Nova Scotia Finance Minister Michael Baker, who died of cancer Monday, is seen in December at a news conference in Halifax discussing the province's fiscal update. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)

Nova Scotia Finance Minister Michael Baker has died after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 52.

Baker was diagnosed with a form of skin cancer and had surgery to remove a malignant tumour in his neck in 2006. The Conservative MLA, who sought additional treatment after the disease returned in March 2007, died at his home in the riding of Lunenburg on Monday night.

"Michael's courage and strength were a lesson to all of us and will not be forgotten," Premier Rodney MacDonald said in a release.

Wade Keller, a MacDonald spokesman, said Baker was surrounded by his family when he died.

Baker, regarded as a stalwart member of cabinet under former premier John Hamm and later under MacDonald, warned of tough times ahead when the provincial government forecast last December a surplus of almost $213 million for the 2008-09 budget year. He said at the time there are no guarantees that deficits can be avoided in the future.

A lawyer, Baker was first elected to the legislature in March 1998 and re-elected in 1999, 2003 and 2006.

During his time in government, he held other high-profile portfolios, including transportation and justice. He was also chairman of the treasury and policy board and a former government house leader under MacDonald.

"Michael was an extremely able and dedicated public servant who truly loved Nova Scotia," said MacDonald, adding "his sage advice, his good humour and his boundless enthusiasm for the legislative process will be greatly missed by all members of the legislature."

While fighting cancer, Baker continued to work and was busy preparing the government's spring budget just weeks before his death. His cabinet responsibilities were given to Community Services Minister Chris d'Entremont on an interim basis about a week ago.

Last month, a gaunt Baker was in a wheelchair to attend the dedication of a justice centre in his name in Bridgewater, N.S.

He leaves behind his wife, Cynthia, and two sons.

With files from the Canadian Press