Tim Houston, leader of the Progressive Conservatives, and requested he form a new government. Having accepted the invitation, Mr. Houston is now referred to as Premier-designate.
Lt.-Gov. LeBlanc discussed transition arrangements with the premier and premier-designate. A swearing-in ceremony for the new Executive Council will be held in the coming weeks.
Quick Facts:
— the primary role of the lieutenant-governor, the Queen’s representative in Nova Scotia, is to ensure the province always has government continuity
— following an election, the premier and cabinet of the outgoing government retain their authority to govern until the next premier and cabinet are sworn in by the lieutenant-governor
