Premier Blaine Higgs has shuffled a number of cabinet portfolios and added some new faces to the team.
It follows the resignations of two ministers — Dorothy Shephard and Trevor Holder — over the past two weeks.
Higgs has recently faced backlash within his party that has come to a head as he pushed forward with changes to Policy 713, which had laid out protections for LGBTQ+ youth in schools.
On Monday, reports surfaced that Higgs launched “a vicious verbal attack” during a weekend meeting with members of the provincial Progressive Conservative party’s governing body.
That alleged outburst came on the heels of a letter penned by four past presidents of the party questioning the premier’s leadership and calling on him to resign.
In Higgs’ new cabinet, Jill Green becomes social development minister, a role Shephard previously held.
Backbencher Mary Wilson takes over the Service New Brunswick portfolio from Green. She also becomes minister responsible for Military Affairs.
Green, however, will continue to serve as minister responsible for the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation and the New Brunswick Housing Corporation.
Arlene Dunn takes on the post-secondary education, training and labour file from Holder. She also continues to serve as Aboriginal Affairs minister and minister responsible for immigration.
“It’s something I’ve done for 32 years of my life, so I’m really proud to be able to move forward with that,” said Dunn.
Dunn spent 25 years with the Labourers’ International Union of North America in New Brunswick. She also spent time as deputy director and director of Canada’s Building Trades Union.
Two of Dunn’s other portfolios, Opportunities NB and economic development and small business, are being handed to backbencher Greg Turner.
Two ministers removed from cabinet
Jeff Carr is out as transportation and infrastructure minister and has been replaced by backbencher Richard Ames.
Also out is Daniel Allain as local government minister. That portfolio has been handed to Glen Savoie, who is also the minister responsible for la Francophonie.
Carr and Allain, along with Holder and Shephard, had sided with an opposition Liberal motion calling for more consultations on Policy 713, the government’s LGBTQ+ policy in schools.
Premier Blaine Higgs, speaking with reporters after the shuffle, said that was the reason why he removed them from cabinet.
“When you have cabinet ministers that take a position against the government in the legislature, it’s very significant,” said Higgs.
Dunn was not in the legislature when the motion was debated but said she would have voted with the Liberals.
“I did say that and I do stand by my word,” said Dunn, adding she is not surprised the premier chose to keep her in cabinet.
The minister said she continues to have confidence in the premier and his leadership, despite ongoing division within the Progressive Conservative Party.
“It’s very important for us to understand that not everyone is perfect,” said Dunn. “People have disputes, people have disagreements, but we have to put the citizens first, and I believe that needs to be the focus moving forward.”
I’ll be available at 2 pm in the Legislature rotunda for media questions pic.twitter.com/W4njfAbzOe
— Jeff Carr MLA (@jeffcarr4nms) June 27, 2023
New portfolios created
Tuesday’s cabinet shuffle also saw the creation of three new portfolios, which are being led by three new members of cabinet.
Sherry Wilson becomes minister responsible for Addictions and Mental Health Services, Kathy Bockus is minister responsible for Seniors, and Mary Wilson is minister responsible for Military Affairs.
The premier said these are priority focus areas for his government, which is why he created new portfolios.
Sherry Wilson will also take over as minister responsible for Women’s Equality from Tammy Scott-Wallace, who remains the minister of tourism, heritage and culture.
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