This morning, in fulfillment of his constitutional duty, His Honour The Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, presided over the Swearing-In Ceremony for the Executive Council of Nova Scotia (ECNS) at the Halifax Convention Centre.  

The Executive Council is the executive arm of government that formulates and supervises the carrying out of all government policies. It is composed of members of the Executive Council (the Provincial Cabinet), who are invited by the Premier to oversee the administration of Government Departments.

During the ceremony, Premier-designate The Honourable Iain Rankin first took the Executive Councillor’s Oath and then Oath of Office as the 29^th Premier of the Province and as President of the Executive Council of the Province of Nova Scotia.  

Following the Premier’s swearing-in, those Members of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia designated for ministerial positions took the Executive Council Oath to become Executive Councillors.  As members of the ECNS they became qualified to serve as advisors to the Crown (to serve in Cabinet).  All appointments to the Cabinet are made on the advice of the Premier.  Immediately following their Executive Council Oath, each member of the Executive Council took their respective Oath of Office, where they swore or affirmed that they will diligently and faithfully perform the duties of their designated office.