gov.ns.ca - Nova Scotia Canada - Government of Nova Scotia

Rod MacDougall, Acting Director
The Capital Markets Administration division provides all post trade settlement and accounting functions for the Nova Scotia Pension Agency investment and the Province's debt portfolio activities.  This includes timely payment of interest and principal on debt issues, timely receipt of investment income and debt proceeds, and accurate forecasting of Provincial Debt Servicing Cost and Investment Income.  See also Unclaimed Intestate Estate Funds.

Cathy Shaw, Director
The Communications division promotes the Department of Finance’s programs and policies to the public, primarily Nova Scotians.  This team is responsible for managing the overall external and internal communications of the department by developing and implementing communications strategies, managing media relations, and providing advice through issues management.

These responsibilities include such tasks as issuing news releases, writing speeches, developing multi‑media presentations, monitoring media coverage, preparing ministerial announcements and press conferences, and managing the department’s internet and intranet site(s).

Steve Feindel, Director
CIS provides ongoing support for the SAP systems within provincial departments and agencies, school boards, regional housing authorities and six municipalities within Nova Scotia.

Joyce McDonald, Director
The Finance CSU supplies support in all aspects of financial management to other government departments such as:  Finance, Economic Development (OED),Tourism, Culture and Heritage; four public service votes: Acadian Affairs, African Nova Scotia Affairs, Nova Scotia Securities Commission, Nova Scotia Utility & Review Board; and the Nova Scotia Pension Agency.

Doug Murphy, Director
The Financial Institutions division licenses 256 insurance companies which operate in the Province as well as 5000 individual insurance agents, brokers and adjusters and 500 agencies, brokerages and adjuster firms. The division also regulates the operations of credit unions, trust and loan companies.

Michael DeCoste, Executive Director

Taxation and Fiscal Policy
Michael DeCoste, Acting Director
The main activity of Taxation and Fiscal Policy is to forecast tax revenues, conduct analysis of current and potential tax measures, develop implementation and legislative vehicles, as well as to provide technical advice and consultation to other departments and agencies.

Economics and Statistics
Fred Bergman, Director
The Statistics division provides the Nova Scotia Government with comprehensive, timely and reliable economic and social statistics to support strategic decision making.  In addition to province-wide and sub-provincial statistics, the Economics and Statistics Division also provides the economic forecast contained in the Budget and quarterly Fiscal Updates.  The Division is responsible for drafting the section on the economy in the Public Accounts and Form 18-K.  The Division also provides expert advice on economic policy and analysis to the provincial government and its agencies.

Community Counts
Malcolm Shookner, Manager
Community Counts is a statistical infrastructure that comprises a wide range of census, taxation and administrative data sets that supports evidence-based decision making and program planning.

Government Accounting

Suzanne Wile, Director

Financial Accounting
Geoff Gatien, Manager
The financial accounting group is responsible for the preparation of the province's public accounts containing the annual consolidated financial statements for government departments as well as over 100 government controlled entities. The group provides professional accounting advice, recommendations and opinions, and submits comments on accounting standards under development by the Public Sector Accounting Board. In addition, the group presents on financial reporting matters to ensure the province's financial community is aware of accounting principles and reporting requirements.

Operational Accounting
Blair McNaughton, Manager
The operational accounting group provides central agency support and services to all government departments and agencies. This includes centralized payment production (cheque & electronic payments) for goods, services, and social programs. The group also manages the corporate credit card program and leads preparation of the annual Supplement to the Public Accounts. The group handles vendor/customer master maintenance, general ledger master maintenance, processing of third party demands, cross business area journal/invoice entry, and setting business process standards. Operation accounting also provides advice and training to SAP users of accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, procurement and business warehouse modules.

Information Management (IM)

Angela Smith, Manager
The Information Management division promotes the coordinated and consistent management of records and information throughout their life cycle. IM supports informed decision making, access to information and protection of privacy, and due diligence through good record keeping.  See also Information Access & Privacy (includes FOIPOP).

Ted Doane, Executive Director
Internal Audit is uniquely positioned in the Province to focus on the delivery of assurance and advisory services. Internal Audit reports to an Audit Committee of Deputy Ministers thereby providing Internal Audit with independence from specific government Departments. Internal Audit supports these Departments by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes. Internal Audit examines and evaluates internal controls to determine if they’re adequate and effective. Compliance issues are regularly addressed and operational reviews assess efficiency and performance. Follow-up procedures and the integration of continuous improvement will continue to broaden the effectiveness of the audit function.

Liability Management and Treasury Services

Mark Gilbert, Acting Director
Liability Management and Treasury Services is responsible for the processes, policies and procedures that ensure effective money management, maximizing return on investments and minimizing debt servicing costs within risk tolerances acceptable to government. Specific business activities include managing the debt portfolio, treasury function and investor relations, and managing the provincial pension funds

Middle Office Compliance and Reporting

Rod MacDougall, Acting Director
The Middle Office ensures that the investment and debt management activities are compliant with legislature as well as Finance's objectives and policy limits by guaranteeing that best-in-class practices/policies/processes are in place to adequately control activities, such as monitoring and reporting ongoing investment and debt activities to management and Governance Committees. 

Shirley Carras, Director
Provides payroll services for employees of the Province, the regional school boards, and selective crown corporations, agencies and boards, as well as for retirees of the province and teachers superannuation plans.

Policy and Planning

Frank Dunn, Executive Director
Policy and Planning works in cooperation with the Treasury and Policy Board to develop corporate fiscal and economic policies, and supports coordinated information flows into and out of the department and intra and inter-departmental collaboration.  This includes development and maintenance of provincial fiscal and debt reduction plans, developing a balanced provincial budget, preparing regular forecast updates, providing policy analysis and advice to the Minister’s Office and executive management on the department’s corporate responsibilities, as well as departmental organization and operations.