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

“It is an honour to accept the responsibility to continue to serve as premier,” said Higgs. “I appreciate the trust New Brunswickers have placed in me and my government. When I first became premier, my goal was to put New Brunswick on the right path. COVID-19 may have added a few obstacles, but my goal remains unchanged. Our government has a plan to strengthen the economy, improve public services and enhance the quality of life for all New Brunswickers. This will ensure that when we emerge from this pandemic, New Brunswick is stronger than ever.”

Higgs gave a brief address focusing on economic recovery, health care and education. In his remarks, he impressed upon his new cabinet the important duty being placed on each of them and thanked them for agreeing to take on the challenge.

Higgs also thanked all New Brunswickers for the important role they have played in keeping the province safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While the pandemic changed so much about our lives, it has also highlighted the importance of working together for the greater good,” said Higgs. “I am proud of how we all came together to slow the spread and to keep one another healthy and safe. It is imperative that we continue to do so, even as we turn our attention to overcoming the other challenges facing our province.”

Executive Council members

  • Blaine Higgs – Premier, President of the Executive Council, Minister responsible for Intergovernmental Affairs
  • Margaret Johnson – Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
  • Arlene Dunn – Minister responsible for Economic Development and Small Business, Minister responsible for Opportunities NB, Minister responsible for Immigration, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
  • Dominic Cardy – Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
  • Gary Crossman – Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation
  • Daniel Allain – Minister of Local Government and Local Governance Reform
  • Ernie Steeves – Minister of Finance and Treasury Board
  • Dorothy Shephard – Minister of Health
  • Hugh John (Ted) Flemming – Minister of Justice and Public Safety, Attorney General
  • Trevor Holder – Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour
  • Mary Wilson – Minister of Service New Brunswick, Minister responsible for Military Affairs
  • Bruce Fitch – Minister of Social Development
  • Tammy Scott-Wallace – Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture; Minister responsible for Women’s Equality
  • Jill Green – Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Glen Savoie – Minister responsible for la Francophonie
  • Mike Holland *To be sworn-in at a later date – Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Development

EDITOR’S NOTE: Background

In keeping with tradition, Higgs named the members recommended for appointment. The lieutenant-governor then signed the orders of appointment. Murphy also administered the Oath of Allegiance and the Executive Councillor’s Oath to each member of the Executive Council.

Blaine Higgs (Quispamsis)

First elected to the legislative assembly on Sept. 27, 2010, Higgs served as Minister of Finance from 2010 to 2014. He was re-elected in 2014, again in 2018, and 2020 representing the riding of Quispamsis.

On Oct. 22, 2016, he was elected leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick.

Born in Woodstock, Higgs graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. Following university, he joined Irving Oil Ltd. where he held numerous positions of increasing responsibility in engineering, refining operations and in the transportation sector. Prior to retirement in May 2010, he was director of logistics and distribution, with overall responsibility for the transportation and bulk storage requirements for the reliable supply of refined products to customers throughout Eastern Canada and New England. He also served on the board of directors for Canaport LNG and the New Brunswick Gateway Council.

He has travelled extensively for both business and pleasure. The insight learned through this interaction with different cultures provides him with an appreciation for the challenges that New Brunswick faces in the global economy.

Margaret Johnson (Carleton-Victoria)

A resident of Carleton County for nearly five decades, Johnson was first elected to represent Carleton-Victoria in 2020.

She is active in her community through teaching Sunday school, leading Sparks and Brownies, fundraising for Children’s Wish and Relay for Life, organizing prom, promoting the arts, being a Rotarian and managing hockey teams.

As a lifelong teacher, Johnson remains involved in schools after retiring from teaching full time.

Arlene Dunn (Saint John Harbour)

Prior to being elected to represent Saint John Harbour in 2020, Dunn spent over 30 years representing both workers and employers in the skilled trades throughout Canada and educating people about the value these jobs bring to the community.

