Lloyd Patrick Hines was a Canadian politician born on June 19, 1951. Elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in 2013, he represented the electoral district of Guysborough–Eastern Shore–Tracadie as a member of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party until 2021. He passed away on September 10, 2023, at the age of 72.
Early Political Career
Before entering provincial politics, Hines served as the warden of the Municipality of the District of Guysborough. His role here laid the groundwork for his subsequent election to the Nova Scotia legislature.
Time in Office
Minister of Natural Resources
On July 24, 2015, Hines was appointed to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia as the Minister of Natural Resources.
Controversies
Hines’ tenure was not without controversy. In April 2017, Nova Scotia’s Office of the Ombudsman published a report criticizing him and other senior officials for their “indulgent” spending and “opportunistic” practices. Hines had used his corporate credit card for thousands of dollars in personal purchases and cash advances. Although he repaid all charges, the Ombudsman noted that Hines had essentially used the municipality’s funds as short-term loans.
Re-Election and Judicial Recount
Despite these controversies, Hines was re-elected in the 2017 election. His margin of victory was a slim 71 votes, prompting the Progressive Conservatives to seek a judicial recount. The recount confirmed his victory.
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
On June 15, 2017, Premier Stephen McNeil shuffled his cabinet, moving Hines to Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. In this role, he supported the renewal of Bay Ferries’ operation of “The Cat” ferry between Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and Portland, Maine.
Further Controversy
In February 2019, Hines came under fire for failing to disclose any information about the Yarmouth-Maine Ferry contract, for which he was responsible.
Conclusion and Legacy
Lloyd Patrick Hines was a notable figure in Nova Scotia politics, serving in multiple capacities and often embroiled in controversies. Nevertheless, he made significant contributions to the province’s governance, especially in the sectors of natural resources and transportation. His death marks the end of an eventful political career that had both achievements and challenges.
