David Mark Ritcey (born October 10, 1971)The Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia: a biographical directory from 1984 to the Present: Ritcey, David, page 245 Nova Scotia Legislature is a Canadian politician who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in a by-election on March 10, 2020.Michael Gorman, "Opposition parties split Nova Scotia byelections". CBC News Nova Scotia, March 10, 2020.Lynn Curwin, "VIDEO: Dave Ritcey wins Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River byelection"The Chronicle Herald March 10th, 2020. A member of the Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia, he represents the electoral district of Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River. He has had many years of hockey coaching experience and is a former interim president of the Maritime Junior Hockey League.Saltwire Network, "Dykeman named new president of MHL" June 3, 2019"Dave Ritcey Named Interim MHL President" January 12, 2019 His grandfather, Gerald Ritcey,James Faulkner, "Dave Ritcey Secures PC Nomination for Truro-Bible Hill-Milbrook-Salmon River". CKTO-FM July 22, 2019 had been a MLA for Colchester, parts of which became the current riding, from 1968 to 1974.
On December 12, 2024, Ritcey was appointed to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia as Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage.
On February 20, 2026 Ritcey oversaw $130 million dollars in cuts to cultural programs including cuts to scholarships, arts and publishing grants and programs for Mi'kmaw, Black and Gaelic communities, climate change, health, seniors and youth. He also made unprecedented reductions to the Nova Scotia Museum closing 12 of the 28 sites of the museum system, focusing on closing museums in rural Nova Scotia. Days after the budget was tabled, Ritcey was unable to provide any specific details to reporters during a press conference, deferring instead to staff who had informed organizations impacted by the cuts with a form letter containing no further explanation. "N.S. culture minister faces questions about cuts to tourism, arts" CBC News, February 25, 2026 He told reporters the cuts were needed to focus on resources that make the most difference. Frances Willick, "Hundreds of programs to see provincial funding cut as part of $130M grant reductions" CBC News, February 26, 2026
Electoral record 2024 general election
2021 general election
2020 by-election results
References