Changes to Cabinet Announced

After today's cabinet shuffle, I am so happy to continue to serve as Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture. There are some large files I would love to get over the finish line. The vibrancy and success of our province depends on increasing the number of visitors who experience this most incredible place, which is only exceptional because of the stories we preserve, the lifestyle we enjoy, and the arts and culture we celebrate.

Sherry Wilson MLA Moncton Southwest/Sud-Ouest takes the reins as Minister responsible for Women's Equality and Minister responsible for Addictions and Mental Health Services. I will always work to advance women's issues but this new department is the perfect fit for Minister Wilson. Congratulations!

News Release: Changes to cabinet announced

FREDERICTON (GNB) – New members of the Executive Council were sworn in at a ceremony held today in Fredericton, presided over by Lt.-Gov. Brenda Murphy.

“The changes announced today will allow some fresh perspectives and approaches to be brought to the table and will allow us to continue to focus on our priority areas,” said Premier Blaine Higgs.

Executive Council members (*denotes a change or addition):

Blaine Higgs – Premier, President of the Executive Council and Minister responsible for Intergovernmental Affairs Hugh John (Ted) Flemming – Minister of Justice and Attorney General Kris Austin – Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Richard Ames* – Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Margaret Johnson – Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Jill Green* – Minister of Social Development, Minister responsible for the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation and Minister responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation Bill Hogan – Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Ernie Steeves – Minister of Finance and Treasury Board Arlene Dunn* – Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Minister responsible for Immigration Greg Turner* – Minister responsible for Opportunities NB and Minister responsible for Economic Development and Small Business Gary Crossman – Minister of Environment and Climate Change Réjean Savoie – Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation Glen Savoie* – Minister of Local Government and Minister responsible for la Francophonie Bruce Fitch – Minister of Health Mary Wilson* – Minister of Service New Brunswick and Minister responsible for Military Affairs Tammy Scott-Wallace* – Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture Mike Holland – Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Development Sherry Wilson* – Minister responsible for Women’s Equality and Minister responsible for Addictions and Mental Health Services Kathy Bockus* – Minister responsible for Seniors

Sussex Celebrates Diversifest

Big congratulations to the Multicultural Association of Sussex for hosting a fun-filled Diversifest celebrating inclusion and diversity in our community. Did you know this small region now has in the vicinity of 45 counties represented in its population? That diversity lends to a beautiful quality of life.

Provincial Coordinator to Help Address Campus Sexual Violence

A provincial co-ordinator is being hired to oversee efforts to address sexual violence at publicly funded post-secondary institutions.

The co-ordinator will work with these institutions to identify their service and resource needs, consult with stakeholders around the province, and help institutions access funding for initiatives and projects.

University and college campuses should be safe places to live, work and grow. Creating this position within Women’s Equality will help to understand campus sexual violence and improve awareness and response measures.

Working with publicly funded post-secondary institutions is one of the actions identified in the Roundtable on Campus Sexual Violence: Summary of Key Findings. The summary was released in 2021 following a roundtable held in response to concerns about sexual violence at post-secondary institutions.

“I am pleased to see another step being taken to implement the recommendations made by the working group that followed the roundtable on campus sexual violence,” said working group member Anne Comfort, who is also vice-president of international and student affairs at Mount Allison University. “A co-ordinator will play a key role in helping institutions identify issues and access resources to address sexual violence. We all want to provide safe environments for our campus communities.”

This announcement builds on initiatives outlined in the Women’s Equality 2023-24 budget, which included $1.8 million to provide community-based services to people experiencing sexual violence.