Liberals Name Shadow Cabinet

The New Brunswick Liberals have announced the Opposition party’s shadow cabinet.

Monday’s announcement came six days after Premier Blaine Higgs named his cabinet members.

Interim Liberal leader Roger Melanson says he believes the shadow cabinet will provide effective oversight in the Legislative Assembly and when the legislature is not sitting.

“While we will provide constructive criticism and bring positive ideas forward for discussion, there is a need to provide oversight of government, especially knowing that the Premier wants to move forward with serious reforms that will affect many New Brunswickers,” said Melanson in a news release.

In addition to his role as interim leader, Melanson will serve as critic for the executive council and the Office of the Premier, along with intergovernmental affairs.

Melanson also named Caraquet MLA Isabelle Theriault as the deputy party leader and Campbellton-Dalhousie MLA Guy Arseneault as the house leader.

Below is the full list of the shadow cabinet members and their portfolios:

• Guy Arseneault – seniors and long-term care; military affairs
• Benoit Bourque – education and early childhood development; la Francophonie and the Official Languages Act
• Chuck Chiasson – natural resources and agriculture
• Keith Chiasson – local government and local governance reform
• Jean-Claude D’Amours – health and wellness
• Robert Gauvin – social development; rural affairs
• Daniel Guitard – transportation and infrastructure
• Lisa Harris – training and labour; Aboriginal affairs
• Denis Landry – fisheries and aquaculture; justice
• Francine Landry – environment and climate change
• Jacques LeBlanc – post-secondary education; population growth and immigration
• Rene Legacy – Regional Development Corporation; energy development
• Gilles LePage – economic development and Opportunities New Brunswick; small business and trade policy
• Rob McKee – finance and treasury board; attorney general
• Eric Mallet – public safety; Service New Brunswick
• Isabelle Theriault – tourism, heritage and culture; women’s equality