Tim Houston

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix = The Honourable

| name = Tim Houston

| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|ECNS|MLA|FCPA|size=100%}}

| image = TimHouston.png

| caption = Houston in 2016

| term_start1 = August 31, 2021{{cite news |title=N.S. Premier-designate Tim Houston, new cabinet to be sworn-in Aug. 31 |url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-s-premier-designate-tim-houston-new-cabinet-to-be-sworn-in-aug-31-1.5555025|access-date=November 3, 2021 |work=CTV News Atlantic |date=August 20, 2021|first1=Natasha|last1=Pace|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404081202/https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-s-premier-designate-tim-houston-new-cabinet-to-be-sworn-in-aug-31-1.5555025|archive-date=2023-04-04}}

| term_end1 =

| monarch1 = {{ubl|Elizabeth II|Charles III}}

| lieutenant_governor1 = Arthur LeBlanc
Michael Savage

| deputy1 = {{ubl|Allan MacMaster|Tim Halman|Barbara Adams}}

| predecessor1 = Iain Rankin

| office2 = Leader of the Opposition (Nova Scotia)

| term_start2 = October 27, 2018

| term_end2 = August 31, 2021{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-premier-cabinet-swearing-in-ceremony-1.6159449|title=Nova Scotia's new premier, cabinet sworn in at a ceremony in Halifax|publisher=CBC News|date=August 31, 2021|first1=Shaina|last1=Luck|first2=Michael|last2=Gorman|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217185808/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-premier-cabinet-swearing-in-ceremony-1.6159449|archive-date=2024-12-17|access-date=2025-03-20}}

| predecessor2 = Karla MacFarlane

| successor2 = Iain Rankin

| office3 = Leader of the Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia

| term_start3 = October 27, 2018

| term_end3 =

| predecessor3 = Karla MacFarlane (interim)

| successor3 =

| assembly4 = Nova Scotia House of

| constituency_AM4 = Pictou East

| term_start4 = October 8, 2013

| term_end4 =

| predecessor4 = Clarrie MacKinnon

| successor4 =

| birth_name = Timothy Jerome Houston{{cite web |title=District 40: Pictou East |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/district-40-pictou-east-1.1408018 |website=CBC.ca |publisher=CBC |date=April 23, 2013|access-date=March 10, 2019}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|04|10}}{{cite news |title=A look at Tim Houston, leader of the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservatives |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/nova-scotia/a-look-at-tim-houston-leader-of-the-nova-scotia-progressive-conservatives/article_4919718c-abcb-5bcb-9b96-640d2df4298d.html |date=October 27, 2024 |work=Toronto Star |publisher=The Canadian Press |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320121242/https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/nova-scotia/a-look-at-tim-houston-leader-of-the-nova-scotia-progressive-conservatives/article_4919718c-abcb-5bcb-9b96-640d2df4298d.html |archive-date=2025-03-20 |access-date=2025-03-20}}

| birth_place = Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada{{cite news |last1=MacInnis |first1=Adam |last2=Adshade|first2=Kevin |title=Pictou County's history of Tory leadership |url=https://www.ngnews.ca/news/local/pictou-countys-history-of-tory-leadership-255303/ |access-date=March 10, 2019 |work=NG News |date=October 31, 2018}}

| party = Progressive Conservative

| alma_mater = Saint Mary's University (BCom)

| spouse = Carol Houston

| children = 2

| occupation = {{hlist|Accountant|politician}}

| website = {{URL|www.timhouston.ca}}

}}

Timothy Jerome Houston{{efn|Pronounced {{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-Houston.ogg|ˈ|h|juː|s|t|ən}} {{respell|HEW|stən}}.{{Cite AV media |title=Nova Scotia Town Hall with Premier Tim Houston |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9IvlRsZnws&t=203s |date=2023-03-23 |time=3:23 |access-date=2023-09-15}}}} {{post-nominals|country=CAN|ECNS|MLA|FCPA}} (born April 10, 1970) is a Canadian politician who has served as the 30th and current premier of Nova Scotia since 2021, and leader of the Progressive Conservative Party since 2017. He was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2013 provincial election, and represents the electoral district of Pictou East. Houston also served as the leader of the opposition from 2018 to 2021.{{cite news|url=http://pcparty.ns.ca/MLA/tim-houston/|title=Tim Houston - MLA for Pictou East - PC Party of NS|work=PC Party NS|access-date=2018-04-16|language=en-US}} He and the Progressive Conservative party won a majority government in the 2021 Nova Scotia general election, becoming the first Progressive Conservative premier since 2009.{{cite news |last=Gorman |first=Michael |date=August 17, 2021 |title=Progressive Conservatives surge to surprise majority win in Nova Scotia election |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/election-campaign-liberals-ndp-pc-1.6144162 |location=Nova Scotia |publisher=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118110805/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/election-campaign-liberals-ndp-pc-1.6144162 |archive-date=2025-01-18 |access-date=2025-03-20}} He called a snap election in 2024, increasing his party's majority mandate.

