Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is shaking up the Natural Resources Department in what an internal memo describes as “a deliberate step” to align with the government’s priority of finding new ways to boost revenues. The changes were outlined by Natural Resources deputy minister Sandra McKenzie on Thursday in an internal email obtained by CBC News. The source said the changes announced Thursday at Natural Resources appear intended to make it easier for development projects to proceed. Lancaster said “it’s getting increasingly frustrating” that the point must be made that protecting biodiversity and conservation is not contradictory to fostering economic development. NDP natural resources critic Kendra Coombes said the changes put the premier's "political agenda ahead of safeguarding our parks, coastlines and wildlife for future generations."

Source: CBC News February 20, 2026 22:56 UTC