News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Premier Blaine Higgs issued the following statement on the passing of the former New Brunswick Senator Erminie Cohen:

On behalf of all New Brunswickers, I want to express my deepest condolences on the passing of former New Brunswick Senator Erminie Cohen.

Cohen was a respected Saint John community leader, passionate member of the Jewish community and life-long social justice advocate.

During the 1970s she was named to the New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women before co-founding Saint John Women for Action. Cohen also served on the National Advisory Council on the Status of Women and was a founding board member of Hestia House, which offers shelter to abused women and their children in a secure setting.

In 1993 she was appointed to the senate by former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. During her time in the senate, she focused on poverty issues before retiring in 2001. That same year, Cohen set up the volunteer-led New Brunswick Adoption Foundation to build awareness about adoption in the province.

In 2017, she received the Order of New Brunswick for her outstanding impact on adoption, her dedication and commitment to volunteerism and her compassion in helping change the lives of New Brunswick’s most vulnerable. Cohen has also received numerous other awards including the Order of Canada, the Queen's Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals, among many others. 

She also served on countless boards and committees and holds an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of New Brunswick (Saint John).

As Premier of New Brunswick, my thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.