News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Premier Brian Gallant has appointed Karen Power (formerly Branscombe) and Gino LeBlanc as co-chairs responsible for the development of a 10-year provincial education plan.

“In the 21st century, we need to ensure that all New Brunswickers have the skills they need to succeed,” said Gallant. “To create jobs, increase productivity and reduce poverty, we are working with our partners to ensure that New Brunswickers and their children receive a quality education as a base for that success.”

Power is a consultant and senior advisor for professional learning and leadership. She has experience as a teacher, vice-principal, principal, and superintendent in New Brunswick. With 32 years of experience in public education in New Brunswick, she provides leadership workshops for principals and teachers across the country. Her expertise includes Comprehensive Needs Assessments as well as work with senior staff at the district level.

In 2008, LeBlanc headed the Commission on Francophone Schools in New Brunswick. Recommendations of the commission led to the development of the Linguistic and Cultural Development Policy for the French education system. He has worked at the Canadian Institute for Research on Public Policy and Public Administration at the Université de Moncton and the Social Policy Research Network. He is also the former president of the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada.

“These appointees are experienced, accomplished educational leaders with a dedication and passion for excellence and lifelong learning,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Serge Rousselle. “We are happy that they have accepted to lead this initiative for our province. These co-chairs will be leading an engagement process to create a non-partisan 10-year path forward to strengthen our learning environments.”

“A great education system is one that provides all New Brunswickers with the tools to develop their full potential,” said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Francine Landry. “This 10-year plan will put New Brunswick on the right track to improving our literacy and numeracy achievement levels and enhancing our STEM courses. We want to ensure all New Brunswickers can read and write, and that they develop the right skills so they can take their place in a knowledge-based economy.”

Details of the engagement process will be made available in the coming weeks.