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When Arlene Dunn sat down with Premier Blaine Higgs, she wasn’t sure what the outcome would be but didn’t expect to come out of it responsible for four files.
Dunn, the new MLA for Saint John Harbour, is the minister responsible for Economic Development and Small Business, Opportunities NB, Immigration and Aboriginal Affairs.
During the initial meeting, which was quite extensive, Higgs and Dunn discussed her skillset and resume.
“I went away from that meeting not really knowing what the outcome was going to be and then when I resumed my discussions with him a few days later, and he had built this portfolio around my skillsets, I thought he was quite insightful. So I definitely appreciate this opportunity and I think it’s going to be something that we can do lots of great stuff with,” she said.
Dunn said when she was approached as a candidate she didn’t indicate any interest or ask for any specific portfolios and she didn’t have any expectations in reaching cabinet.
In terms of experience, Dunn said she’s spent 31 years in the building trades industry working herself up through the ranks to become the national voice of labour. She said she’s advocated her entire life for Aboriginal rights, Aboriginal opportunities and new Canadians and she thinks her negotiating skills, as well as job creation and training, bring elements to the table.
“I think it’s very important for New Brunswick to make sure that we recognize the concerns that are coming from our indigenous populations here, so that’s going to priority number one and I did speak with a number of the chiefs,” she said.
Dunn said she advocated for more inclusion and diversity and confirmed training, jobs and career and sustainable growth for Indigenous, which were some of the ways she had experience in aboriginal affairs.
She said MLA Jake Stewart did a good job handling Aboriginal Affairs and there may be some opportunities for her to reach out to discuss the file with him and collaborate.
She wants immigration to take precedent because there are 120,000 people leaving the workforce over the next decade and the New Brunswick skilled trades industry is losing 250,000 people over the next seven years.
Dunn said immigration policy will be a big part of economic success and a driver moving forward.
“We can create lots of great jobs and lots of great projects here in New Brunswick but if we can’t actually fulfill the labour obligations, that’s going to be critical, so that’s going to be one of the things that we have to collectively really wrap our heads around it and think about what we’re going to do and that’s why immigration is so important,” she said.
Dunn said in terms of immigration, we want to make sure we attract up to 7,500 newcomers annually until 2024 and after increase that number to 10,000. There will also be a focus on Francophone immigration to raise levels up to 33 per cent. Retention numbers should be at 85 per cent.
In respect to the economic file, Dunn said she’s impressed with how much work has been done with it and she expects we’ll hear more about it in the coming weeks.
She said in dealing with COVID-19 as well as we have, will only bring more success to the province and its economic drivers.
“In terms of what I know at this particular point in time, I can tell you there’s substantial work that’s been done and lots of great things that are going to be announced very soon,” she said.
She said it’s a privilege and honour and pleasure to serve the provinces an MLA.
