Chuck Porter speaks during a COVID-19 Briefing. Photo: NS Government
Nova Scotia’s Lands and Forestry Minister is calling it quits as Chuck Porter announced he will not reoffer in the next provincial election.
Porter adds his name to a growing list of Nova Scotia Liberals who will not be reoffering for the next Provincial election. To date, the list includes former finance minister Karen Casey, former justice minister Mark Furey, and former health minister Leo Glavine.
In a statement released by the Liberal Caucus Porter is quoted saying, “After much contemplation, it is with gratitude that I announce I will not be re-offering in the next provincial election,”
The Liberal cabinet minister has served as the MLA for Hant-West since 2006, though for a majority of that time he was a Progressive Conservative.
Porter won his first election running for the PCs in 2006, he then won again under the PC banner in 2009 and 2013.
During his third term with the PCs, Porter made the decision to leave the party and sit as an independent. He served as an independent for two years before joining the Liberal party and he won the Hant-West riding representing them in 2017.
Since joining the Liberal Porter has filled multiple cabinet roles. He has served as Deputy Speaker, Ministerial Assistant to the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Minister of Municipal Affairs.
Currently, he is serving as both the Minister of Energy and Mines the Minister of Lands and Forestry.
In the recent Liberal leadership race, Porter supported then Forestry Minister Iain Rankin who went on to win the party leadership and acclaim the Premiership.
In Porters statement he said, “Representing the people of Hants West has been one of the greatest honours of my life.”
As for what lies ahead Porter did not shed any light on what his future plans are but he expressed his excitement to start a new chapter of his life.
