Since Confederation, the province has been a part of the Canadian federation and has kept its own legislature to deal with provincial matters.

[1] Nova Scotia has a unicameral Westminster-style parliamentary government, in which the premier is the leader of the party that controls the most seats in the House of Assembly.

The premier picks a cabinet from the elected members to form the Executive Council of Nova Scotia, and presides over that body.

An election may also occur if the governing party loses the confidence of the legislature by the defeat of a supply bill or tabling of a confidence motion.

[2] Nova Scotia has had 27 individuals serve as premier since Confederation, of which 12 were Conservatives, 14 were Liberals, and one New Democrat.

Two premiers of Nova Scotia later became prime minister of Canada, John Sparrow David Thompson and Charles Tupper.

Premiers of the pre-Confederation period 1851 election (19th Leg.)

Premiers of the post-Confederation period 1871 election (25th Leg.