At a ceremony today at Government House, the Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador appointed members to his Cabinet and announced a number of changes related to department alignments.

The following is a list of Cabinet Ministers and their related departments:

• Premier and Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs – Hon. Andrew Furey
• Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, President of Treasury Board, Minister Responsible for the Public Service Commission and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation – Hon. Siobhan Coady
• Minister of Education – Hon. Tom Osborne
• Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology – Hon. Andrew Parsons, Q.C.
• Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation and Government House Leader – Hon. Steve Crocker
• Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills – Hon. Gerry Byrne
• Minister of Health and Community Services – Hon. John Haggie
• Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs, and Deputy Government House Leader – Hon. Lisa Dempster
• Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Minister Responsible for Labour and Minister Responsible for Workplace NL – Hon. Bernard Davis
• Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture – Hon. Derrick Bragg
• Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Minister Responsible for the Public Procurement Agency – Hon. Elvis Loveless
• Minister of Digital Government and ServiceNL, Minister Responsible for the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs – Hon. Sarah Stoodley
• Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality – Hon. Pam Parsons
• Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, Minister Responsible for the Community Sector and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation – Hon. John Abbott
• Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General – Hon. John Hogan, Q.C.
• Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and Registrar General – Hon. Krista Lynn Howell

Biographies of the Cabinet Ministers appointed today can be found in the backgrounder below.

Quote
“This is a modern Cabinet for modern times. Choosing a Cabinet from the high calibre caucus elected by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians was a difficult task, and I congratulate all Cabinet Ministers sworn in today. I am confident that our team is up to the challenge of building a better, brighter future for our province.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

– 30 –

Media contact
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Biographies

Hon. Andrew Furey, Premier
Born and raised in Newfoundland and Labrador, Premier Andrew Furey is a passionate orthopaedic trauma surgeon and educator with Memorial University’s School of Medicine.

Premier Furey has a diverse education, which includes a Diploma in Organizational Leadership from Oxford University and a Masters in Clinical Epidemiology from Memorial. His strong work ethic has earned him many local, provincial, and national awards and honours. He was named Humanitarian of the Year by the Canadian Red Cross and earned the Governor General of Canada’s Meritorious Service Cross.

In 2010, he helped create Team Broken Earth to provide medical relief after the devastating earthquake in Haiti. This Newfoundland and Labrador-born charity has since expanded in size and scope. Today, over 1,500 volunteers from across Canada, the US, and UK have participated in medical missions to Haiti as well as Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. On top of that, Premier Furey helped found A Dollar A Day Foundation to support mental health initiatives across Canada.

Premier Furey enjoys spending time with his wife, Allison, and their children Maggie, Rachael and Mark. He credits his family for helping him stay grounded and maintain his perspective on what matters most – love, empathy, and making a difference.

He was sworn in as the 14th Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador on August 19, 2020.

Hon. Siobhan Coady
Siobhan Coady is an award winning entrepreneur and recognized as one of the top 50 CEO’s in Atlantic Canada. She has owned and operated companies as diverse as Newfound Genomics Inc. and Bonaventure Fisheries Inc. She is Past Chair and Governor of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Past President of the St. John’s Board of Trade.

She has chaired the regional economic development board, the Newfoundland and Labrador Business Hall of Fame, and has been the Campaign Chair for Red Cross. She has contributed to the Board of Directors of the St. John’s Airport Authority, the Genesis Centre, the Atlantic Innovation Council, the Institute of Corporate Directors, Genome Canada, Compute Canada and Children’s Wish to name a few.

Educated at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Oxford University and the University of Toronto, she is an accredited Director of the Institute of Corporate Directors and an Accredited Public Relations Professional.

On November 30, 2015, Ms. Coady was elected to represent the District of St. John’s West in the House of Assembly. She served as the Minister of Natural Resources, Government House Leader, Deputy Government House Leader, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. She has served as Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance since August 2019.  Prior to joining provincial politics, from 2008 to 2011, she was the Liberal Member of Parliament for the Riding of St. John’s South–Mount Pearl and Critic for Treasury Board.

Ms. Coady and her husband Pat live in St. John’s where they enjoy the outdoors and their Labrador Retrievers.

On April 8, 2021, she was sworn in as Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, President of Treasury Board, Minister Responsible for the Public Service Commission and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation.

Hon. Tom Osborne
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 has served as Deputy Speaker and has held several cabinet positions, including Minister of Environment, Minister of Labour, Minister of Health, and Minister of Justice.

Mr. Osborne was appointed as Speaker of the House in December, 2015, and was appointed Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, Minister Responsible for the Human Resource 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 in July of 2017.

On April 8, 2021 he was re-sworn as Minister of Education.

