News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Premier Blaine Higgs issued the following statement on the passing of Her Honour, the Honourable Jocelyne Roy Vienneau, ONB, lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick:

On behalf of all New Brunswickers, Marcia and I want to express our deepest condolences on the passing of the Honourable Jocelyne Roy Vienneau, the lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick.

Ms. Roy Vienneau was a passionate advocate for this province and its people throughout her career, and, during her time as lieutenant-governor, championed literacy, mental health issues and the need for a new sense of pride for the place we call home.

She became New Brunswick’s 31st lieutenant-governor on Oct. 23, 2014, after a long and successful career focused on economic development, the promotion and advancement of education and community engagement.

Since taking on the role, Her Honour took part in well over a thousand events, earning the admiration and affection of people across the province. She would often remind us of our diversity and how powerful New Brunswick can be when we work together using our unique strengths and talents. Her Honour helped spark a sense of excitement for our future as a province.

Her steadfast leadership during the historic election and transition period last fall provided stability to our province.

Throughout her career, Her Honour has sought to promote and advance research and innovation. She served as assistant deputy minister for Post-Secondary Education for the province. She also worked at the New Brunswick Community College in Bathurst for 23 years as dean, department head, professor and, finally, principal during the last six years.

Ms. Roy Vienneau was the first woman to occupy a secular position as vice-president of a campus at the Université de Moncton, the first woman to direct a francophone community college in New Brunswick, and one of the first women to graduate from the faculty of engineering at the Université de Moncton.

In 2003, she was named alumnus of the year by the Université de Moncton’s engineering faculty. In 2001, during her time as principal of New Brunswick Community College in Bathurst, the school became one of the first two colleges in the country to be eligible for research grants with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. In 2015, she received the Paul Harris Fellow from the Shediac Rotary Club.

She gave so much to New Brunswick and will be missed by everyone whose life she touched.

At this sad time, Marcia’s and my thoughts and prayers are with her husband, Ronald Vienneau, and their family and friends.