Executive Council
January 29, 2014

Strong Governance; Sound Management

Premier Announces Changes to Cabinet

The Honourable Tom Marshall, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced changes to his Cabinet. The swearing-in ceremony took place at Government House this afternoon. The following Cabinet appointments are effective immediately.

The Honourable Charlene Johnson is appointed Minister of Finance, President of Treasury Board and Minister Responsible for the Human Resource Secretariat, the Public Service Commission and the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation.

The Honourable Terry French is appointed Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development and Minister Responsible for the Research and Development Corporation. Minister French continues his responsibility as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

The Honourable Felix Collins is appointed Attorney General.

The Honourable Steve Kent is appointed Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement, which he has held in an acting capacity since November 2013. Minister Kent continues as Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services - Newfoundland and Labrador and Registrar General.

“I thank these individuals for their commitment and energy as they take on new responsibilities within Cabinet. My Cabinet and I will now continue the work of preparing to deliver a sound and responsible fiscal plan with Budget 2014, which we will present to the people of the province in the upcoming session of the House of Assembly. I thank members of Cabinet and Caucus for their support during this transition period. Our highest priority is to lead this province with the strongest of governance and with our attention to the people we serve.”
- The Honourable Tom Marshall, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

Premier Marshall also announced the appointment of Clayton Forsey as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development and Minister Responsible for the Research & Development Corporation.

See the Backgrounder for biographical information.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors. Through sound fiscal management and responsible decisions, the Provincial Government is strengthening the business environment, encouraging the development of innovative industries and building a vibrant economy.

QUICK FACTS

• On January 24, 2014, the Honourable Tom Marshall was sworn in as the eleventh Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.
• On January 29, 2014, Premier Marshall announced changes to his Cabinet:
• The Honourable Charlene Johnson as Minister of Finance.
• The Honourable Terry French as Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, while retaining his duties as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.
• The Honourable Steve Kent takes on the additional responsibility of Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement.
• The Honourable Felix Collins is appointed Attorney General.
• Clayton Forsey is appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development and Minister Responsible for the Research & Development Corporation.

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BACKGROUNDER
Biographies

Hon. Charlene Johnson, Member for Trinity-Bay de Verde
Charlene Johnson is the youngest woman ever elected to serve in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly. Born in Carbonear and raised in the Conception Bay community of Gull Island, Ms. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Engineering from the University of New Brunswick and a Masters of Applied Science degree in Environmental Engineering from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Ms. Johnson was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources on July 5, 2006. Re-elected to the House of Assembly on October 9, 2007, Ms. Johnson was appointed Minister of Environment and Conservation on October 30. On January 13, 2011, she was appointed Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services. Ms. Johnson was re-elected as the Member for Trinity-Bay de Verde on October 11, 2011. On October 28, 2011, she was re-appointed as Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services, as well as being appointed as Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

On October 9, 2013, Ms. Johnson was appointed as Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement and Minister Responsible for the Research & Development Corporation, in addition to her existing duties as Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

Hon. Terry French, Member for Conception Bay South
Terry French was elected to represent the people of Conception Bay South District in a by-election on Tuesday, November 12, 2002. Two days later he took the Oath of Allegiance as MHA, and on the same day took his seat in the House of Assembly for the first time.

In 2003, Mr. French was named the Opposition critic for Government Services and Lands as well as Parliamentary Assistant to the Leader. On October 21, 2003, he was re-elected Member for Conception Bay South. Mr. French was appointed Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier in November 2003 and confirmed in this role in the departmental restructuring of February 20, 2004.

On April 6, 2005 he was appointed Caucus Whip and on January 19, 2007, Mr. French was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. Mr. French was re-elected to the House of Assembly on October 9, 2007, and on October 30, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Community Services.

Mr. French was sworn in as the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation on November 27, 2009. He was re-elected once again on October 11, 2011 and on October 28, 2011, he was appointed Minister of Environment and Conservation and Minister Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency, the Multi Materials Stewardship Board and Office of Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Emissions Trading.

On October 19, 2012 he was appointed Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

Hon. Felix Collins, Member for Placentia-St. Mary’s
Born in St. Anne’s, Placentia Bay, Felix Collins graduated from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1964 and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1968. He completed a Masters of Education degree in 1972 from the University of Boston and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ottawa in 1995, at which time he was awarded the Newton Rowell Scholarship for his dedication to public service.