Hon. Andrew Parsons, Q.C.
Andrew Parsons has represented the district of Burgeo – La Poile since 2011. A lifelong resident of Channel-Port aux Basques, he trained as a lawyer and was called to the Newfoundland and Labrador bar in 2005. Mr. Parsons practiced law in the region before entering provincial politics. He previously served as the Opposition House Leader and the opposition critic for Justice, Health and Community Services, and other key portfolios.

Mr. Parsons has served on the executive of Port aux Basques Minor Hockey, including four years as president. He served as a committee member for Port aux Basques Come Home Year 2005, a member of the Southwest Coast Marine and Mountain Zone Committee, and as a board member on the Dr. Charles L. Legrow Health Care Foundation. He has also served as president of the Port aux Basques Chamber of Commerce and has been recognized and awarded numerous times for his public service and volunteerism. He was appointed Minister of Justice and Public Safety, Attorney General, and Government House Leader in December of 2015.

On April 8, 2021, he was re-sworn as Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology.

Hon. Steve Crocker
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 Innovation, Business and Rural Development, including the Research & Development Corporation. Mr. Crocker has been a tireless advocate for the people of Carbonear-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.

Mr. Crocker was appointed Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture on December 14, 2015. He was appointed Minister of Transportation and Works in July 2017, and Minister of Justice and Public Safety and President of Treasury Board in August 2020.  He has served as Government House Leader since 2019.

On April 8, 2021, he was sworn in as Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation and Government House Leader.

Hon. Gerry Byrne
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 beginning in 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.

Mr. Byrne was appointed Minister of Advanced Education and Skills on December 14, 2015, and Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources on July 31, 2017.  He was appointed to serve as Minister of Immigration, Skills and Labour and Minister Responsible for Workplace NL in August 2020.

On April 8, 2021, he was sworn in as Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills.

Hon. John Haggie
Born in England, the Honourable John Haggie completed his medical studies at Victoria University in Manchester. He held several positions as physician, surgeon, tutor and registrar in the North West region of England and after a two-year fellowship, he received a doctorate in cancer research.

Since moving to Canada in the early nineties, Minister Haggie has had a long and distinguished career in medicine in Newfoundland and Labrador. He practiced initially as a general surgeon in St. Anthony with the Grenfell Region Health Services. In 1997, he was appointed attending surgeon of general and vascular surgery at James Paton Memorial Hospital in Gander. In 2008, he was appointed Chief of Staff at James Paton Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Haggie served as President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association and the Canadian Medical Association.

In Newfoundland and Labrador’s 2015 general election, he was elected MHA for the District of Gander and appointed to Cabinet to serve as the Minister of Health and Community Services, and continues to serve in that portfolio.

Dr. Haggie resides in Gander with his wife Jeanette and two Westies, Chloe and Gracie.

Hon. Lisa Dempster
Lisa Dempster was first elected to the House of Assembly in 2013 in her home district of Cartwright – L’Anse au Clair. Ms. Dempster was appointed Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly in December 2015. In July 2017, Ms. Dempster was appointed 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.  She also served as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment in 2019.

Born and raised in Charlottetown, Labrador, Ms. Dempster attended Memorial University, and worked in the tourism and hospitality industry. She worked for 23 years as a career and employment counsellor, including 10 years with the NunatuKavut Community Council, of which Ms. Dempster is a member.

Ms. Dempster also served as Deputy Mayor of Charlottetown as well as the Labrador Director on Municipalities NL’s Board of Directors. Before entering public office, she served as a trustee with the Labrador-Grenfell Regional Health Authority Board, a member of the Memorial University Faculty of Medicine’s Admissions Committee, Chair of the Charlottetown Literacy Committee and Co-Chair of the Region’s Literacy Committee.

She represented the province for six years on the National Steering Committee of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, sharing her perspective on the opportunities and challenges for women interested in pursuing public office.

Ms. Dempster is married with two children: Nicholas (now deceased) and Natalie. She makes her home in Charlottetown, Labrador with her husband, Gaius, and daughter, Natalie.

On April 8, 2021, she was sworn in as Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs, and Deputy Government House Leader.

Hon. Bernard Davis
Bernard Davis is a lifelong resident of St. John’s, a dedicated community volunteer, and someone who is committed to enhancing and promoting community development issues across the province. A graduate of Memorial University (Bachelor of Commerce), Mr. Davis served as the Executive Director and Program Coordinator of the Church Lad’s Brigade (C.L.B.) and as an elected Councillor at St. John’s City Hall before entering provincial politics.

In 2015 Mr. Davis was elected to represent the District of Virginia Waters – Pleasantville, and has served as Parliamentary Secretary to both the Minister of Health and Community Services and Minister of Service NL.

He was appointed Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour in November of 2018, and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation in August of 2020.

On April 8, 2021, he was sworn in as Minister of Environment and Climate Change; Minister Responsible for Labour; and Minister Responsible for Workplace NL.

