The Government of Nova Scotia refers to the provincial government of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Its powers and structure are set out in the Constitution Act, 1867.
In modern Canadian use, the term "government" refers broadly to the cabinet of the day, elected from the Nova Scotia House of Assembly and the non-political staff within each provincial department or agency – that is, the civil service.
The Province of Nova Scotia is governed by a unicameral legislature, the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, which operates in the Westminster system of government. The political party that wins the largest number of seats in the legislature normally forms the government, and the party's leader becomes premier of the province, i.e., the head of the government.
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Sworn in as premier on June 19, 2009, Hon. Darrell Dexter became the 27th Premier of the Province of Nova Scotia since Confederation. Premier Dexter was elected Leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party in 2001.
The functions of the Sovereign, Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, and known in Nova Scotia as the Queen in Right of Nova Scotia, are exercised by the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. The Lieutenant Governor is appointed by the Governor General of Canada on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Canada, in consultation with the Premier of Nova Scotia.
The Nova Scotia government ended 2010-2011 with a surplus of $569 million and reduced its debt to $12.8 billion, down $217.8 million. Expenses for the year were $9.3 billion, down $171.5 million, and revenues were $9.9 billion, an increase of $666.1 million.[1]
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