Nova Scotia MLA Becky Druhan has officially joined the Nova Scotia Liberal Party after months sitting as an independent.
Druhan made the announcement Monday in Bridgewater alongside Interim Liberal Leader Iain Rankin and Liberal MLA Derek Mombourquette.
“This decision is about how I can best serve Lunenburg West and Nova Scotia,” Druhan said.
Druhan said she spent the past several months reflecting on where her values and approach to public service best aligned after leaving the Progressive Conservatives last fall.
“When I left the PC caucus it was a principal decision about leadership and the kind of public service that I believe Nova Scotians deserve,” she said.
She said conversations with constituents played a major role in the decision.
“What I heard from community really was very encouraging in terms of they encouraged me to trust my judgment,” Druhan said. “People want government that is accountable, respectful, responsive and meets Nova Scotia’s needs.”
Druhan was first elected in 2021 as the Progressive Conservative MLA for Lunenburg West. She later served as education minister and then justice minister and attorney general before leaving the PC caucus in October over what she described at the time as differences in principle with party leadership.
Her move increases the Liberal caucus from two seats to three.
During Monday’s announcement, Druhan also confirmed she plans to run for the Liberal leadership once a race begins.
“I do plan to put my name forward,” she said. “But today my focus is on joining the team and working together with the team.”
Rankin called Druhan a “thoughtful legislator” and said her addition is a sign of momentum for the party following several recent nomination events and membership growth.
As part of the Liberal caucus, Druhan will serve as caucus chair and take on critic roles for Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care, Addictions and Mental Health, Public Works, Housing, Cyber Security and Digital Solutions, Service Nova Scotia and the Advisory Council on the Status of Women.
She will also sit on several legislative committees, including Public Accounts and Health.
Meanwhile, Nova Scotia NDP Leader Claudia Chender said in a statement the party wished Druhan well after her move to the Liberal caucus.
Chender also used the announcement to criticize Premier Tim Houston’s government, saying Nova Scotians are seeing “a return to the austerity and short-sighted decision-making that characterized the last Liberal government.”
