News Release

FREDERICTON (CNB) - A new minister responsible for public engagement was appointed today by Premier Shawn Graham, and one minister added deputy premier to his responsibilities. In addition, vacancies in the cabinet were filled by adding two new ministers to cabinet, and with one minister changing portfolio.

The two new ministers are:

• Cheryl Lavoie, MLA for Nepisiguit, is appointed minister of state for seniors and minister responsible for the Community Non-profit Organizations Secretariat.
• Bernard LeBlanc, MLA for Memramcook-Lakeville-Dieppe, returns to cabinet as minister of justice and consumer affairs as well as minister responsible for public engagement.

The two changes within cabinet are:

• Brian Kenny, formerly minister of state for seniors and minister responsible for the Community Non-profit Organizations Secretariat, becomes minister of tourism and parks.
• Donald Arseneault, minister of post-secondary education, training and labour as well as minister responsible for the Northern New Brunswick Initiative, also becomes deputy premier.

The role of the minister responsible for public engagement will be to:

• raise awareness about the importance of public engagement;
• facilitate the public dialogue process;
• foster and support dialogue on how to effectively share the ownership and responsibility for action between government(s), stakeholders, communities and residents;
• get residents, stakeholders, and/or communities to take a measure of ownership of societal issues and become partners with government in reaching societal goals;
• ensure that due consideration is given to public involvement prior to government approving and/or implementing new major public policy directions.

"As a government, we recognize that New Brunswickers want to make sure their priorities and goals are reflected in the priorities and decisions of their government," said Graham. "That is why I am pleased to welcome Bernard LeBlanc back to cabinet to take on this important new portfolio. As minister responsible, Bernard LeBlanc will oversee government's efforts to engage New Brunswickers and become an effective partner to residents and stakeholders engaged in addressing the complex societal issues we all face."

The premier thanked ministers Kelly Lamrock and Hédard Albert for filling the posts of minister of justice and consumer affairs, and minister of tourism and parks, respectively, on an acting basis for the past few months.

The Executive Council is the same size as during the last major change to cabinet in June 2009.

The new ministers will be sworn in during a ceremony at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 11, at Government House, 51 Woodstock Rd., Fredericton.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The complete list of cabinet members follows. Premier Shawn Graham will be available to the media TODAY, at 10:15 a.m., Monday, May 10, at the constituency office of Brian Kenny, 111 Main Street, Bathurst; and at 2:30 p.m. TODAY, at the renovation announcement to be held at Polyvalente Roland-Pépin, 45A, du Village St., Campbellton. 

New cabinet list: May 10, 2010 (* notes change of portfolio):

• Shawn Graham: Premier; President of the Executive Council; Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs; and Minister responsible for the Premier's Council on the Status of Disabled Persons
• Kelly Lamrock: Attorney General, Minister of Social Development; Minister of State for Housing; and Minister responsible for the New Brunswick Provincial Capital Commission
• Bernard LeBlanc*: Minister of Justice and Consumer Affairs; and Minister responsible for Public Engagement
• John W. Foran: Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General
• Greg Byrne: Minister of Finance; Minister responsible for the New Brunswick Liquor Corporation; Minister responsible for the New Brunswick Investment Management Corporation; Minister responsible for the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation; and Government House Leader
• Edward Doherty: Minister of Supply and Services
• Denis Landry: Minister of Transportation
• Wally Stiles: Minister of Natural Resources
• Jack Keir: Minister of Energy; and Minister responsible for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Agency of New Brunswick
• Ronald Ouellette: Minister of Agriculture and Aquaculture
• Rick Doucet: Minister of Fisheries
• Mary Schryer: Minister of Health; and Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women
• Hédard Albert: Minister of Wellness, Culture and Sport; and Minister responsible for La Francophonie
• Rick Brewer: Minister of Human Resources; and Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs
• Donald Arseneault*: Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour; Minister responsible for the Northern New Brunswick Initiative; Minister responsible for the Population Growth Secretariat; and Deputy Premier
• Roland Haché: Minister of Education
• Rick Miles: Minister of Environment
• Chris Collins: Minister of Local Government
• Victor Boudreau: Minister of Business New Brunswick; Minister responsible for Service New Brunswick; Minister responsible for Communications New Brunswick; Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation; and Minister responsible for Red Tape Reduction
• Brian Kenny*: Minister of Tourism and Parks
• Cheryl Lavoie* : Minister of State for Seniors; and Minister responsible for the Community Non-profit Organizations Secretariat