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- calendar_today October 20, 2026
David Benoit to Lead Nova Scotia Community College
The province has officially named David Benoit as the new president of the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC). Benoit, who currently serves as president and CEO of Build Nova Scotia, is set to begin his new role on January 1. This leadership transition follows significant changes at the college and is accompanied by remarks regarding its direction and mandate in post-secondary education.
Background and Career of David Benoit
David Benoit has an extensive background in both the public and military sectors. Before his tenure at Build Nova Scotia, the Crown corporation responsible for developing and managing provincial infrastructure, Benoit served in the Royal Canadian Navy for 30 years. His military service included leadership roles where he was engaged in technical education and training, workforce development, organizational transformation, and building partnerships with post-secondary institutions.
He also held the position of senior executive director of strategic investment and infrastructure planning with the Department of Health and Wellness. This breadth of experience, especially in construction, infrastructure, and inter-organizational partnerships, is expected to inform his approach as NSCC president.
A New Era for NSCC Leadership
The college has been led by vice-president Anna Burke since the departure of Don Bureaux in March, who served as president for 15 years. Benoit's appointment marks a significant milestone for the institution as he becomes the first NSCC president appointed by the province since the passage of Bill 12 in 2025, which enabled government appointments to the position.
The recruitment process for the new NSCC president was led by the college’s board, which submitted a recommendation to the Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration, followed by an official government approval process.
Benoit’s Vision and Approach
In an interview, Benoit emphasized his commitment to supporting the college’s mandate of workforce development and economic prosperity for Nova Scotia. He noted that the NSCC is in a strong position to build the province's workforce and stated, "My role as the senior leader of the organization is to support everyone in the organization on delivering what we have in front of us, which is a fantastic opportunity to build the workforce of this province and for this country … to make sure that Nova Scotia's economic prosperity continues and that we're able to meet both the needs of today and those of the future."
Benoit expressed his collaborative leadership style, stating his intent to work closely with the college's senior leadership team, get oriented, and understand NSCC’s challenges and opportunities. He also highlighted the potential for colleges and universities to act as complementary partners in post-secondary education, rather than competitors.
Response to Appointment and Board Support
While some concerns have been raised about the province's new authority to appoint the NSCC president, Benoit said he anticipates little pushback, citing positive messages from across the province and within the NSCC community. Jackie Poirier, chair of the board of governors, described Benoit as bringing “an impressive record of leadership, a strong alignment with NSCC’s mandate and values, and the experience and judgement to serve with distinction as the college’s next president.”
Looking Ahead for NSCC and Provincial Education
Benoit’s appointment comes at a significant time for Nova Scotia’s post-secondary landscape, with evolving needs in workforce development and ongoing discussions about post-secondary governance. As NSCC’s next leader, Benoit is expected to draw on his experience with Nova Scotia infrastructure and broad organizational management to guide the provincial college into its next chapter.
Source: cbc.ca.
