Executive Council
July 31, 2017

Premier Ball Announces changes to Cabinet

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced changes to his Cabinet.

Joining Cabinet are Tom Osborne, MHA for Waterford Valley, who has been appointed as Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, Minister Responsible for the Human Resources Secretariat, Minister Responsible for the Public Service Commission, Minister Responsible for the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation; and Lisa Dempster, MHA for Cartwright – L’Anse au Clair, who has been appointed to the role of Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development; Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation; and Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Ministers assuming new portfolios are:

  • Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education Skills and Labour;
  • Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources;
  • Steve Crocker, Minister of Transportation and Works;
  • Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Service NL, Minister Responsible for Workplace NL and Minster Responsible for the Government Purchasing Agency;
  • Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women;
  • Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment and Minister Responsible for the Office of Climate Change; and
  • Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry, and Innovation and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs.

Quote
“During our first 20 months in office, our government has made significant progress on issues that are important to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians such as improving the province’s financial position, while supporting community development and business growth. I look forward to the fresh perspectives and unique skillsets that the ministers will bring to their new roles as we continue to implement our plan for a stronger Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

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Media contact
Michelle Cannizzaro
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
michellecannizzaro@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Biographies

Hon. Eddie Joyce, Member for Humber - Bay of Islands
Eddie Joyce first started serving constituents in the Bay of Islands in 1989. He was re-elected in 1999, and appointed Parliamentary Assistant to Premier Roger Grimes in 2001. After being returned to the House of Assembly in the 2003 election, he served as the Opposition Critic for the Department of Natural Resources, Tourism, and other important portfolios. In 2011 Mr. Joyce again won election to represent the people of the Bay of Islands. In 2013, he served as the interim Leader of the Liberal Party and the Official Opposition.

In addition to politics, Mr. Joyce has had a long and successful career in sports. In 1975, he won a bronze medal in boxing at the Canada Winter Games. He was inducted into the soccer hall of fame and was twice named Corner Brook's athlete of the year. In addition to being active as a player in various sports, he has also served as a coach in the Corner Brook region. He has had a long-time involvement with the Canadian Paraplegic Association, including executive positions on the board. Mr. Joyce formerly acted as Minister of Service NL and Municipal Affairs

The Honourable Eddie Joyce was appointed Minister of Municipal Affairs (now Municipal Affairs and Environment) on December 14, 2015.

Hon. Christopher Mitchelmore, Member for St. Barbe - L'Anse aux Meadows
Christopher Mitchelmore was first elected to the House of Assembly in 2011, as the youngest member of the legislature. He is from Green Island Cove, a small fishing village on the Great Northern Peninsula.

Mr. Mitchelmore has a Bachelor of Commerce Honours (Co-op) degree from Memorial University, with international study experience in the United Kingdom and at the University of Economics in the Czech Republic. He worked with the Department of Innovation, Business, and Rural Development; the Newfoundland and Labrador Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities (PUB); and London Offshore Consultants.

Prior to entering politics, Mr. Mitchelmore worked as a client services officer and a youth ventures coordinator with the Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC) Nortip. He has an extensive track record of community involvement, including time as vice president of the Straits - St. Barbe Chronic Care Corporation and director and member of the Canadian Community Economic Development Network.

The Honourable Chris Mitchelmore was appointed Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development (now Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation) on December 14, 2015.

Hon. Steve Crocker, Member for Carbonear - Trinity - Bay de Verde
Steve Crocker was elected to the House of Assembly in November 2014 in Trinity - Bay de Verde. Since his swearing in, Mr. Crocker has served as the opposition critic for business and rural development, including the Research & Development Corporation. Mr. Crocker has been a tireless advocate for the people of Trinity - Bay de Verde, working hard to bring attention to critical infrastructure needs for the district.

He worked as an entrepreneur at his family's business in the district of Carbonear - Trinity - Bay de Verde and resides in Heart's Delight-Islington.

Prior to his election, he served as executive assistant to Dwight Ball, the leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Honourable Steve Crocker was appointed Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture (now Fisheries and Land Resources) on December 14, 2015.

Hon. Gerry Byrne, Member for Corner Brook
Gerry Byrne has had a long and successful career in federal politics, having served as the Member of Parliament for Humber -St. Barbe-Baie Verte since 1996. Mr. Byrne was re-elected six times to the Parliament of Canada.

From 2002 until 2004, Mr. Byrne served as the Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency; the youngest cabinet member in Newfoundland and Labrador history. He was parliamentary secretary to several key cabinet members. He has also served in a lead role on a number of influential government standing committees.

Prior to entering politics, Mr. Byrne worked as an economic development officer on the Great Northern Peninsula, during which time he was involved in numerous projects from varying segments of the provincial economy, including the renewable and non-renewable resource sectors. He was born and raised in Corner Brook. Mr. Byrne completed his post-secondary education at Dalhousie University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.

