The Department of Public Works of the Government of Nova Scotia is responsible for transportation, communications, construction, property, and accommodation of government departments and agencies in the province.

Department of Public Works
Government department overview
Formed1918; 106 years ago (1918)
Minister responsible
Deputy Minister responsible
  • Peter Hackett

Kim Masland is its current minister.[1] The department has over 2,000 employees responsible for implementing its mandate.

History

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The department was established in 1918 as the Department of Highways. In 1926, the Provincial Highway Board was abolished, and the Department of Highways took up responsibility for road building, traffic management, as well as tourism.[2]

In 1939, the department assumed responsibility for government property, and was renamed Department of Highways and Public Works. It was renamed Department of Transportation in 1979.[2]

It was renamed several times thereon, to Transportation and Communications (1987); Transportation and Public Works (1996), when it absorbed functions of the former Department of Supply and Services; and Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (2007).[2]

In early 2021, the then-Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (TIR) was renamed to Department of Transportation and Active Transit (TAT).[3] After the election of the Houston government in 2021, the department was given its present name.

Operational Units

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Responsibilities

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The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal is responsible for:

Former Departments

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  • Transportation and Public Works to October 23, 2007
  • Transportation and Communications
  • Department of Highways
  • Department of Public Works
  • Department of Communications

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "N.S. Premier Tim Houston and 18 ministers — including 7 women — sworn into office". Halifax NS: Globalnews.ca. August 31, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Nova Scotia. Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal". Government Administrative Histories. Nova Scotia Archives.
  3. ^ Vibert, Jim (23 February 2021). "New premier Iain Rankin signals change through symbolism". SaltWire Network.
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