Premier Tim Houston. (Credit: Communications Nova Scotia
The province is looking for a new Deputy Minister for the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs.
The Tory government faced backlash after appointing a white Minister, veteran MLA Pat Dunn, to the portfolio.
Premier Tim Houston said they identified the need to appoint a new Deputy when they formed government.
Houston said he understands the importance of effectively representing the black community in government.
“Decisions that I took, offended the community,” he said. “It was not my intention to offend anyone, and I apologize.”
Houston said a recent meeting with Black community leaders went well, and they presented him with a roadmap for how to move forward.
He said his government will take action on those concerns.
“I think that there’s some things that we can do, and that we will do,” he said. “It won’t be everything they asked for, but, certainly, I understand the spirit in which they’re asking and I respect it.”
Houston held fast that he will only appoint members of his elected caucus to cabinet. None of the Tories’ black candidates won seats.
