Premier to assume responsibility for Fisheries and Aquaculture;
Parliamentary secretaries named

Premier Beaton Tulk announced today he will assume responsibility for the portfolio of Fisheries and Aquaculture, effective immediately.

The premier also announced today the appointment of four parliamentary secretaries.

Gerald (Gerry) Reid (MHA - Twillingate-Fogo) will be parliamentary secretary to the premier as Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

"Mr. Reid has previous experience in the area of fisheries. From 1989 to 1996, he served as executive assistant to fisheries ministers Walter Carter and Dr. Bud Hulan," said Premier Tulk. "Along with his considerable knowledge of the fishing industry, he represents one of the largest fishing districts in the province."

Gerald Smith (MHA - Port au Port), will be parliamentary secretary to Ernie McLean as minister responsible for Development and Rural Renewal. Mr. McLean is also Minister of Government Services and Lands.

"Mr. Smith has a long record of involvement in rural development," said the premier. "He has served as vice-chair of the Port au Port Community Employment Strategy Association, was president of the Port au Port Economic Development Association for nine years, and served for five years as president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Rural Development Council. This rich background in economic development will be an asset to the goals and objectives of rural Newfoundland and Labrador."

Jim Walsh (MHA - Conception Bay East and Bell Island) will be parliamentary secretary to Sandra Kelly as minister responsible for Tourism, Culture and Recreation. Mrs. Kelly is also Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology.

Premier Tulk noted that Mr. Walsh has considerable experience in tourism. "He is a founding director of Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador and has been a national director of the Canadian Restaurant Association. Mr. Walsh also served as minister of tourism under the Wells administration," said the premier. "His knowledge and background in the industry will be of tremendous assistance to Minister Kelly."

Percy Barrett (MHA - Bellevue) will be parliamentary secretary to Lloyd Matthews in his role as minister responsible for Education. Mr. Matthews is also Minister of Finance.

"Mr. Barrett will bring his accomplishments and background in the field of education to bear as he provides support and assistance to Minister Matthews in that portfolio," said Premier Tulk. "Mr. Barrett holds a bachelors degree in arts (education) and a masters degree in education administration from Memorial University. He worked as an educator following graduation from Memorial before embarking on a career in the public service with the Department of Education."

In addition to their new roles as parliamentary secretaries, Mr. Walsh will also take on the role of parliamentary secretary to the chair of the Economic Policy Committee of Cabinet and Mr. Barrett will take on the role of parliamentary secretary to the chair of the Social Policy Committee of Cabinet.

"In view of the fact that cabinet has been reduced as a result of illness on the part of one minister and the resignation of several others, it is necessary to provide whatever level of support is required," said Premier Tulk.

"I believe these appointments will ensure that government fulfills its primary obligation to the people of this province - the continuation of good government. The background and experience of all four MHA s will help us meet any challenges which may lie ahead."

In addition to the appointment of parliamentary secretaries, the premier announced that Ralph Wiseman (MHA - Topsail) will be parliamentary assistant to the premier; Bob Mercer (MHA - Humber West) will be nominated for the position of deputy house speaker; and, Wally Andersen (MHA - Torngat Mountains) will be parliamentary assistant to the premier on aboriginal affairs in addition to his role as caucus chair.

Media contact: Paula Dyke, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3564.

WALLY ANDERSEN
Wally Andersen grew up in Makkovik and graduated from high school in North West River. In 1973, Mr. Andersen worked in Davis Inlet before moving to Happy Valley-Goose Bay in 1974, where he became involved in many community groups. He was a member of the Happy Valley Lions Club and was selected Citizen of the Year in 1983 for his work and dedication to the youth of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Mr. Andersen has been involved in minor hockey for 15 years, spending 12 years as president of the local hockey association. He has won provincial and national awards for his support of minor hockey in Labrador. Wally Andersen has represented his community for many years, working countless hours since 1996 as the Member of the House of Assembly for Torngat Mountains.