Mr. Collins worked as a school principal, teacher, coordinator and a Superintendent of Education until retirement in 1992 at which time he entered law school. He was called to the Newfoundland Bar in April 1996 and is a Member of the Law Society of Newfoundland. He practised law in St. John’s until 2007.

Mr. Collins was Mayor of the Town of Placentia for 16 years and a member of the Placentia Council for 19 years. He was chairperson of the first Joint Councils of the Placentia area and served as Chairperson of the Placentia Area Recreation Commission. He has served on numerous boards and committees and has acted as Commissioner for a number of municipal public hearings under the Rural and Urban Planning Act. He was one of the founding directors of the Placentia Health Care Board, and served eight years as its Vice-President. He served six years on the Board of Directors of Marine Atlantic.

In February, 2006, Mr. Collins was elected as MHA for Placentia-St. Mary’s in a by-election. He was re-elected in the October 9, 2007 general election. As a Member of the House of Assembly, Mr. Collins has served as Deputy Chair of Committees, Chair of the Elections and Privileges Committee, and as a Member of the Public Accounts Committee. He also served as Legislative Advisor to the Minister of Natural Resources and as Commissioner for the St. John’s Urban Region (Agricultural) Development Area Boundary Review.

On October 7, 2009, Mr. Collins was appointed as Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Mr. Collins was re-elected as the Member for Placentia-St. Mary’s on October 11, 2011 and was re-appointed as Minister of Justice and Attorney General on October 28, 2011. Mr. Collins then served as Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs from October 19, 2012 until October 9, 2013.

Hon. Steve Kent, Member for Mount Pearl North
Steve Kent was elected as a Member of the House of Assembly for the District of Mount Pearl North on October 9, 2007, and was re-elected on October 11, 2011. On October 24, 2012, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement. On October 9, 2013, Mr. Kent was appointed as Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services – Newfoundland and Labrador, and Registrar General.

In September 1997, Mr. Kent became the youngest elected public official in the City of Mount Pearl’s history. Receiving a record number of votes, he was elected Deputy Mayor of Mount Pearl. In October 2003, he became Mount Pearl’s eighth Mayor, and was elected by acclamation in September 2005. He resigned as Mayor on October 30, 2007. During his involvement in local government, Mr. Kent served as Avalon Director on the Board of Directors of the Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador. He was also an active member of the Atlantic Mayors Congress.

Mr. Kent holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and Certificate in Public Administration from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and a Masters degree in Management from McGill University.

In his professional life, for over five years, he served as CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Newfoundland. He then spent two years at Stirling Communications International in the role of Manager of Corporate Development. Early in 2006, he decided to incorporate his own business, The FOCUS Group Inc., and engaged in management and marketing consulting for several firms in both the private and voluntary sectors. He and his wife own FOCUS Driver Training Incorporated, which operates the Young Drivers of Canada centres in Newfoundland.

Mr. Kent has a long history of community involvement. From 1992 to 1996, he was selected as Mount Pearl's Youth of the Year, and was also named Youth Volunteer of the Year on two occasions. He received the national YTV Achievement Award for Public Service in 1996. In December 1999, Maclean’s magazine recognized Mr. Kent as one of the top 100 Canadians to watch for in the next century.

Clayton Forsey, Member for Exploits
Clayton Forsey was born in Leading Tickles, and lives with his wife in Bishop's Falls. He graduated from St. Nicholas School and then went on to further his education in studying Architectural Drafting in Lewisporte and Grand Falls-Windsor.

Mr. Forsey had the opportunity to apply his drafting skills in the Engineering Department with Iron Ore Company of Canada Limited, Labrador City from 1973 to 1976. He then relocated to Bishop's Falls in 1976 and started working for Morgan Printing in the Sales, Accounting, and Production Departments. In 1984, he changed careers and became the Divisional Supervisor for Brookfield Dairy which is now called Scotsburn.

Mr. Forsey was elected to represent the people of Exploits District in a by-election on June 23, 2005. On March 21, 2007, he was appointed Caucus Whip.

On October 9, 2007, Mr. Forsey was re-elected to the House of Assembly and on October 30 of that year, he was appointed to serve as Chair of the Progressive Conservative Caucus.

On October 11, 2011, Mr. Forsey was re-elected as the Member for Exploits and on October 12, 2012, he was appointed Caucus Whip.

2014 01 29                            2:25 p.m.