Dechman entered provincial politics in the
1988 election, winning the Lunenburg West riding by 268 votes.[2][3] In 1989, she was elected Nova Scotia's first woman
Deputy Speaker.[1][4] In February 1991, Dechman was appointed to the
Executive Council of Nova Scotia as Minister of Community Services.[5] On February 17, 1992, she was shuffled to Minister of Counsumer Affairs, and Minister responsible for Housing,[6] which were later merged into one position, Minister of Housing and Consumer Affairs.[7] In the
1993 election, Dechman was defeated by Liberal
Don Downe.[8][9][10]