She is an advocate for diversity and inclusion and used her voice in Ottawa to promote the well-being and prosperity of Indigenous populations, women, youth, persons with disabilities, racialized groups and those who are often marginalized by society.

She has a wide range of skills related to diversity, inclusion, negotiation, legislative policy, training, growing jobs, and work around substance dependency and mental health, and providing affordable housing.

Dominic Cardy (Fredericton West-Hanwell)

Cardy was elected to the legislative assembly in 2018 for the riding of Fredericton West-Hanwell, and re-elected in 2020.

He previously served as Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. He also served as chief of staff to the Leader of the Official Opposition from 2017-2018.

Cardy has also worked for the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs on the campaign to ban landmines; for the Washington-based National Democratic Institute for International Affairs in increasingly senior managerial roles, living and working in countries across Asia and Africa; and then as Asia-Pacific director for the Ottawa-based Forum of Federations.

Gary Crossman (Hampton)

First elected to the legislative assembly in 2014 for the riding of Hampton, Crossman was re-elected in 2018 and 2020.

He was employed with the New Brunswick Department of Education from 1977 to 2010. He was elected to Hampton Town Council as deputy mayor in the 2010 municipal election. He was the successful candidate for the Anglophone District Education Council-Sub District 10, serving all schools in the Hampton, Belleisle, Kingston and Titusville areas. He is the former vice-president of the Sussex Health Foundation Committee.

He has always been active in his community. He has served on the Hampton Community Centre board of directors and the Town of Hampton Planning Advisory Committee, as well as serving many years on the executive of the Hampton Soccer Association and coaching various sports for many years.

Daniel Allain (Moncton East)

Allain was elected to represent Moncton East in 2020.

He is employed with the Bank of Montreal Financial Group in Moncton. He serves as a business development manager - Atlantic Canada Commercial Bank Division. He worked as director of corporate affairs and strategic relations at Imperial Manufacturing Group from 2014 to 2020. He was appointed deputy minister of Management and Administration of the Office of the Premier in 2013 and appointed president and chief executive officer of NB Liquor in 2010. He was the executive assistant to the premier and MLA from Moncton East 2000 to 2003.

He is the outgoing president of the South-East Ringette Association. He also volunteers for the Marc Allain Foundation. He was also the recipient of the Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for his work on community initiatives. In 2019, the Faculty of Administration of the Université de Moncton awarded him the honorary diploma in recognition of his exceptional professional career and his contribution to the influence of the Faculty of Administration.

Ernie Steeves (Moncton Northwest)

Steeves was first elected in 2014 for the riding of Moncton Northwest and was re-elected in 2018 and 2020.

He has previously served as Minister of Finance and Treasury Board.

He also served as the Opposition critic for Social Development, and as a member of the standing committee on public accounts, standing committee on estimates and fiscal policy and the standing committee on social policy.

Dorothy Shephard (Saint John Lancaster)

Shephard was elected to the legislative assembly in 2010 for the riding of Saint John Lancaster. She was re-elected for her fourth term in 2020.

She has previously served as Minister of Healthy and Inclusive Communities, and Social Development. She has been a member of several legislative committees that touch on community such as business, policy, and health care. Shephard has also served as official Opposition critic for human resources and women’s equality.

Hugh J. A. (Ted) Flemming, Q.C. (Rothesay)

Flemming was elected to represent the riding of Rothesay in a byelection on June 25, 2012. He was re-elected for his fourth term in 2020.

Flemming has previously served as Minister of Health and Attorney General.

He practised law for more than two decades, specializing in corporate, commercial, securities, and transportation law, and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1992. Flemming owns several successful businesses, but has recently retired from active management.

Trevor Holder (Portland-Simonds)

First elected to the legislative assembly in 1999 as the member representing the electoral district of Saint John Portland, Holder was re-elected for his seventh term in 2020 representing the riding of Portland-Simonds.

He has served as minister in the portfolios of Environment and Local Government; Tourism and Parks; Wellness, Culture and Sport; Culture, Tourism and Healthy Living; and Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour.