Early life and education

Houston was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and grew up in a military family on bases across Canada. He attended Halifax West High School.{{cite news |last=DeMont |first=John |date=October 28, 2024 |title=Feeling the weight of re-election in Nova Scotia |url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/john-demont-feeling-the-weight-of-re-election-in-nova-scotia-101003325 |work=PNI Atlantic |publisher=Postmedia Network |access-date=2025-03-19}}{{cite web |title=Honourable Tim Houston - Biography |url=https://premier.novascotia.ca/ |website=premier.novascotia.ca |publisher=Government of Nova Scotia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210222729/https://premier.novascotia.ca/ |archive-date=2025-02-10 |access-date=2025-03-19}}

Houston attended Saint Mary's University, where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce. He went on to receive his Chartered Accountant designation in Halifax, before moving to Bermuda where he worked with Deloitte in the insurance industry. On November 2, 2020, he was awarded the accounting profession's highest mark of distinction, the Fellow (FCPA) designation, by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Nova Scotia.{{Cite web|title=CPA Nova Scotia Awards Prestigious Fellow Designation to Seven Professional Accountants|url=https://www.cpans.ca/web/cpans/News/CPA_Nova_Scotia_Awards_Prestigious_Fellow_Designation_to_Seven_Professional_Accountants_.aspx|access-date=2021-01-03|website=www.cpans.ca|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302104957/https://www.cpans.ca/web/cpans/News/CPA_Nova_Scotia_Awards_Prestigious_Fellow_Designation_to_Seven_Professional_Accountants_.aspx|archive-date=2021-03-02}}

Political career

On November 27, 2012, Houston won the Progressive Conservative nomination in the riding of Pictou East for the 2013 Nova Scotia general election.{{cite web |title=Pictou East PC nominee wants riding to have voice in Halifax |url=https://www.ngnews.ca/news/local/pictou-east-pc-nominee-wants-riding-to-have-voice-in-halifax-76452/ |website=March 10, 2019 |publisher=NG News |date=November 29, 2012|access-date=March 10, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407011917/https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/news/local/pictou-east-pc-nominee-wants-riding-to-have-voice-in-halifax-76452/ |archive-date=2023-04-07}}

He was elected MLA of Pictou East on October 8, 2013, with 48.05% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1159376-tories-take-pictou-county-ridings-back-from-ndp|title=Tories take Pictou County ridings back from NDP|work=The Chronicle Herald|date=October 8, 2013|access-date=2015-07-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906150644/http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1159376-tories-take-pictou-county-ridings-back-from-ndp |archive-date=2018-09-06}}{{cite web |date=December 2013 |title=Statement of Votes and Statistics |url=https://electionsnovascotia.ca/sites/default/files/Web_SOVColour_Final[1].pdf |publisher=Elections Nova Scotia |page=18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125053445/https://electionsnovascotia.ca/sites/default/files/Web_SOVColour_Final[1].pdf |archive-date=2025-01-25 |access-date=2025-03-20}} He was re-elected on May 30, 2017 with 73.9% of the vote.{{cite web |date=September 2017 |title=Statement of Votes and Statistics |url=https://electionsnovascotia.ca/sites/default/files/2017_SOVvolume1.pdf |publisher=Elections Nova Scotia |page=12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204190408/https://electionsnovascotia.ca/sites/default/files/2017_SOVvolume1.pdf |archive-date=2024-02-04 |access-date=2025-03-20}}

