FREDERICTON (CNB) - Additions and changes to cabinet were announced today by Premier Shawn Graham. Graham said that these changes are intended to strengthen the government as it prepares for a new sitting of the legislature, and to bring new voices to the cabinet table in support of the government's self-sufficiency agenda.
"These three individuals have distinguished themselves as MLAs and as members of caucus and legislative committees," Graham said. "They have proven their abilities through hard work for their constituents, and for all New Brunswickers. As we prepare for the coming legislative session, I am pleased to welcome them to cabinet. Along with the three ministers assuming new portfolios, they will play an even stronger role in moving New Brunswick towards self-sufficiency."
Three new ministers were sworn in:
- Rick Brewer, MLA for Southwest Miramichi, becomes minister of human resources and minister responsible for aboriginal affairs;
- Brian Kenny, MLA for Bathurst, becomes minister of state for seniors, and minister responsible for the non-profit organizations secretariat; and
- Bernard LeBlanc, MLA for Memramcook-Lakeville-Dieppe, becomes minister of local government.
Three ministers will assume responsibility for new portfolios:
- Wally Stiles, formerly minister of human resources, becomes minister of natural resources;
- Donald Arseneault, formerly minister of natural resources, becomes minister of post-secondary education, training and labour; and
- Ed Doherty, formerly minister of post-secondary education, training and labour, becomes minister of supply and services.
One minister will take on an additional portfolio:
- Mary Schryer, currently minister of social development, becomes also minister responsible for housing.
"I'd also like to thank Energy Minister Jack Keir for serving as minister of supply and services for the past 11 months," Graham said. "With all the work he has been doing to build our province as the Energy Hub, we are extremely grateful for the many additional hours he has put in each week representing Supply and Services."
Graham also announced that two ministers are leaving cabinet. Carmel Robichaud, currently minister of local government and minister responsible for community non-profit organizations; and Eugene McGinley, minister of state for seniors and housing, retire from cabinet, effective today. They will remain in the legislature as MLAs.
"On behalf of all my cabinet colleagues and all the members of the New Brunswick legislature, I want to thank Carmel Robichaud and Eugene McGinley for their many years of service to the people of New Brunswick," Graham said. "I am glad to say that they will continue to serve our province and their constituents as MLAs."
EDITOR'S NOTE: Biographical information on new cabinet members follows.
Biographical information on new cabinet members
Rick Brewer, minister of human resources, and minister responsible for aboriginal affairs
A resident of Boiestown, Rick Brewer worked in the grocery industry for over 26 years before entering politics. He was first elected to the legislature as MLA for Southwest Miramichi on June 9, 2003. As a member of the official opposition he was the critic for interests relating to the Department of Supply and Services. He also served as a substitute on the select committee for wood supply in 2004.
Brewer was re-elected to serve in the 56th legislature in the provincial election held Sept. 18, 2006. In early October 2006, Premier Shawn Graham appointed Brewer as government whip. He served on the following legislative committees: standing committee on Crown corporations, standing committee on estimates, standing committee on law amendments, standing committee on public accounts, and chairman of the standing committee on legislative officers. He was named minister of human resources and minister responsible for aboriginal affairs on Nov. 12, 2008.
Brewer has been married to Ruth, formerly from Iquitos, Peru, for the past 27 years. They have two children, Dwayne Brewer and Raquel Adams; a daughter-in-law, Tammy; son-in-law, Stuart; and grandchildren, Connor Richard and Jade Emma. The Brewers own and operate the Taxis River Convenience Store in Boiestown.
Brian Kenny, minister of state for seniors, and minister responsible for the non-profit organizations secretariat
Brian Kenny as first elected to the legislature as MLA for Bathurst on June 9, 2003. During the 55th legislature he was a member of the standing committee on ombudsman, and was the critic for interests relating to the Regional Development Corporation. Re-elected on Sept. 18, 2006, Kenny was appointed deputy speaker of the New Brunswick legislature on Feb. 6, 2007. He was sworn in as minister of state for seniors, and minister responsible for the non-profit organizations secretariat on Nov. 12, 2008.
Born in Bathurst, and a licensed real estate broker since 1995, he is the past president of both the New Brunswick and Greater Bathurst chambers of commerce, and served as co-chair of the Restigouche-Chaleur Economic Task Force. Kenny was a director-at-large with the Chaleur Regional Development Commission, and is an active member of Rotary International. An avid golfer, he has also been a volunteer with the Canada Games, Meals on Wheels, and several Bathurst festivals. He and his wife, Wendy McParland of Big River, have two daughters, Bryanna and Madison.
Bernard LeBlanc, minister of local government
Bernard LeBlanc was elected to the legislature on Sept. 18, 2006, as the first member to represent the new electoral district of Memramcook-Lakeville-Dieppe. He was sworn in as minister of local government on Nov. 12, 2008. Born in Memramcook, he began his career as a New Brunswick medicare representative after graduating from Université de Moncton in 1971 and working for a year as a teacher at Dorchester Penitentiary. From 1973-88 he was a program manager for Income Security. In July, 1989, he was appointed manager of the income security program office with Health and Welfare Canada in Moncton, and was a consultant for the public relations program of the Department of Human Resources and Social Development Canada.
LeBlanc was elected councillor-at-large for the village of Memramcook in May 1995, and served as mayor of the village from 1996 to 2001. A long-time community volunteer, he established Memramcook Valley Kindergarten, and served for five years as president of the Memramcook Valley community centre, eight years as president of the Foyer Saint-Thomas, 13 years as chair of the Pré-d'en-Haut parish council, and five years as chair of the district local improvement committee in Pré-d'en-Haut. Le Blanc is married to Georgette, and has two sons, Marc and Martin, and one daughter, Sophie.
12-11-08