RALPH WISEMAN
Topsail MHA Ralph Wiseman has been involved in politics since 1989, beginning as executive assistant to the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations and later Environment and Lands. In 1995, Mr. Wiseman worked as the Economic Diversification and Growth Enterprises program (EDGE) facilitator with the Department of Industry, Trade and Technology. He was appointed chair of the Government Services Committee and then elected as caucus chair on 1996, serving until 1999, when he was named parliamentary secretary to the government house leader.

PERCY BARRETT
Percy Barrett was first elected to the House of Assembly for the district of Bellevue in 1989. Upon his first election to the House of Assembly, Mr. Barrett was appointed deputy chairman of committees and in 1995, he was appointed deputy speaker. In July of 1997, he accepted the premier's invitation to be his parliamentary assistant. In January of 2000, Barrett was named parliamentary secretary to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy.

JIM WALSH
Jim Walsh has been the MHA for the district of Conception Bay East-Bell Island (formally Mount Scio-Bell Island) since 1989. Mr. Walsh has served as caucus chairman and has both chaired and sat on numerous government committees. He has been an active community leader throughout his career, serving as president of a number of community organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Canada Jaycees. Before entering politics, Mr. Walsh was a founding director of Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador. He served as director of the Better Business Bureau, a national director of the Canadian Restaurant Association and a past-president of the Federal Business Development Bank Community Business Initiative Program. Mr. Walsh is the former Minister of Tourism and Culture. In January 2000, he was named by the premier as parliamentary secretary to the Cabinet Committee of Social Policy.

GERRY REID
Upon graduating from high school, Gerry Reid went on to obtain a bachelor of arts, bachelor of education and a masters degree in philosophy at Memorial University in St. John's. After graduating from Memorial, Mr. Reid took up a teaching position at Coaker Academy on New World Island. While living on New World Island, he became involved in municipal politics and served three years as a councillor in Summerford. In 1989, he left his teaching position to become executive assistant to then Fisheries Minister Walter Carter and later to Dr. Bud Hulan. In this capacity, Reid gained considerable knowledge of the fishing industry and government in general. In February of 1996, Mr. Reid was successful in his bid to become the MHA for the newly formed District of Twillingate-Fogo, one of the largest districts in the province. He was re-elected in the February 9, 1999 general election and in 1999, was named government whip.

GERALD SMITH
Gerald Smith has been actively involved in his community for many years. He served for 10 years as a member of the Retention Committee for the Lourdes School System and as vice-chairman of the Port au Port Community Employment Strategy Association (CESA). He was on the board of directors of the Port au Port Work Activity project and was president of the Port au Port Economic Development Association for nine years. Mr. Smith also served five years as president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Rural Development Council. He is committed to the development and growth of rural Newfoundland and Labrador, evident by his track record as a community leader and a long, distinguished career as an educator. In 1999, Smith was named by the premier as chair of committees and was named deputy speaker in 2000.

BOB MERCER
Bob Mercer began his forestry career in 1973 as a lecturer in forest soils at the University of New Brunswick. In 1974, he accepted a forestry position with the Newfoundland and Labrador Forest Service as a district forester at Happy Valley-Goose Bay. In 1978, he was appointed director of forest management for the province, a position which he held until 1993 when he resigned to accept the position of general manager of the Western Newfoundland Model Forest. Mr. Mercer lists his major accomplishments during this period as overseeing the implementation of the province's present district forest management system, the drafting of a new Forest Act, the drafting of the province's first 20-year Forestry Management Plan and the introduction of the concept of multi- stakeholder, consensus decision making in developing forest management plans. Mercer also has a strong background in community service, serving as mayor of the Town of Pasadena, member and chairperson of the Great Humber Joint Council and as a director with the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities. He has also served as a member of various economic and community development organizations, community groups such as the boy scouts, various lodges, the Lions Club and his church.

2000 11 06 4:45 p.m.