Executive Council
March 12, 2015
Premier Reduces Size of Cabinet
The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced a decrease in the size of Cabinet and changes to ministerial assignments at a swearing-in ceremony at Government House.
"Reform of the House of Assembly has been high on my agenda. The coming reduction in seats, a desire to make the role of MHAs more relevant and a review of the MHA pension plan are all a part of that. Reducing the size of Cabinet is a logical next step in that process."
- The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
Changes to Cabinet responsibilities include the following:
The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and Minister Responsible for Persons with Disabilities, takes on the additional duties of Minister of Advanced Education and Skills.
The Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Finance, President of Treasury Board, Minister Responsible for Human Resource Secretariat, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation and Minister Responsible for the Public Service Commission adds the Office of the Chief Information Officer
The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, Minister Responsible for the Research & Development Corporation and Government House Leader assumes duties as Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development takes on the additional duties of Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Minister Responsible for the Government Purchasing Agency and the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs.
The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, Registrar General and Deputy House Leader takes on responsibility for the Labour Relations Agency.
The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation, Minister Responsible for the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board and the Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, adds Minister of Service NL.
The Honourable Sandy Collins Minister of Child Youth and Family Services, adds responsibility for the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission.
The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, adds responsibility for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency.
The Honourable Felix Collins becomes Attorney General.
"I thank all members of Cabinet, both outgoing members and those who remain, for your service to the people of the province and to our government. By accepting more responsibility and committing to the hard work ahead, Ministers have demonstrated once again, their ability to lead and to rise to new challenges. This is challenging work, requiring our full and dedicated efforts, and I am honoured to serve with this group of individuals."
- Premier Davis
The Honourable Steve Kent remains Deputy Premier, Minister of Health and Community Services and Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement. The Honourable David Brazil remains Minister of Transportation and Works, the Honourable Derrick Dalley continues as Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Keith Russell continues in the portfolio of Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs.
Changes announced by the Premier today are effective immediately.
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Media contacts:
|
Heather Maclean
Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3581 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Donna Ivey
Special Assistant, Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3551, 699-2402 donnaivey@gov.nl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Biographies
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. From January to September 2014 he served as Attorney General.
Hon. Sandy Collins, Member for Terra Nova
Born in Gander and raised in Glovertown, Mr. Collins graduated from Glovertown Academy and went on to Memorial University, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree, double majoring in Political Science and History. Following a year of teaching in South Korea, he returned to Memorial where he earned an Education Degree and after which completed his teaching internship at Holy Cross School in Eastport. He would then return to Korea for another year of teaching.
In January 2004, Mr. Collins began working with government, as the Constituency Assistant to then MHA, Paul Oram. He assisted the families, employers and councils of the Terra Nova District with their issues and concerns. He not only deepened his appreciation of the area's needs and opportunities, but also developed a strong working relationship with residents.
In October 2007, he accepted the role as Executive Assistant to the Minister of Business and then to the Minister of Health and Community Services.
Mr. Collins was elected as MHA on November 26, 2009. He was re-elected on October 11, 2011 and appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Community Services on October 28, 2011. In May 2014, Mr. Collins was appointed Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.
In July 2014, Minister Collins was appointed Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services, retaining responsibility for the Office of Public Engagement.
Hon. Dan Crummell, Member for St. John's West
Mr. Crummell was raised in Gander and moved to St. John's to pursue his post-secondary education. He attended Memorial University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with minors in History and English. While at Memorial, he served as Executive Vice-President and later President of Memorial University's Council of the Student's Union. Following his university studies, he joined Molson Canada where he worked in sales and marketing for 25 years, including 10 years as Regional Sales Manager for Newfoundland and Labrador.
