See also:
Ms. Vicki Harnish, deputy minister
Ms. Elizabeth Cody, assistant deputy minister
Mr. Byron Rafuse, controller
The Honourable Graham Steele
Minister of Finance
In addition to his role as Finance Minister, his current responsibilities include:
- Minister of Finance
- 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 Part I of the Gaming Control Act
- Minister responsible for the Utility and Review Board Act
- Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation
- MLA for Halifax Fairview
Graham Steele Biography
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Vicki HarnishDeputy Minister of Finance
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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.
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Byron Rafuse
Controller
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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