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Roger Melanson, New Brunswick’s Treasury Board president, adds two big portfolios to his duties in Premier Brian Gallant’s cabinet. He becomes minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and minister of Post-Secondary Education.
The announcement was made Sept. 5.
Changes made to the cabinet include a new portfolio of labour, employment and population growth “to better partner with the labour movement, workers and employers in ensuring New Brunswick has the workforce it needs to fill jobs needed to grow the economy.”
A new portfolio of agriculture, mines and rural affairs will be created to focus on job creation and growth in the traditional industries in rural New Brunswick.
Several ministers are taking on added responsibilities:
- Premier Brian Gallant will also serve as regional minister for Saint John and Southwestern New Brunswick;
- Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Fraser will also serve as minister responsible for Intergovernmental Affairs, minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation, and regional minister for Central New Brunswick;
- Environment and Local Government Minister Serge Rousselle will also serve as minister of Service New Brunswick and regional minister for Northern New Brunswick;
- Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Lisa Harris will also serve as deputy government house leader;
- Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Brian Kenny will also serve as minister responsible for Official Languages;
- Finance Minister Cathy Rogers will also serve as regional minister for Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick;
- Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister John Ames will also serve as minister responsible for Poverty Reduction and the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation.
- Three new ministers first elected in 2014 are joining the cabinet. Benoît Bourque becomes minister of Health; Andrew Harvey becomes minister of Agriculture, Mines and Rural Affairs; and Gilles LePage becomes minister of Labour, Employment and Population Growth.
“We have a strong team working on New Brunswick’s priorities of jobs, education, and health care,” said Gallant. “These changes will allow new perspectives and approaches to be used in advancing economic growth, educational opportunities, and health care innovation.”