Hants West MLA Porter won’t reoffer in next election

Chuck Porter, minister of lands and forestry in Nova Scotia's Liberal government, has announced that he will not reoffer in the next provincial election.

“After much contemplation, it is with gratitude that I announce I will not be reoffering,” Porter said in a released statement.

“Representing the people of Hants West has been one of the greatest honours of my life, but after 15 years, it is time to turn the page. I will be forever grateful to my constituents for having placed their faith and trust in me.”

Porter was first elected in 2006 and was re-elected in 2009, 2013 and 2017.

He currently serves as minister of both the Lands and

Forestry and the Energy and Mines departments and is past minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

In his statement, Porter thanked his long-serving constituency staff, the people who served in the departments he has led and his Liberal caucus colleagues, “who have all worked tirelessly in representing the best interests of our community and our province.”

“Thank you to my family and friends for remaining my foundation of love and support, and for being with me every step of the way,” Porter said. “I would not be here without all of you.”

Porter is the second serving minister in the Rankin government to announce a decision not to run in the next election.

Geoff Maclellan, the MLA for Glace Bay and the minister of infrastructure and housing, announced in February that he would not reoffer.

Maclellan, the Liberal House leader, has more than a decade of legislative experience and had previously served as business and trade minister.

Porter becomes the eighth Liberal MLA to make it known that they will not reoffer. Former premier Stephen Mcneil and former or current ministers Maclellan, Karen Casey, Leo Glavine, Gordon Wilson and Margaret Miller have announced retirement decisions along with backbencher Bill Horne.

“Through the continued hard work and dedication of this government, I am very optimistic about the future of Nova Scotia,” Porter said. “I have certainly enjoyed my career in public service, and I am now genuinely looking forward to starting a new chapter.”

Porter's announcement could be a harbinger of an anticipated summer election, with the Liberal party getting its candidate ducks in a row.

In his ministerial roles since being tabbed by Premier Iain Rankin in late February, Porter has shepherded legislation, including the diluted Biodervsity Act, through the spring session at the House.

The biodiversity legislation, among the first of its kind in North American jurisdictions, was initially introduced to provide a foundation to manage risks, such as invasive species or ecosystem loss and diseases.

When a cohort from the forestry industry and private landowners objected to a perceived government overreach with the introduction of the bill this spring, government responded by removing emergency orders that would have given the minister authority to issue an order requiring private residents to comply with provisions of the act or to face significant fines.

The amended legislation applies only to Crown land, with the hope that private landowners will volunteer to comply.

Porter also inherited the contentious files of Owls Head and forestry clearcutting this spring, files that have moved residents to rally in front of Province House and the law courts building in downtown Halifax. The rallies coincided with a 23-day hunger strike launched by Jacob Fillmore that played out for the most part in front of Province House.