Tory Rushton is the MLA for Cumberland South and Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables in Nova Scotia.
He was first elected in a by-election in June 2018 and served for three years as an Opposition MLA. He was re-elected in the August 2021 general election and joined cabinet. He holds the same natural resources portfolio once held by his grandfather, George Henley.
Before entering politics to further serve his communities, Tory was an industrial electrician and then production manager for Oxford Frozen Foods. For 21 years, he also served with the Oxford Fire Department – including 5 years as Deputy Chief and 12 years as Chief. He sat on different fire service executives in Nova Scotia and the Maritimes. He’s also worked as a fire technician and inspector for all levels of government and the private sector in the Maritimes, Quebec and the Eastern United States.
Tory is a proud NSCC graduate, completing the entirety of his electrical apprenticeship in Nova Scotia. He is also a graduate of Dalhousie University’s Fire Service Leadership and Management programs.
Hockey is almost as dear to Tory’s heart as the fire service. Growing up in Oxford, he played for the Oxford Colts and later served as a referee and on the executive of the Cumberland County Minor Hockey Association. These days, he’s coaching one son’s hockey team, supporting his other son to become a referee, and cheering from the stands for his daughter and other young players.
Tory and his wife Tracy live in the Town of Oxford with their three children.