The Honourable Gerry Byrne was appointed Minister of Advanced Education and Skills (now Advanced Education, Skills and Labour) on December 14, 2015.

Hon. Siobhan Coady, Member for St. John's West
Siobhan Coady is a business leader and President of Novocom Inc., an international resource procurement company. From 2008 to 2011, she was the Liberal Member of Parliament for the riding of St. John's South-Mount Pearl. She was Critic for Treasury Board; a member of the Industry Committee; and vice chair of the Operations Committee.

Prior to entering politics, she owned and operated companies as diverse as Newfound Genomics Inc, a leading biotechnology company; The Clinical Trials Centre, a medical research company; and Bonaventure Fisheries, a privately-held fish harvesting company. Ms. Coady is a past chair (2003) and governor of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. She was president of the St. John's Board of Trade in 1993.

Ms. Coady has been recognized as one of the Top 50 CEOs in Atlantic Canada and has received the Queen's Jubilee Medal. Ms. Coady is also a well-known political commentator for CBC. She currently sits on several private Boards of Directors as well as Compute Canada and the Board of the Institute of Corporate Directors, St. John's. She is the Chair of the 200th celebration committee of the royal St John's Regatta. She previously was on the Board of Genome Canada, the Public Policy Forum, the St. John's Airport Authority, the Genesis Centre, the Atlantic Innovation Council and the Institute of Chartered Accountants Newfoundland, to name a few.

Ms. Coady is an alumnus of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Oxford University and the University of Toronto. She is an accredited director (ICD.D) of the Institute of Corporate Directors and an Accredited Public Relations Professional (APR).

The Honourable Siobhan Coady was appointed Minister of Natural Resources on December 14, 2015.

Hon. Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Member for Placentia - St. Mary's
Sherry Gambin-Walsh has 25 years of experience as a healthcare professional and many years in the non-profit sector. Ms. Gambin-Walsh was born and raised in Placentia and currently resides in North Harbour, St. Mary's Bay. She completed nursing studies in 1990 and received a certificate in leadership from Memorial University.

Ms. Gambin-Walsh worked as a neonatal nurse at the Dr. Charles A. Janeway and as the community inclusion coordinator and the provincial executive director for the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living. She served on the board of the NL Irish Connections and Festival of the Sea. Ms. Gambin-Walsh was also a member of the Provincial Advisory Council to the Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Ms. Gambin-Walsh was the chair of the Autism Society and the chair of the Avalon Gateway Regional Economic Development Board as well as being a member of the St. Mary's Bay Rural Development Association and other community boards.

The Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh was appointed Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services (now Children, Seniors and Social Development) on December 14, 2015.

Hon. Al Hawkins, Member for Grand Falls-Windsor – Buchans
Al Hawkins has had an extensive career as an educator, in business and in community involvement. Born and raised in Twillingate, he studied at Memorial University and received a Bachelor of Arts (Ed.) and a Bachelor of Arts. He then spent 28 years as a teacher and administrator.

Following his time in the education profession, Mr. Hawkins embarked on a business career. He worked for eight years as the executive director of a US-based software company, spearheaded the startup and expansion of a regional call centre operation, and spent time as a mortgage consultant in Grand Falls-Windsor.

Mr. Hawkins has been involved in municipal politics since 1993, serving time as a town councillor and more recently, as the mayor of Grand Falls-Windsor. He has volunteered for many causes and has served on numerous boards over the years, including time as president of the Exploits Regional Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Hawkins formally held the position of Minister of Transportation and Works in the current administration.

The Honourable Al Hawkins was appointed Minister of Transportation and Works on December 14, 2015.

Hon. Tom Osbourne, Member for Waterford Valley
A native of St. John’s, Tom Osborne attended Cabot College and Memorial University of Newfoundland. He was involved with the business community for several years. Prior to entering politics he worked for Statistics Canada, Small Business Enterprise, and with the Penney Group of Companies.

He has represented his district of Waterford Valley (formerly St. John’s South) since 1996. Mr. Osborne served as Deputy Speaker and has held several cabinet positions, including Minister of Environment and Minister of Labour, Minister of Health, and Minister of Justice.

Mr. Osbourne was appointed as Speaker of the House in December, 2015.

Hon. Lisa Dempster, Member for Cartwright - L'Anse au Clair
Lisa Dempster has had extensive experience in community service in Labrador. Born and raised in Charlottetown, Labrador, Lisa attended Memorial University and has a background in tourism. She served the region for 23 years as a career and employment officer. Lisa has served in community leadership in a number of capacities, including time as deputy mayor of Charlottetown, a trustee for the Labrador Grenfell Health Board, a member of the Memorial University School of Medicine's admissions board and co-chair of the Literacy Committee.

Ms. Dempster was appointed as Deputy Speaker of the House in December, 2015.

2017 07 31                              2:15 p.m.