Bolivar-Getson entered provincial politics in the 2003 election, winning the Lunenburg West riding. In August 2003, she was appointed to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia as Minister of Human Resources, Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission, and Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women Act. When Rodney MacDonald took over as premier in February 2006, he named Bolivar-Getson as Minister of Environment and Labour.
