Executive Council
May 1, 2014

Premier Announces Changes to Cabinet

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

The Honourable Clyde Jackman is appointed Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services.

The Honourable Susan Sullivan is appointed Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development and Minister Responsible for the Research and Development Corporation. Minister Sullivan maintains her responsibility for Francophone Affairs.

The Honourable Darin King is appointed Minister of Education. Minister King remains Government House Leader.

The Honourable Terry French is appointed Minister of Justice.

The Honourable Paul Davis is appointed Minister of Health and Community Services, and Minister Responsible for Aging and Seniors.

The Honourable Dan Crummell is appointed Minister Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency. Minister Crummell continues as 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.

The Honourable Sandy Collins is appointed Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

“I extend sincere gratitude to these ministers for their commitment to taking on new roles and responsibilities within Cabinet. These changes will certainly bring a renewed and fresh perspective to both the Cabinet table and to our government. In addition to these changes, I am pleased to welcome a new member to Cabinet, Mr. Sandy Collins. I am sure he will bring both vitality and a youthful dynamic to Cabinet and I look forward to working with him.”
- 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 Natural Resources (Forestry and Agrifoods), Tracey Perry as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, and Vaughn Granter as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Community Services.

“I thank all members of caucus and Cabinet for their continued support and dedication during this time of transition. We will continue to govern, listening to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. We will remain focused on working together and strive to ensure a vibrant and prosperous province for our people.”
- Premier Marshall

See the Backgrounder below for biographical information.

QUICK FACTS

  • On May 1, 2014, Premier Marshall announced changes to his Cabinet:
    • The Honourable Clyde Jackman as Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services.
    • The Honourable Susan Sullivan as Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development.
    • The Honourable Darin King as Minister of Education.
    • The Honourable Terry French as Minister of Justice.
    • The Honourable Paul Davis as Minister of Health and Community Services.
    • The Honourable Dan Crummell as Minister Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency in addition to his current responsibilities.
    • The Honourable Sandy Collins as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.
  • Clayton Forsey is Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources (Forestry and Agrifoods); Tracey Perry is Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development; and Vaughn Granter is Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Community Services.

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Media contacts:

Milly Brown
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
millybrown@gov.nl.ca 		Tracey Boland
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
709-729-4304, 697-3128
traceyboland@gov.nl.ca 

BACKGROUNDER
Biographies

Hon. Terry French, Member for Conception Bay South
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. Mr. French was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment on January 19, 2007.

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. He was re-elected once again on October 11, 2011.

Mr. French was sworn in as the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation on November 27, 2009.

On October 28, 2011, Mr. French was appointed Minister of Environment and Conservation and Minister Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency the Multi Materials Stewardship Board; and the Office of Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Emissions Trading.

On October 19, 2012, Mr. French was sworn in as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

Before being elected to the House of Assembly, Mr. French from 1997 to 2002, served as Executive Assistant to the Member of Parliament for St. John's East. His political experience began early. He became President of the PC Youth wing of the local PC Association in the early eighties. He served on the Provincial Executive of the PC Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and was Campaign Chairman of two successful PC campaigns in the district during the 1996 and 1999 general elections. He has served as a member of the Provincial PC Election Readiness Committee. He was heavily involved in the 2001 and 2002 provincial PC by-election wins on the Northern Peninsula and in Bonavista North.

Mr. French graduated Queen Elizabeth High School in Foxtrap in 1984 and subsequently attended Memorial University until joining his father in a family business in 1986.

He has had strong involvement in the community, particularly community sports:

  • Member of the Board of Governors of the Conception Bay South Sports Hall of Fame;
  • Volunteer for the Summer Games in Conception Bay South;
  • Conception Bay South Minor Softball Coach;
  • Member of the Conception Bay South Softball Umpire Association;
  • Level 4 Umpire working at the National Softball Tournament.

He resides in Conception Bay South with his wife, two children, and his mother.

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 has 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.

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.

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.

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. In his role as Executive Assistant, he gained an understanding of the inner workings of government at the departmental level.

Given his past experience, Mr. Collins decided that he would seek the candidacy to continue working for residents of the Terra Nova District. He 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.

Hon. Paul Davis, Member for Topsail
Paul Davis was elected as the Member of the House of Assembly for the District of Topsail in a by-election on March 16, 2010. Mr. Davis was re-elected to the House of Assembly as the Member for Topsail on October 11, 2011. On October 28, 2011, he was appointed as Minister of Service NL and Minister Responsible for the Government Purchasing Agency, Office of the Chief Information Officer, and the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission. On October 19, 2012, Minister Davis was appointed Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland Labrador Housing Corporation. On October 9, 2013, he was appointed Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services.