On November 19, 2017, Houston announced his candidacy for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/tim-houston-running-for-pc-party-leader-1.4409407|title='Time to win': Tim Houston running for PC Party leader|date=November 19, 2017|publisher=CBC News|access-date=2017-11-22|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202180445/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/tim-houston-running-for-pc-party-leader-1.4409407|archive-date=2024-12-02}}{{cite web|url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/local/tim-houston-announces-pc-leadership-candidacy-163182/|title=Tim Houston announces bid for PC leadership|date=November 20, 2017|work=The Chronicle Herald|last=Macdonald|first=Sam|access-date=2021-03-31|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518110024/https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/local/tim-houston-announces-pc-leadership-candidacy-163182/|archive-date=2021-05-18}} Houston was elected leader of the Progressive Conservative Party after the first ballot results were announced on October 27, 2018, at the party's leadership convention in Halifax. He earned 48.96% of the points on the first ballot, leaving other candidates no clear path to victory. The other candidates conceded after the first ballot.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/progressive-conservative-party-halifax-1.4880750|title=Houston surges to victory in PC leadership race|publisher=CBC News|date=October 27, 2018|access-date=2019-02-20|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250101034017/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/progressive-conservative-party-halifax-1.4880750|archive-date=2025-01-01}}

Houston has been publicly open to the option of fracking in Nova Scotia. During his time as finance critic in 2016, Houston criticized the Liberal government of the time for not permitting fracking, stating "You can't hold industry and people hostage to your own political wills. You have to, kind of, explain to people what you're doing and why you're doing it".{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-fracking-government-1.3634956|title=Delays on Nova Scotia fracking regulations could be political|work=CBC News|date=June 15, 2016|access-date=2019-05-27|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202083028/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-fracking-government-1.3634956|archive-date=2025-02-02}} In 2025, Houston's majority government put forward legislation to lift the moratorium on fracking for onshore gas, as well as the ban on uranium exploration and mining.{{cite news |last=Gorman |first=Michael |date=March 17, 2025 |title=Public pushes back against government bill that would lift N.S. ban on uranium mining, fracking |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/fracking-uranium-mining-natural-resources-tim-houston-1.7486031 |publisher=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319141312/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/fracking-uranium-mining-natural-resources-tim-houston-1.7486031 |archive-date=2025-03-19 |access-date=2025-03-20}}

Houston has been critical of the Conservative Party of Canada's 2025 federal election campaign.{{cite news |last=Lau |first=Rebecca |date=30 April 2025 |title=Poilievre's Conservatives must do 'soul-searching' after election loss: N.S. premier |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/11157356/nova-scotia-premier-tim-houston-conservatives-federal-election/ |work=Global News |location= |publisher= |access-date=14 May 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501225134/https://globalnews.ca/news/11157356/nova-scotia-premier-tim-houston-conservatives-federal-election/ |archive-date=1 May 2025}}

=2021 provincial election=

The incumbent Liberals held a 75% approval rating in June 2021.{{cite web |last=Tarrant |first=David |date=August 20, 2021 |url=https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/tarrant-lessons-from-nova-scotias-historic-election | title=Lessons from Nova Scotia's historic election |publisher=Toronto Sun |access-date=2025-03-20 |url-status=live |archive-date=2024-11-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130173443/https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/tarrant-lessons-from-nova-scotias-historic-election}} In an upset,{{Cite web|url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/tories-surge-to-upset-majority-win-in-n-s-election-with-a-campaign-focused-on-health-1.5550988|title = Tories surge to upset majority win in N.S. Election with a campaign focused on health|date = 17 August 2021}}{{dead link|date=March 2025}} Houston and the Progressive Conservatives won a majority government in the 2021 Nova Scotia general election, becoming the first Progressive Conservative premier since 2009. Houston ran on a Red Tory platform that promised more spending on health care.{{Cite web|url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-b-should-be-on-alert-as-new-n-s-premier-promises-more-health-care-spending-union-1.5553881|title=N.B. Should be on 'alert' as new N.S. Premier promises more health care spending: Union|date=19 August 2021}}{{dead link|date=March 2025}}

=2024 provincial election=

Houston's Progressive Conservatives won a supermajority in the 2024 election, with the New Democratic Party (NDP) forming the Official Opposition.{{cite news |last=DeMaine |first=Clayton |date=26 November 2024 |title=Tim Houston's PCs win second consecutive majority government in Nova Scotia |url=https://tnc.news/2024/11/26/tim-houstons-nova-scotia-win-majority/ |work=True North |location= |publisher= |access-date=14 May 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125092415/https://tnc.news/2024/11/26/tim-houstons-nova-scotia-win-majority/ |archive-date=25 January 2025}}

