Maguire crosses floor to PCS
The Nova Scotia Liberal Caucus had dropped to 15 members after Halifax Atlantic MLA Brendan Maguire crossed the floor to the Progressive Conservatives Thursday.
Premier Tim Houston immediately named Maguire the new minister of Community Services.
Maguires was first elected in 2013, taking the seat after the NDP’S Michele Raymond didn’t reoffer. It was part of a Liberal surge that saw the party defeat the PCS and form a government for the first time in 15 years.
He was re-elected by wide margins in the 2017 and 2021 elections.
Maguire told reporters at the legislature that switching parties was not directly a shot at the Liberals.
“This is not about the Liberal Party. This is about, if you would have told me 15 years ago, 20 years ago, 30 years ago when I was a ward of the court, that I was going to someday be part of the decision making and Community Services, I wouldn’t have believed you," he said.
Maguire and his siblings were placed in foster care after their parents abandoned them in a Halifax mall.
“I’ve had people my entire life tell me that I wasn’t going to make it, I wasn’t going to do it,” he said. “And now here I am, after spending pretty much my entire youth, teenage years and part of my young adulthood being a ward of the court and being in the system, to being able to effect change.
“I know a lot of kids that are in the system. I know a lot of people that have been in the system. If I can do it, they can do it. And if it gives them a little bit of hope, then this is worth it."
Maguire had high praise for his new boss, citing Houston's focus on health care in the province.
“I’ve watched, over the last year-and-a-half to two years, how this premier said he’s going to do something. He does it.
“I’ve watched how he’s tackled the health-care system and the other issues that we’re facing. You know, it became increasingly hard for me to be critical of someone who I saw out there working and probably had a work ethic that’s been unmatched, that I’ve seen.”
Maguire floated the notion that Nova Scotians want politicians to work together to solve problems instead of bickering across party lines.
“I don’t know how many times I’ve said this in the legislature and how many times I’ve said this publicly: a good idea is a good idea no matter where it comes from.
“I think and I know that Nova Scotians are tired of the partisan stuff and they just want people to roll up their sleeves and get to work. And so, for me, it became enough of the arguing and back and forth and it’s time to get to work.”
“Brendan has consistently offered good advice and solutions on the Community Services portfolio. He has the lived experience, helping to make him the right fit for this file. Brendan is also an incredibly hard worker, who I know will give this everything he has,” Houston said in a statement issued Thursday.
Liberal leader Zach Churchill said in a short statement that he admires Maguire’s passion for his community.
“While I’m sad to see him leave our caucus, I know he shares our concerns about the affordability crisis, Churchill said. “To date, the Houston government has made decisions to worsen food insecurity and poverty and I hope in his new role, Brendan is able to reverse that trend to help low- and middleincome Nova Scotians.”
While with the Liberals, Maguire spent time as minister of Municipal Affairs, deputy speaker, and ministerial assistant to the minister responsible for Housing Nova Scotia.
Maguire’s appointment to cabinet came as the previous minister, Richmond MLA Trevor Boudreau announced he was stepping down from the post as well as that of minister of L’NU affairs for personal and health reasons.
“I have always sought to undertake my role in the government, led by Premier Tim Houston, with compassion and the focus that it requires,” Boudreau said in a release.
“Sadly, it is apparent to me that I must regretfully resign from my ministerial responsibilities so that I am able to look after my well-being and to ensure that my constituents in Richmond continue to be represented diligently.”
Waverley-fall River-beaver Bank MLA Brian Wong will add the minister of L’nu affairs, position to his current role as minister of advanced education.