The Honourable Graham Steele
Minister of Finance
In addition to his role as Finance Minister, his current responsibilities include:
- Minister of Acadian Affairs
- Minister responsible for the Securities Act
- Minister responsible for the Insurance Act
- Minister responsible for the Credit Union Act
- Minister responsible for the Utility and Review Board Act
- Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation
- Minister responsible for the Liquor Control Act
Graham Steele Biography
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Margaret MacDonaldDeputy Minister of Finance
Margaret MacDonald was appointed Deputy Minister of the Department of Finance in November 2010. Prior to this appointment, she was the first Deputy Minister of the new Department of Labour & Workforce Development in 2008, and Deputy Minister of Treasury and Policy Board. Margaret was a senior solicitor with the Department of Justice and legal advisor to a number of government departments, including Natural Resources and Finance. Prior to joining the Department of Justice, Margaret practised for five years with a private law firm.
Margaret is a graduate of St. F. X. University and Dalhousie Law School, and a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and the Canadian Bar Association.
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Byron Rafuse
Associate Deputy Minister
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.
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