As a business leader, Mr. Crummell served on numerous boards and committees in the community including Destination St. John's Event Secretariat, Stand On Guard Igor Hurricane Relief Concert Committee, South East Asia Tsunami Relief Concert Committee and Molson Canada's Community Donations Fund Committee. He is also a past coach in the St. John's Caps Minor Hockey Association, as well a member of the St. John's Elks. Mr. Crummell was elected to the House of Assembly in the October 11, 2011 general election and appointed Parliamentary Secretary for the Department of Advanced Education and Skills. On October 9, 2013, he was appointed Minister of Service NL, Minister Responsible for the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission, Minister Responsible for the Office of the Chief Information Officer, and Minister Responsible for the Government Purchasing Agency. In May 2014, Mr. Crummell was appointed Minister Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency.
In July 2014, Minister Crummell was appointed Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services Newfoundland and Labrador, and Registrar General. He was appointed Minister of Environment and Conservation, Minister Responsible for Multi-Materials Stewardship Board and the Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency in September 2014.
Hon. Derrick Dalley, Member for The Isles of Notre Dame
Derrick Dalley was born in Twillingate, Notre Dame Bay. He spent his early childhood in Springdale and later returned to Twillingate where he completed high school at J.M.Olds Collegiate. He graduated from Memorial University in 1987 with Bachelor Degrees in Arts and Education which included a Political Science major. In 1992, he completed a Masters Degree in Guidance and Counselling at the University of New Brunswick.
Mr. Dalley started his career as a Social Worker in Twillingate. After a year he moved to education and became the Guidance Counsellor in Baie Verte. For seven years Mr. Dalley continued in his role as Guidance Counsellor for several schools on the Baie Verte Peninsula before moving to Twillingate in 1995. He continued his career in education in various capacities, including principal of Inter Island Academy of New World Island and Guidance Counsellor and Principal of J. M. Olds Academy of Twillingate.
Mr. Dalley has always been very active in the area of sports, having participated in many sports including hockey and softball. He has spent much of his free time coaching and teaching hockey and working with students who are actively involved in school life. Mr. Dalley was first elected as MHA for the District of The Isles of Notre Dame in the election of October 9, 2007. He was appointed as Vice-Chair of the Public Accounts Committee on January 9, 2008.
On January 13, 2011, Mr. Dalley was appointed Minister of Business. He was re-elected to the House of Assembly on October 11, 2011. On October 28, 2011, he was appointed Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. On October 19, 2012, he was appointed Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
In October 2013, Minister Dalley was appointed Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency.
Hon. Vaughn Granter, Member for Humber West
Vaughn Granter was born in Pool's Island, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, in 1965. He worked in the education field as an educational leader beginning in 1987, and he is a graduate of Memorial University (Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education) and
Mr. Granter prides himself on being an effective listener and team player. His passion is working with people. As Principal of Corner Brook Regional High, he has been recognized as one of the top 30 Principals in Canada, a distinction that reflects his ability to bring people together and make effective decisions. He credits his success to the collaborative approach that he adopts in working not only with students but also with their families and the broader community. In his role as MHA, he works with the community in advancing key issues in priority areas that include housing, health care, and education.
He was first elected in the by-election in Humber West on February 15, 2011. He was re-elected in the October 11, 2011 general election. On October 28, 2011, he was appointed Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier. On October 24, 2012, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources (Forestry and Agrifoods). In May 2014, Mr. Granter was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Community Services.
In July 2014, Minister Granter was appointed Minister of Environment and Conservation, Minister Responsible for the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board, Minister Responsible for the Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, and Minister Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency. Minister Granter was appointed Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture in September 2014.
Hon. Keith Hutchings, Member for Ferryland
Keith Hutchings was born the youngest of six children and grew up in the small community of Mobile on the Southern Shore. Keith attended St. Bernard s Elementary School in Witless Bay and Mobile Central High. He has been active in the sporting community, involved in coaching, active as a volunteer, serving on various sporting executives and as well chairing various fundraising events.
Mr. Hutchings graduated from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Political Science and obtained a Certificate in Public Administration from Memorial, as well as an Occupational Health and Safety Program from Ryerson University in Toronto.