Premier of Nova Scotia

Houston and his cabinet were sworn in on August 31, 2021.{{cite news |last=Stoodley |first=Chris |date=August 31, 2021 |title=Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, 18 ministers sworn into office |url=https://halifax.citynews.ca/2021/08/31/nova-scotia-premier-tim-houston-18-ministers-sworn-into-office-4269347/ |url-status=live |work=CityNews |location=Halifax, Nova Scotia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116155243/https://halifax.citynews.ca/2021/08/31/nova-scotia-premier-tim-houston-18-ministers-sworn-into-office-4269347/ |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |access-date=January 16, 2024}}

= Healthcare system =

One day after being sworn in, Houston fired the CEO and board of the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA), the provincial healthcare provider. He stated that he "needed a clean slate at the helm of his leadership team" for the Progressive Conservatives' intended overhaul of the healthcare system. Houston appointed a new NSHA board as well as a new CEO, Karen Oldfield, who possessed no prior healthcare experience.{{cite news |last1=Gorman |first1=Michael |title=N.S. premier, health minister fire provincial health authority CEO and board |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/health-care-tim-houston-michelle-thompson-1.6160846 |publisher=CBC News |date=1 September 2021|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118083327/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/health-care-tim-houston-michelle-thompson-1.6160846 |archive-date=2025-01-18 |access-date=2025-03-20}}

The Houston government lifted Nova Scotia's COVID-19 measures in March 2022, including public health restrictions and mask requirements. Infectious disease experts questioned the move and predicted a rise in cases.{{cite news |last1=Patil |first1=Anjuli |title=Nova Scotia to lift all COVID-19 restrictions by March 21 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/covid-19-update-wednesday-february-23-1.6361084 |publisher=CBC |date=23 February 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120072253/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/covid-19-update-wednesday-february-23-1.6361084 |archive-date=2025-01-20 |access-date=2025-03-20}}{{cite news |last1=Laroche |first1=Jean |title=Infectious disease expert sees no 'good scientific reason' for N.S. lifting mask mandate |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mask-mandate-public-health-covid-19-ns-government-1.6384567 |publisher=CBC |date=14 March 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406050203/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mask-mandate-public-health-covid-19-ns-government-1.6384567 |archive-date=2023-04-06 |access-date=2025-03-20}} In May 2022, the government lifted mask requirements in public schools.{{cite news |last1=Renić |first1=Karla |title='Mixed emotions' among N.S. teachers as mask mandate in public schools ends |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8864835/mask-mandate-nova-scotia-schools-ends/ |work=Global News |date=24 May 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908032606/https://globalnews.ca/news/8864835/mask-mandate-nova-scotia-schools-ends/ |archive-date=2024-09-08 |access-date=2025-03-20}} In July 2022, the government ended the requirement for those infected with COVID-19 to isolate.{{cite news |last1=Chisholm |first1=Cassidy |title=N.S. to end mandatory isolation for people with COVID-19 starting July 6 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/public-covid-restrictions-lifted-wednesday-1.6509666 |publisher=CBC |date=4 July 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118075431/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/public-covid-restrictions-lifted-wednesday-1.6509666 |archive-date=2025-01-18 |access-date=2025-03-20}} The number of cases (and associated deaths) increased thereafter, which some experts attributed to the government's lifting of pandemic precautions.{{cite news |last1=Woodbury |first1=Richard |title=Nova Scotia surpasses 1,000 COVID-19 deaths |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-one-thousand-covid-deaths-1.7059463 |publisher=CBC |date=22 December 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119183309/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-one-thousand-covid-deaths-1.7059463 |archive-date=2024-01-19 |access-date=2025-03-20}}{{cite news |last1=Lurie |first1=Shira |title=SHIRA LURIE: Nova Scotia's 'living with COVID' strategy backfires |url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/opinion/shira-lurie-nova-scotias-living-with-covid-strategy-backfires-100757971/ |publisher=SaltWire Network |date=28 July 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Shaw |first1=Kyle |title=Making sense of this nonsensical COVID year |url=https://www.thecoast.ca/news-opinion/making-sense-of-this-nonsensical-covid-year-29955473 |work=The Coast |date=28 December 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215042338/https://www.thecoast.ca/news-opinion/making-sense-of-this-nonsensical-covid-year-29955473 |archive-date=2024-02-15 |access-date=2025-03-20}}

