Twaila Grosse, first Black woman appointed as cabinet minister in Nova Scotia’s history
Twila Grosse, PC MLA for Preston, is now Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs and Minister of the Public Service Commission following a cabinet shuffle on Thursday.
This makes Grosse the first Black woman in Nova Scotia’s history to hold a cabinet position in the provincial government.
Twila Grosse said no decision yet on her role with African Nova Scotian Affairs, joining caucus [AUDIO]
Twila Grosse won Tuesday’s byelection, making her the first person of African descent to be elected for the provincial PC party.
The next sitting of the legislative assembly will also be the first in Nova Scotia’s history where MLAs of African descent will represent all of the parties in the legislature.
At her campaign announcement event in June, Grosse and Premier Tim Houston said they had had some preliminary discussions about her taking on the role of minister with African Nova Scotian Affairs. In an interview with the Examiner on Thursday, Grosse reiterated that no decision has been made on that matter.
“Now my focus is, in terms of being oriented, being set up as an MLA, getting going with regards to trying to seek solutions, and trying to get up to speed on some of the various issues and some of the things that need to be done in the riding,” Grosse said.
“I’m sure at some point that discussion will be had with regards to moving forward and sort of how I can contribute to our government.”
Desmond Inquiry Final Report Delayed Again [AUDIO]
“The Nova Scotia government has dismissed the judge presiding over an inquiry that has spent much of the past five years investigated why Afghanistan war veteran Lionel Desmond killed three family members and himself in 2017.
Brad Johns, Nova Scotia’s attorney general, confirmed Tuesday he has asked the chief judge of the provincial court to assign a new judge to finish the work started by provincial court Judge Warren Zimmer, saying the province has waited long enough for Zimmer’s final report.” – City News
Twila Grosse running for PCs in Preston byelection [VIDEO]
The final candidate of the three major political parties has been announced for an upcoming byelection in the Preston riding.
Twila Grosse was announced as the PC Party’s candidate in an event in the riding on Tuesday night attended by Premier Tim Houston and members of the PC Caucus.
Grosse worked for 36 years as an accountant for the Halifax International Airport Authority before retiring in 2020.
Upper Hammonds Plains believed to be spared from wildfire damage thus far: Pastor Lennett Anderson [AUDIO]
As a wildfire continues to burn in Tantallon and Hammonds Plains, Pastor Lennett Anderson of Emmanuel Baptist Church said he believes there is, thus far, no fire damage to any homes or structures in the Black community of Upper Hammonds Plains.
“Today they’re reporting over 200 homes [damaged] in the Hammonds Plains, Tantallon region. Thankfully no damage is being heard of in the community of Upper Hammonds Plains. But the smoke has really built up today,” said Anderson.
African Nova Scotian Justice Institute to continue ‘invisible’ legal work with renewed funding
The man in charge of the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute says its legal work is largely “invisible,” but with renewed funding, it’s increasing its workload.
“Our role in shaping the law, and improving the law, and improving how the criminal justice system responds to and relates to Black people has already been substantial,” interim acting director Robert Wright said.
African Nova Scotian Black Family wants premier to make Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs a full department
Group also asks Houston to reappoint as Dr. Munroe-Anderson as deputy Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage and appoint Dr. Dryden to leadership team at Nova Scotia Health.
A coalition for Black voices in Nova Scotia
Since 2015, the African Nova Scotian Decade for People of African Descent Coalition has been working on issues in the Black community, including justice, health, education, employment, and social services.
Black community reacts to the appointment of a white Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs
In the days following the Nova Scotia provincial election last month, where the Progressive Conservatives (PCs) won a majority government but failed to elect any Black MLAs, the Halifax Examiner was the first to pose the question: Who will be the next minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs?
On Tuesday, that question was answered when Pat Dunn, PC MLA for Pictou Centre, who is white, was announced as the new minister for both African Nova Scotian Affairs and the brand-new Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives. Dunn replaces Liberal MLA for Cole Harbour, Tony Ince, who is Black.
Who will be the next minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs?
PC premier-designate Tim Houston has no African Nova Scotian members in his caucus to choose from for the job.