Mr. Davis joined the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in 1985 after graduating from Holland College. In 1987, he transferred to the Corner Brook Division where he served the citizens of western Newfoundland for a five-year period until being re-assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division based at RNC Headquarters in St. John’s. During his service there, he received several assignments including Property Crimes, Major Crimes and the Child Abuse Sexual Assault Units. Mr. Davis also enjoyed serving the public in assignments with the Mount Pearl Community Policing Unit, West District Patrol Services and most recently as the RNC Media Relations Officer.

Mr. Davis has always been an active community member. He has served on a variety of local, regional and national boards and executives. He served nine years as a Conception Bay South town councillor, being elected in 2001, 2005 and 2009. He was twice chosen as Deputy Mayor by his council colleagues and chaired the Finance and Administration Committees.

Some of his career highlights include being named the Crime Stoppers Police Officer of the Year and the Conception Bay South Citizen of the Year. He is a recipient of the Canada 125 Medal, Queen’s Jubilee Medal and Police Exemplary Service Medal. In 2005, he was elected to the RNC Association Executive and remained an active member until his retirement in 2010.

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.

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 at Lewisporte in 1969 and Grand Falls-Windsor in 1970.

He had the opportunity to apply his drafting skills in the Engineering Department with Iron Ore Company of Canada Limited, Labrador City. 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 has been actively involved and served in various capacities with the following committees and organizations over the past 30 years: Bishop’s Falls Recreation Commission, Minor Hockey Association Director and Referee, Kinsmen Association (President-Vice President-Director), Bishop’s Falls Men’s Broomball Association (Executive Member), Provincial Broomball Association Central Vice-President, Member of Rural Development Association, Member of Exploits Regional Services Board, Lewisporte Chamber of Commerce (Company Representative), Exploits Regional Chamber of Commerce (Company Representative), Town of Bishop’s Falls (Councillor, Chairperson of Department of Recreation, Chairperson of Fire Department Liaison Committee, Member of Public Works Committee and Finance Committee), Bishop’s Falls Lions Club (President, Vice-President, Director, Chairperson of Sponsoring committee for 512 Air Cadet Squadron, Chairperson of Winter Carnival Committee, Member of Citizen of the Year Committee, Chairperson of Zone 6 Lions District Association 41-S1, Chairperson of Lions Max Simms Telethon).

He 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 30, 2007, the Premier announced that he would be nominating Mr. Forsey to serve as Chair of the Progressive Conservative Caucus. He was re-elected in the October 11, 2011 general election.

On January 29, 2014, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development and Minister Responsible for the Research & Development Corporation.

Tracey Perry, Member for Fortune Bay-Cape La Hune
Tracey Perry is very committed to ensuring a dynamic future in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. She has over 14 years experience in rural development at the grass roots level, working with individuals, municipalities, community organizations and regional groups.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Co-operative) degree from Memorial University, and upon completion of university in 1993, she returned to her rural hometown of St. Albans where she established and operated TMP Consulting Inc. In 1995, she began a successful career as Executive Director for the Coast of Bays Corporation (regional economic development board), acquiring an extensive knowledge of the districts challenges and its significant opportunities for growth. Ms. Perry is experienced in strategic planning, project management, organizational governance and fostering co-operation. In addition, she has worked with Consulting and Audit Canada in Ottawa, as well as the head office of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency in Moncton.

Active in volunteer and leadership capacities from the local to the national level, she served as a Girl Guide Leader from 1993-1996, then became President of the Bay d' Espoir Development Association (1997-1998). From 1999 to 2001, she Chaired the Newfoundland Salmonid Growers Association, and was a member of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Association's Standing Committee on Human Resources from 2002 to 2004. She also served on the Rural Secretariat for Council #5 from 2003-2007.

Ms. Perry has worked with regional committees for the Joint Mayors, Tourism, Fishery and Aquaculture, as well as numerous other groups in communities throughout Fortune Bay-Cape La Hune. Other activities include serving as Director with the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA), the NL Economic Developers Association, the Central Newfoundland Tourism Committee, the Labour Market Development Development Agreement Committee as well as the Communication and Fisheries Committees of the Provincial Zone Board Association.

On October 9th, 2007, Ms. Perry became the first woman ever elected to serve the district of Fortune Bay-Cape La Hune and was appointed Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. She also serves on the Public Accounts Committee and the Ministerial Committees for Fisheries, as well as for Youth Retention and Attraction. Ms. Perry was re-elected as the Member for Fortune Bay-Cape Le Hune on October 11, 2011.

Ms. Perry is the youngest of thirteen children. She resides in St. Albans with her partner.

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 Saint Francis Xavier University (Master of Education).

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 thirty 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).

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