Mr. Hutchings' professional career has included 11 years with the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission. He also served as Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to then Leader of the Official Opposition in the Provincial House of Assembly (1996 -1998) and successfully ran his own consulting business.
Mr. Hutchings was elected as the 9th Member of the House of Assembly for the District of Ferryland since Confederation in a by-election on February 8, 2007. In the general election of October 9, 2007 he was re-elected and appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment on October 30, 2007. On November 27, 2009 Mr. Hutchings was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Community Services.
Mr. Hutchings was re-elected as the Member for Ferryland on October 11, 2011. On October 28, 2011, he was appointed as Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development and Minister Responsible for the Rural Secretariat, and the Research & Development Corporation. On October 19, 2012, Mr. Hutchings was also appointed Minister Responsible for the newly formed Office of Public Engagement.
In October 2013, Minister Hutchings was appointed Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. He was appointed Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs in September 2014.
Hon. Clyde Jackman, Member for Burin-Placentia West
Clyde Jackman was born in Grole, Hermitage Bay, and is the eldest of 10 children. His family resettled to Marystown in 1968. For the past 25 years, Mr. Jackman has resided in Baine Harbour where he and his wife raised their five children. He completed his high school years at Pearce Regional High School and went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts and Education degree from Memorial University. In 1993, he received a Masters of Education from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Mr. Jackman worked in education for 27 years. His first two years of teaching took him to Cartwright, Labrador. He then returned to the Burin Peninsula and worked as a teaching principal at St. Matthew's Elementary, Boat Harbour West, and as Principal at Jacques Fontaine All-Grade School, Jacques Fontaine.
Mr. Jackman has served as a volunteer at both the local and provincial levels. He has been a member of the Board of Directors for the T. J. Macdonald Youth Group Home and for 21 years he worked as a volunteer firefighter. He has held several positions within his local church community and, for a period of time, he and his family provided foster care support. Mr. Jackman is an avid outdoors person. He particularly enjoys kayaking and canoeing. He has fished alongside trawlermen and inshore fishermen and he has a deep interest in the future of rural Newfoundland and Labrador. He was sworn in as the Member for Burin - Placentia West on November 12, 2003. He was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for the Department of Education in June 2005. He was sworn in as Minister of Environment and Conservation on March 14, 2006.
Mr. Jackman was re-elected to the House of Assembly on October 9, 2007, and on October 30 he was appointed Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.
On October 31, 2008, Mr. Jackman was appointed Acting Minister of Environment and Conservation. On November 27, 2009, he was appointed Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Clyde Jackman was re-elected to the House of Assembly on October 11, 2011. He was sworn in as Education Minister on November 16, 2011. In May 2014, Mr. Jackman was appointed Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services.
In July 2014, Minister Jackman was appointed Minister of Health and Community Services and Minister responsible for Aging and Seniors. He was appointed Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities in September 2014.
Hon. Darin King, Member for Grand Bank
Darin King was first elected to the House of Assembly for Newfoundland and Labrador on October 9, 2007, and was named Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Education. He has served on the House of Assembly Social Services and Public Accounts Committees. He was re-elected to the House of Assembly on October 11, 2011.
Dr. King was appointed to Executive Council and sworn in as the Minister of Education in April, 2009. On January 13, 2011, he was appointed as Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment; Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities; Minister Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency; Minister Responsible for Youth Engagement; Minister Responsible for the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission, and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.
He was born in Grand Bank, and raised in Fortune on the south coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. After high school, he completed a Bachelor of Education and Diploma in School Resources Services from Memorial University; Masters of Education at Saint Mary's University, Halifax; and a PhD from Northcentral University, Arizona.
Prior to his election, Dr. King was the CEO/Director of Education for the Eastern School District with responsibility for 127 schools and approximately 46,000 students. Through his career in education, he served as a classroom teacher and in a variety of leadership positions at the school and school district levels. He has taught graduate studies at Memorial University and served as a supervisor of doctoral students.
