Premier Announces Senior Appointment

The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced that Sandra Barnes is being appointed Clerk of the House of Assembly, effective July 2.

“Ms. Barnes brings very strong leadership skills and senior executive experience to her new role as senior administrator of the legislative branch of the Provincial Government,” said the Premier. “Her demonstrated capacity as a senior administrator will serve her well in her new position. I congratulate her and wish her well.”

A resolution to nominate Ms. Barnes for the position was passed in the House of Assembly today.

In her role as Clerk of the House of Assembly, Ms. Barnes will have responsibility for the overall administration and financial accountability of the House of Assembly.

Ms. Barnes has been with the Provincial Government since 1994. She is currently Deputy Minister, Department of Municipal Affairs, a position she has held since January 2010. Prior to that, she was Deputy Clerk of the Executive Council. In that role, one of her responsibilities was helping co-ordinate government’s legislative agenda, a role in which she had extensive interaction with and knowledge of the House of Assembly.

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Biographical Information

Sandra Barnes
Sandra Barnes has been Deputy Minister of the Department of Municipal Affairs since January 2010. Her earlier executive positions include Deputy Clerk of the Executive Council and Associate Secretary to Cabinet; Assistant Secretary to Cabinet (Program Renewal); and, Assistant Secretary to Cabinet (Economic Policy). Ms. Barnes has also worked with Treasury Board Secretariat, and the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs. Prior to joining the Provincial Government in 1994, she was employed by Newfoundland and Labrador Computer Services.

Ms. Barnes holds a Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) from Memorial University.

2012 06 26                3:10 p.m.