= Crown corporations =

Shortly after taking office, Houston launched a review of 20 provincial Crown corporations to "[ensure] the most efficient and accountable methodology for the undertaking of their respective tasks".{{cite web |title=Government Seeks Feedback on 20 Agencies, Boards and Crown Corporations |url=https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20220201003 |publisher=Province of Nova Scotia |date=1 February 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404205729/https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20220201003 |archive-date=2023-04-04 |access-date=2025-03-20}}

In July 2022, the Houston government announced a reshuffle of several agencies. Nova Scotia Lands and Develop Nova Scotia would be merged to form a new corporation called Build Nova Scotia. Innovacorp, Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI), and the Invest Nova Scotia Fund would be merged into the new Invest Nova Scotia. Decision-making power was removed from boards, with the organizations placed under direct government control: Invest Nova Scotia would now report directly to the minister of economic development, while Build Nova Scotia would be overseen by the minister for public works. Existing CEOs and boards were terminated from their positions.{{cite news |last1=Gorman |first1=Michael |title=N.S. government cuts Crown corporations in quest for more efficient operations |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/crown-corporations-houston-government-streamlining-combining-1.6532376 |publisher=CBC News |date=26 July 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250308064352/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/crown-corporations-houston-government-streamlining-combining-1.6532376 |archive-date=2025-03-08 |access-date=2025-03-20}}

Opposition leaders accused Houston of nepotism after appointing "personal friends" as interim CEOs of the two new agencies; Tom Hickey would lead Invest Nova Scotia, while Wayne Crawley would head Build Nova Scotia.{{cite news |last1=Thomas |first1=Jesse |title=N.S. premier defends appointing business friends as Crown executive chairs |url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-s-premier-defends-appointing-business-friends-as-crown-executive-chairs-1.6007967 |work=CTV News |date=29 July 2022|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729235209/https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-s-premier-defends-appointing-business-friends-as-crown-executive-chairs-1.6007967 |archive-date=2022-07-29 |access-date=2025-03-20}} Each will receive up to $18,000 a month in remuneration. Nova Scotia NDP leader Claudia Chender criticized Houston for hiring friends rather than putting the posts to open competition. Houston defended the appointments, stating that Hickey and Crawley were the most qualified. Hickey resigned two weeks into his appointment, citing an inability to commit enough time to the role.{{cite news |title=Head of new N.S. Crown corporation resigns 2 weeks after appointment |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/invest-nova-scotia-executive-chair-resigns-1.6546904 |publisher=CBC |date=10 August 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118095913/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/invest-nova-scotia-executive-chair-resigns-1.6546904|archive-date=2025-01-18|access-date=2025-03-20}}

The Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency was established during Houston's premiership to administer the province's public housing, amalgamating several existing housing authorities.{{cite news |last=Gorman |first=Michael |date=20 October 2022 |title=N.S. government unveils details of new housing agency |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/n-s-government-unveils-details-of-new-housing-agency-1.6623933 |publisher=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241118051010/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/n-s-government-unveils-details-of-new-housing-agency-1.6623933 |archive-date=2024-11-18 |access-date=2025-03-20}} In addition, the Joint Regional Transportation Agency was created "for the purpose of creating a master transportation plan" for the metropolitan Halifax region.{{cite web |date=2021-11-05 |title=Bill No. 61 - Joint Regional Transportation Agency Act |url=https://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/64th_1st/3rd_read/b061.htm |publisher=Nova Scotia Legislature |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121004016/https://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/64th_1st/3rd_read/b061.htm |archive-date=2025-01-21 |access-date=2025-03-20}}

= Art gallery =

Citing rising costs, Houston announced in July 2022 an indefinite "pause" to plans to construct a new Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Construction had been slated to begin in late 2022 on a new gallery complex on the Halifax waterfront, designed by Halifax architect Omar Gandhi.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Simon |title=Construction of new Art Gallery of Nova Scotia put on hold |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/province-puts-art-gallery-of-nova-scotia-build-on-hold-1.6533598 |publisher=CBC |date=27 July 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223173908/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/province-puts-art-gallery-of-nova-scotia-build-on-hold-1.6533598|archive-date=2025-02-23}}

