Members Announced for Premier's Council on the Economy

NOTE: A list of the appointments follows this release.

Premier Darrell Dexter, today, April 27, announced the appointment of 19 prominent members from Nova Scotia's business, labour and voluntary sectors to serve on the Premier's Council on the Economy.

They will join co-chairs Robert Patzelt and Rick Clarke who were named to the council in January.

"We are bringing together a group of Nova Scotians with a vast wealth of knowledge and expertise in their fields to inform government on how to grow the economy, while living within our means," said Premier Dexter.

The premier created a council on the economy after a recommendation from an economic advisory panel in November. The council will provide advice to government on strategies and actions to grow the economy and act as a sounding board on government initiatives for labour force development and fiscal management as directed by the premier.

"Even though Nova Scotia is facing some tough financial challenges, government is taking the necessary steps to keep the province competitive, ensure good jobs for Nova Scotians and create a province where people will want to live, work and raise their families," Premier Dexter said.

The council will meet a minimum of three times a year.

The new members of the Premier's Council on the Economy are:

• Suki Starnes, Second Story Women's Center in Lunenburg
• Joe Shannon, Atlantic Corporation Limited
• Valerie Payn, Halifax Chamber of Commerce
• Michael Donovan, DHX Media
• Jim Spatz, Southwest Properties
• Darlene Grant Fiander, Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia
• Sean Riley, St. Francis Xavier University
• Catherine J. Woodman, United Way of Halifax
• Joan Jessome, Nova Scotia Government Employees Union
• Raymond Larkin, Pink Larkin
• Danny Cavanagh, Canadian Union of Public Employees
• Dan Christmas, Membertou First Nation
• Les Holloway, Canadian Auto Workers Union
• Brian Wentzell, Ecology Action Centre
• Tom McNamara, Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union
• Alyson Queen, Fusion Halifax
• J.P. Deveau, Acadian Seaplants
• Cordell Cole, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
• Daurene Lewis, Institute of Technology Campus, NSCC