New Brunswick’s outgoing lieutenant-governor says she’s honoured to have served in the role.
Brenda Murphy recently spoke to MLAs in the legislature as her time in the role comes to an end.
Murphy told legislators that it has been an incredible honour to represent the King for the past five years.
“My term as lieutenant-governor is every voice counts. As elected representatives, you will make sure that every person you represent in this Legislative Assembly can be heard. Every voice matters within these walls and in communities across the province,” she said.
“As the next chapter begins for me, I will watch from outside this chamber with great interest as you continue to represent the people of New Brunswick so aptly.”
Murphy was installed as New Brunswick’s 32nd lieutenant-governor just over five years ago in Sept. 2019. She led the Saint John Women’s Empowerment Network, formerly known as the Urban Core Support Network, for more than 20 years.
She has also been involved in various roles at all three levels of government, including the Gender Equality Network Canada, the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Poverty and the New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women.
Murphy also helped form New Brunswick’s first Poverty Reduction Strategy and assisted in the development of legislation to create the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation.
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“She has served our province with heart and care over the past five years, focusing on causes that are important to New Brunswickers and celebrating many of the people who make our province such a great place to live,” said Premier Susan Holt.
“She has demonstrated a compassionate, inclusive leadership and she has been a ray of light for many during what were dark times for them.”
Opposition Leader Glen Savoie echoed those words, saying that New Brunswick has been blessed to have such distinguished lieutenant-governors like Murphy.
“I want you to be satisfied and to be secure in the knowledge that the work that you have done will continue, because you will leave echoes, that the next lieutenant-governor will come in and will continue that work,” said Savoie.
“So when you leave an impact and you see those ripples and you see those echoes in the faces of ordinary New Brunswickers, know that that was you who helped to drive that, and that you have made a difference.”
Louise Imbeault has been appointed as the province’s next lieutenant-governor, although no details have been released on when she will take over the role.
Imbeault is described as a respected journalist, a dedicated women’s rights advocate and a lifelong champion of the Acadian community.
