Iain Rankin has officially taken over as Interim Leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, as the party continues its rebuilding process following last year’s provincial election.
Rankin has previously led the provincial Liberals, including a stint as Premier prior to Tim Houston forming his first government.
Rankin and Derek Mombourquette have been sharing leadership responsibilities over the past year. With the transition now finalized, Mombourquette will move into the role of House Leader.
Currently, Rankin and Mombourquette hold the only two seats the Liberals have in the provincial legislature.
In his first public focus as interim leader, Rankin is calling for a comprehensive economic strategy in response to the Houston government’s record 1.2-billion-dollar provincial deficit.
He says the province needs stronger legislative oversight and a more disciplined approach to public spending, warning that current financial decisions could have long-term consequences for Nova Scotians.
Rankin is also calling for a full review of departmental spending, saying the province must control costs while still supporting both traditional industries and emerging sectors to keep government programs sustainable.
The Liberal caucus says it will continue focusing on pragmatic, solutions-based opposition over the coming year, as the party works to rebuild and position itself as a centrist alternative at Province House.
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