= Conservation lands =

In 2022, the provincial government announced that Owls Head, a 266-hectare piece of land on the Eastern Shore, would be designated a provincial park. A controversial golf course development had previously been planned for the site. Houston had written of the proposal in 2021, "I will never allow this type of situation to happen under my watch and certainly wouldn't instigate it like [former premier Iain Rankin] did."{{cite news |last1=Palmater |first1=Paul |title=Owls Head, once considered for controversial golf course, designated as provincial park |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/0wls-head-land-new-provincial-park-golf-course-plan-withdrawn-1.6488350 |publisher=CBC |date=14 June 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118090305/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/0wls-head-land-new-provincial-park-golf-course-plan-withdrawn-1.6488350 |archive-date=2025-01-18 |access-date=2025-03-20}}{{cite news |last1=Laroche |first1=Jean |title=Environmentalist says 2021 e-mail shows Tim Houston supported protecting parks from golf developers |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/tim-houston-email-neil-livingston-owl-s-head-protected-land-mabou-beach-1.6674480 |publisher=CBC |date=5 December 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320140953/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/tim-houston-email-neil-livingston-owl-s-head-protected-land-mabou-beach-1.6674480 |archive-date=2025-03-20 |access-date=2025-03-20}}

In a similar case, public concern had emerged over a proposed golf course conceived by a private developer, to be located at West Mabou Beach Provincial Park in Cape Breton. In late 2022, Houston said that the proposal would get due process and be subject to public consultation.{{cite news |last1=Henderson |first1=Jennifer |title=Houston says any request from Cabot to build golf course in Mabou park will get due process |url=https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/province-house-2/houston-says-any-request-from-cabot-to-build-golf-course-in-mabou-park-will-get-due-process/ |work=Halifax Examiner |date=25 October 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126171555/https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/province-house-2/houston-says-any-request-from-cabot-to-build-golf-course-in-mabou-park-will-get-due-process/ |archive-date=2024-01-26 |access-date=2025-03-20}} In April 2023, the government informed the developer it would not consider the proposal as there is no mechanism within the Provincial Parks Act to allow it to proceed.{{cite news |last1=Gorman |first1=Michael |title=N.S. government says no to golf course in West Mabou Beach Provincial Park |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/west-mabou-beach-provincial-park-cabot-golf-tory-rushton-1.6817243 |publisher=CBC News |date=20 April 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225141447/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/west-mabou-beach-provincial-park-cabot-golf-tory-rushton-1.6817243 |archive-date=2024-02-25 |access-date=2025-03-20}}

In December 2023, the province announced 23 new or expanded protected areas, protecting around 14,000 additional hectares of land.{{cite news |last1=Gorman |first1=Michael |title=N.S. government announces more protected areas, strategy to reach 2030 target |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/environment-forests-protection-tim-halman-mike-lancaster-1.7065561 |publisher=CBC |date=20 December 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222201911/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/environment-forests-protection-tim-halman-mike-lancaster-1.7065561 |archive-date=2023-12-22 |access-date=2025-03-20}}

Personal life

Houston lives in Pictou County with his wife Carol, and children Paget and Zachary.

In 2017, it came to light that Houston's name had been mentioned several times in the Paradise Papers,{{cite news |url=https://www.thecoast.ca/RealityBites/archives/2017/11/23/pc-leadership-candidate-named-in-paradise-papers |title=PC leadership candidate downplays Paradise Papers connection |work=The Coast |date=2017-11-23 |access-date=2019-04-24 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603091624/https://www.thecoast.ca/news-opinion/updated-pc-leadership-candidate-downplays-paradise-papers-connection-11060090 |archive-date=2023-06-03}} due to him having held positions as director and vice-president of Inter-Ocean Holdings and several related Bermuda-based reinsurance companies while living and working in Bermuda.{{Cite web |url=https://offshoreleaks.icij.org/nodes/80078700 |title=Houston, Timothy Jerome |website=Offshore Leaks Database/International Consortium of Investigative Journalists |language=en-CA |access-date=2020-09-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404145501/https://offshoreleaks.icij.org/nodes/80078700 |archive-date=2023-04-04}}

Houston had a cameo role in the 2023 Hallmark film The Secret Gift of Christmas, which was filmed in Nova Scotia. He also appeared in Sullivan's Crossing, season 3.{{cite news |last=Spurr |first=Bill |date=December 14, 2023 |title=Film industry's focus on Nova Scotia continues to bring in the bucks |url=https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/business/film-industrys-focus-on-nova-scotia-continues-to-bring-in-the-bucks-100921221/ |work=PNI Atlantic |publisher=Postmedia Network |access-date=2025-03-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202172328/https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/business/film-industrys-focus-on-nova-scotia-continues-to-bring-in-the-bucks-100921221/ |archive-date=2024-12-02}}