With just over a year remaining before New Brunswickers head to the polls in the 2018 provincial election, Premier Brian Gallant has announced he will soon be making changes to his cabinet which he installed last year.
At a caucus retreat in St. Stephen on Wednesday, Gallant advised reporters that a cabinet shuffle would soon be in the cards.
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“I haven’t really sat down and put pen to paper on it but I can tell you that there will be one,” said Gallant of an upcoming shuffle.
“The cabinet that we have right now worked very hard to grow the economy and invest in education and improve healthcare,” Gallant said. “But giving departments and files a different look is always a good thing.”
The news comes just as Gallant and his government near the three year mark of their term.
Last summer’s cabinet shuffle saw the addition of two new ministers as John Ames was appointed to the tourism file while Lisa Harris took on the seniors and long-term care portfolio, as well as the newly created Celtic affairs position.
Gallant indicates moving MLAs into different roles helps ensure the departments receive the best attention possible.
“I think for us what’s really important is to give every perspective to any decision making,” he explained. “So when we have a shuffle we’re able to have a different perspective on certain files and to departments.”
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Rick Doucet became Minister of Energy and Resource Development during the June 2016 shuffle, a file that hasn’t been without challenge due to changes made to softwood lumber exports.
Doucet, who will seek re-election in 2018, said he is happy to take on whatever role he’s appointed to.
“We don’t know whats going to take place but I’m quite pleased with the job that I’m doing,” he said. “If that changes well look that’s just something we’ll have to deal with but I’m always happy for a new challenge.”
Gallant said no timetable has been set for when the changes will take effect but that they will likely be seen in the near future.