Holder has served as deputy Speaker as well as official Opposition deputy House Leader and official critic for issues related to the environment, social development, post-secondary education, poverty reduction, the Labour and Employment Board, and WorkSafe NB.

Mary Wilson (Oromocto-Lincoln-Fredericton)

Wilson was elected to the legislative assembly in 2018 for the riding of Oromocto-Lincoln-Fredericton, and re-elected in 2020.

She previously served as Minister of Economic Development and Small Business.

She has worked the last 20 years for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business by working with independent business owners and entrepreneurs in the Fredericton and Oromocto area. For 16 years, she worked as an insurance broker in the Fredericton and Oromocto area. More recently, she worked as a realtor.

Wilson grew up in a military family in the Oromocto area and knows the importance and struggles of the military, the members, and their families.

Bruce Fitch (Riverview)

First elected in 2003 representing Riverview, Fitch was re-elected for a sixth term in 2020.

He has previously served as Energy Minister; Minister of Justice and Consumer Affairs; Minister of Environment and Local Government; Minister responsible for Service New Brunswick; Minister responsible for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Agency of New Brunswick; Minister of Economic Development; Minister responsible for Invest New Brunswick; and Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture.

He has also previously served as the opposition critic for finance, a member of the standing committee on Crown corporations and interim leader of the official Opposition.

After working several years in the insurance industry, he joined Scotiabank. He ended his banking career as a full-service broker with ScotiaMcLeod. His political career began in 1989 when he was elected as a counsellor for Ward 2 in Riverview. He was mayor from 1998 to 2003.

Tammy Scott-Wallace (Sussex-Fundy-St. Martins)

Scott-Wallace was elected to represent Sussex-Fundy-St. Martins in 2020 after 25 years as an award-winning journalist. She spent the majority of those years based in the region as an editor and reporter for the Kings County Record and Telegraph-Journal. Scott-Wallace covered politics at all levels and spent her career listening to the stories of people in the riding about the issues that matter most to them.

After resigning her byline in 2019, she founded her own communications business.

Jill Green (Fredericton North)

She has had a wide variety of professional experience over the last couple of decades working in both the public and private sectors, before being elected to represent Fredericton North in 2020.

Through her career, she has had many opportunities in different areas including managing a public utility responsible for 23 communities, was a partner in a mid-sized engineering firm and owned her own consulting business. In 2006, she started Green Imaging Technologies to provide innovative software solutions to the oil and gas industry.

In 2017, 2019 and 2020, Green was recognized as one of the top 50 CEOs in Atlantic Canada by Atlantic Business Magazine and received the 2017 BMO Innovation and Global Growth Award. She was named a Fellow in the prestigious Canadian Academy of Engineering in 2018.

She is on the board of directors of the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation and Fredericton Sports Investment Inc. and volunteers on several industry focused boards. She also volunteers her time assisting several youth athletic programs in various capacities, as well as the Fredericton Community Kitchen.

Glen Savoie (Saint John East)

First elected in 2010 representing the riding of Saint John-Fundy, Savoie was re-elected for a fourth term in 2020.

He has previously served as Minister responsible for la Francophonie, Government House Leader, chair of the standing committee on Crown corporation and the standing committee on estimates and fiscal policy, and vice-chair of the standing committee on procedure, privileges and legislative officers. He has been a member on various committees and helped for the legislative review committee, then serving as vice-chair and then chair of it.

He is a graduate of the New Brunswick Community College with a diploma in Computer Programming and Networking. He later worked as a business service technician for Bell Aliant. He has been active in his community, working with young people in various sports activities.

Mike Holland (Albert)

Holland was elected to the legislative assembly in 2018 for the riding of Albert and was re-elected in 2020.

He has been an avid outdoorsperson his whole life and is a tireless advocate for natural resources and tourism opportunities in the province. He is the co-founder of the Canadian Wild Turkey Federation, a non-profit organization that is becoming the new face of conservation in Canada. Holland also owns a business that sells outdoor gear he invented.