Nova Scotia Liberal MLA Brendan Maguire is crossing the floor to join the governing Progressive Conservatives, and has been named minister of community services.
Premier Tim Houston made the announcement Thursday morning. Maguire, who represents the riding of Halifax Atlantic, will replace Trevor Boudreau, who the premier said is stepping down as minister.
Maguire, who grew up in foster care and was homeless for a period when he was a teenager, said he can bring a unique perspective as minister of community services.
“This is a premier that gets things done,” he told reporters.
Maguire said Houston approached him over the weekend about joining the PC caucus and stepping into the role of community services minister.
Houston also said Boudreau is stepping down due to health reasons.
Houston described Maguire as someone who “rolls up his sleeves and gets things done.”
The premier noted affordability and housing issues are important issues facing the province.
Maguire was first elected in 2013, and won again in 2017 and 2021. He was a minister of municipal affairs under the previous Liberal government, which lost to the PCs in the 2021 election.
More to come.