Dr. King has acquired an extensive background in community service and rural development as a result of serving on a variety of boards and organizations.
On October 19, 2012, Minister King was appointed Minister of Justice, Government House Leader and Minister Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency.
In May 2014, Minister King was appointed Minister of Education. In September 2014, Minister King was appointed acting Minister of Justice before being appointed as Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development and Minister Responsible for the Research and Development Corporation.
Hon. Keith Russell, Member for Lake Melville
Keith Russell was elected to represent the people of the District of Lake Melville in the October 11, 2011, general election.
Mr. Russell is a Member of the Board of Directors of the Labrador Friendship Centre, a community volunteer and a Lake Melville Minor Hockey Coach.
He graduated from Our Lady Queen of Peace School in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and went on to receive a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in 1998 from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
Born in Happy Valley, Labrador in 1975, Mr. Russell is the middle of three sons to Kay and Frank Russell. He is married to Brenda and has two wonderful children, Alicia and Keith.
In July 2014, Minister Russell was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, Minister responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. In September 2014, the Minister was appointed to Cabinet as Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs.
Hon. Susan Sullivan, Member for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans
Susan Sullivan was born and raised in Grand Falls-Windsor and is fiercely proud of her hometown and its rich legacy of social, cultural, and economic leadership.
Minister Sullivan has a Bachelor of Arts (French major) and a Bachelor of Education from Memorial University. She has a Masters of Education (literacy) from Mount St. Vincent University and a French immersion diploma from l'Université Laval.
She retired in June of 2007 following a 30-year teaching career, working the last seven years as the French Department Head for the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation where she taught senior high French to all parts of the province via the Internet.
In the 2005 municipal election, Minister Sullivan was elected Deputy Mayor of Grand Falls-Windsor, serving as Chair of the Public Works and Engineering Committee and the 2006 Salmon Festival. She was a member of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee, the Finance and Human Resources Committee, and the Post Secondary Education Committee. She was also a director of the EXCITE Corporation and a board member of the Exploits Valley Economic Development Corporation where she served on the Municipalities Committee as well as the Education and IT Committees.
Minister Sullivan entered provincial politics when she was elected to the House of Assembly in the deferred general election in the District of Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans on November 6, 2007, and in October 2008 was appointed Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment; Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities; Minister Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency; and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs. Minister Sullivan has also served as Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development; Minister Responsible for the Rural Secretariat; Minister Responsible for the Status of Women; and Minister of Health and Community Services.
In September 2014, Minister Sullivan was appointed Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development.
Hon. Ross Wiseman, Member for Trinity North
Ross Wiseman, MHA for Trinity North, was first elected in a by-election on April 25, 2000. Prior to entering political life, he had a successful 15-year career in health administration with the Peninsulas Health Care Corporation and the former Clarenville Area Hospital Board. He also has extensive experience in the financial services industry, having held several branch and regional management positions throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
While a Member in the House of Assembly, Mr. Wiseman has served as the deputy chair of Public Accounts Committee and chaired the Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors.
On September 26, 2001, he was appointed the Opposition Critic for Health and Community Services. Following his victory in the General Election in the District of Trinity North on October 21, 2003, Mr. Wiseman was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Community Services. On January 19, 2007, he was appointed Minister of Health and Community Services.
On October 9, 2007, he was re-elected to the House of Assembly and subsequently appointed Minister of Health and Community Services on October 30. He was appointed Minister of Business on July 9, 2009. On January 13, 2011, he was appointed Minister of Environment and Conservation.
On October 11, 2011, Mr. Wiseman was once again re-elected as the Member for Trinity North, and on October 27, 2011, he was elected as Speaker of the House of Assembly. In September 2014, Minister Wiseman was appointed Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board.
2015 03 12 11:35 a.m.