Premier Announces Senior Appointments

The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced senior executive reassignments.

“There is a depth of talent and expertise within the provincial public service that serves the people of our province very well,” said the Premier. “I thank these individuals for their commitment during their tenure with the Provincial Government and anticipate their continued valuable contributions.”

As announced by the Premier on October 9, the Department of Municipal Affairs now includes the Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat, forming the new Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs. As well, Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs is now combined into one office.

Sean Dutton remains Deputy Minister responsible for Intergovernmental Affairs and, in addition, is appointed Chief Executive Officer of Fire and Emergency Services –Newfoundland and Labrador. Colleen Janes remains in her role as Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Mike Samson is confirmed in his role as Chief Executive Officer of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB), a role he has held since March 26, 2013, while serving concurrently as CEO of Fire and Emergency Services – Newfoundland and Labrador.
Aubrey Gover is appointed Deputy Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, serving previously as Assistant Deputy Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.

These appointments do not add to the number of executive officials within the Provincial Government. Executive officials are Deputy Ministers, Assistant Deputy Ministers, Executive Directors, and their equivalents. In Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future, Premier Dunderdale announced the elimination of 10 senior executive positions, with the total going from 121 to 111.

See the Backgrounder below for biographical information.

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BACKGROUNDER
Biographical Information

Sean Dutton
Mr. Dutton most recently served as Deputy Minister of the Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat. He started his career with the Provincial Government in 1994 as an analyst with the Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat, where he also worked as a Senior Analyst, Director of Resource and Economic Policy and Assistant Deputy Minister (Acting). His other roles within the provincial public service have included Deputy Minister responsible for conducting a horizontal review of federal-provincial agreements to determine their efficiency and effectiveness; Assistant Deputy Minister and Deputy Minister of the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs; and Cabinet Officer with Executive Council. Mr. Dutton is a graduate of Acadia University, holding Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Master of Arts degrees, both in political science.

Mike Samson
A career public servant, Mike Samson has worked in the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador since 1987. Throughout his career, he has worked in a number of areas including tourism, fisheries, agriculture, intergovernmental affairs and aboriginal affairs.
Since 1999, Mr. Samson has served in a number of senior executive positions, most recently as Chief Executive Officer of Fire and Emergency Services – Newfoundland and Labrador (FES-NL). Mr. Samson studied political science at Acadia University and Memorial University. He currently resides in the community of Torbay with his wife Joanne and 11-year-old daughter Emily.

Aubrey Gover, QC
Mr. Gover most recently served as Assistant Deputy Minister (Aboriginal Affairs) with the Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat, Executive Council. In 1993, he joined the Department of Justice as Solicitor (Civil Division). In 1999, he joined the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs as Legal Counsel. In that capacity, he was Provincial Negotiator for the Innu Land Claim, as well as providing counsel regarding the Innu Nation Land Claim and Self Government negotiations; Aboriginal aspects of the Lower Churchill, Voisey’s Bay, Trans Labrador Highway and Five-Wing Goose Bay; implementation and ratification of the Labrador Inuit Land Claim Agreement; creation of the Indian Act reserves at Sheshatshiu and Natuashish; and, self-government for the Miawpukek First Nation at Conne River. Mr. Gover has also served as a member of the House of Assembly, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and Minister of Works, Services and Transportation. He holds the degrees of Master of Business Administration from Memorial University and Bachelor of Laws from York University, Osgoode Hall Law School.

2013 12 17             11:30 a.m.