The Honourable Michael Baker has been minister of the Department of Finance since May 2006.
See also:
Ms. Vicki Harnish, deputy minister
Ms. Elizabeth Cody, assistant deputy minister
Mr. Byron Rafuse, controller
The Honourable Michael Baker, Q.C.Minister of Finance
Minister Baker was appointed Minister of Finance in February 2006. In addition to this role, his current responsibilities include:
- Minister of Aboriginal Affairs;
- Minister responsible for Part 1 of the Gaming Control Act;
- Minister responsible for the Securities Act;
- Minister responsible for the Insurance Act;
- Minister responsible for the Elections Act;
- Minister responsible for the Retail Business Uniform Closing Day Act; and
- Minister responsible for the Utility and Review Board Act.
Mr. Baker was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in March 1998, re elected July 1999, August 2003, and June 2006. Cabinet duties over the years have included:
- Minister of Transportation and Public Works;
- Minister of Aboriginal Affairs;
- Minister of Justice;
- Minister responsible for Communications Nova Scotia;
- Minister responsible for the administration of the Human Rights Act;
- Minister responsible for the Regulations Act; and
- Minister responsible for Part II of the Workers Compensation Act.
Before his career in politics, he practised law at a private firm and acted as the Mahone Bay town solicitor. He also served as president of the Lunenburg County Barristers Association, member of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society Council and director of Marine Atlantic. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1999.
Mr. Baker has served on the board for Family and Children Services of Lunenburg County and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. He has also chaired various committees chair of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, and vice chair of the South Shore Residential Tenancies Board and the Lunenburg County Regional Housing Authority. He was president of the Lunenburg Academy Foundation and is the recipient of the Sherman Zwicker Citizenship Award.
Mr. Baker holds a bachelor of law degree from Dalhousie University.
He and his wife, Cynthia, live in Lunenburg and have two sons.
back to top
Vicki HarnishDeputy Minister of Finance
Vicki Harnish joined the Department of Finance in January 2004 as deputy minister.
Vicki has extensive government experience, with more than 25 years spent working for the Province of Nova Scotia, mainly in the fields of policy and planning.
She started with the Department of Mines and Energy, where she spent several years as the director of energy economics. She then moved to the Department of Natural Resources as the director of the planning secretariat.
In January 2001, she served as executive officer of the Treasury and Policy Board, the central agency responsible for advising the Nova Scotia cabinet and its subcommittees on both policy and budget issues.
In June 2002, Vicki was appointed the new public service commissioner and also took on the role of Secretary to the Executive Council. In August 2003, she was appointed deputy minister of Treasury and Policy Board in addition to her duties as public service commissioner.
Vicki holds a bachelor of economics and mathematics degree from Mount Saint Vincent University and a master’s degree in public administration from Dalhousie University. Most recently, she received the certified director certification from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Vicki and her husband, Lorne, live in Hubbards and have raised two daughters.
back to top
Elizabeth (Liz) Cody Assistant Deputy Minister of Finance
Elizabeth Cody was appointed assistant deputy minister of the Department of Finance in May 2003.
She started with the Department of Finance in 1980 as an economist in the federal provincial taxation and fiscal policy division. She later became director of the division for six years.
In April 1996, she was appointed to executive director for the fiscal and economic policy branch. In September 2002, she was appointed acting assistant deputy minister.
Liz holds a bachelor of business administration degree from Mount Saint Vincent University and a master’s degree in public administration from Dalhousie University.
Liz and her husband, Paul, live in Dartmouth and have three children.
back to top
Byron RafuseController
Byron Rafuse joined the Department of Finance in September 2004 as controller.
Byron has extensive government experience, with 25 years spent working for the Province of Nova Scotia.
Prior to joining the controller’s office in 2004, Byron spent several years in various senior financial and program positions at the Department of Solicitor General, the Department of Justice and the Department of Finance. He was also appointed to the position of chief financial officer with the Department of Health.
Byron participates in the annual development of Nova Scotia’s provincial budget and is a member of the corporate financial system implementation team.
He serves on the board for the Nova Scotia chapter of the Society of Managerial Accountants of Canada.
Byron holds a bachelor of commerce degree from St. Mary’s University, and holds his Certified Management Accountant designation.
He and his wife live in Halifax and have one child.
back to top