Hon. Derrick Bragg
Derrick Bragg was born and raised in the small community of Greenspond, where he was employed in the municipal sector for 30 years as town clerk/manager. He was a strong advocate of community engagement and volunteered on various committees including fire chief for 28 years. Mr. Bragg served on the board of directors for the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Municipal Administrators for eight years, five of which was in the capacity of president.

He was elected on November 30, 2015 and re-elected May 16, 2019. Mr. Bragg was appointed Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment on September 13, 2019.  In August 2020, he was sworn in as Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Minister Responsible for the Public Procurement Agency.

On April 8, 2021, he was appointed Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.

Hon. Elvis Loveless
Elvis Loveless is originally from Seal Cove, Fortune Bay, and is the proud father of two children, Kaitlyn and Ryan. His path to government included community service, commerce and business related work experience, and several years of post-secondary education in business administration and public administration.

He has also been dedicated to charitable work involving children, particularly his responsibilities as a Cabinet Committee Member of the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation fundraising campaign, which raised $3.6 million for cancer patients in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Loveless was elected to the House of Assembly on May 16, 2019.  In August 2020, he was appointed as Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.

On April 8, 2021, he was sworn in as Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Minister Responsible for the Public Procurement Agency.

Hon. Sarah Stoodley
Sarah Stoodley (M.A., B.Comm Co-op) was elected to the House of Assembly on May 16, 2019.

Ms. Stoodley grew up in Grand Falls-Windsor, lived and worked for three years in Oxford, UK and has built a successful career as a digital expert in financial services.

She was an elected alumni representative on the Memorial University Board of Regents and served on the C.A. Pippy Park Commission Board and the Tech NL (NATI) Board.

On April 8, 2021, she was re-sworn as Minister of Digital Government and ServiceNL, Minister Responsible for the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs.

Hon. Pam Parsons
Pam completed her degree in Political Science at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, NS in 2003, prior to completing her Program in Radio Television Arts at Kingstec, NSCC in the Annapolis Valley, NS, where she graduated with a Major in Broadcast Journalism. Upon completion of her studies in the Valley, Pam put her education and skills to work when she was hired a CBC’s Here and Now in St. John’s.

While reporting for TV News she also filed for CBC Radio. She was also employed as an on-air Journalist and Producer at Rogers TV ,Out of the Fog. In 2009 Pam moved to Owen Sound, Ontario where she was a Reporter and the Producer for First Local News, Rogers TV.

It was not long before she then accepted a position at NTV News, where she worked as a Video Journalist before making the transition to Political Life. In 2013 Pam was hired to work on the Liberal Leadership and multiple by-elections. She was elected to the House of Assembly in 2015 to represent the district of Harbour Grace – Port de Grave to present.

Pam has served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Department of Transportation and Works. She was the Deputy Chair or Committees. She is currently only the third woman in the history of Responsible Government in NL to serve as Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly. Pam was recently elected by all female MHAs to serve as the Representative for NL as the Women’s Commonwealth Parliamentarian – CWP.

On April 8, 2021, she was sworn in as Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality.

Hon. John Abbott
John is one of ten children born to William and Angela Abbott (nee Ennis) and was raised in the family home on Portugal Cove Road in what is now the District of St. John’s East – Quidi Vidi. This is where he played as a boy, went to school, and spent most of his adult life. He graduated from Gonzaga High School and attended Memorial University where he met his wife, Colleen Hanrahan, in a Political Science class in 1977. John went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science and Economics) at Memorial and a Master of Arts (Public Administration) at Carleton University. Following graduation, he moved to the district and started work with the Provincial Department of Finance.

John was Deputy Minister of Health, Municipal and Provincial Affairs, and Transportation and Works, Assistant Deputy Minister of Treasury Board, and CEO of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing. He has served under six premiers, and was awarded the Lt. Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration and the Pottle Award for promoting mental health in the community.

John is the former CEO of the NL Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), and former CEO of the Health Council of Canada. As Deputy Minister of Health and Community Services, he led the development of Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador.

He has served on national and provincial boards and was also President of Kiwanis Music Festival, and board member of the Jimmy Pratt Foundation, and Canadian Corps of Commissionaires-NL. He is an avid hiker, having backpacked across Newfoundland and in Europe, and slept under the stars in the Antarctic.

On April 8, 2021, he was sworn in as Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, Minister Responsible for the Community Sector, and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.

Hon. John Hogan, Q.C.
John is an active member in the community and has served as a member of the Board of Regents at Memorial University, a board member of the St. John’s Port Authority, and a bencher at the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. John Lives in St. John’s with his wife, Gillian, and daughter, Maggie.

On April 8, 2021, he was sworn in as Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General.

Hon. Krista Lynn Howell
As a Girl Guide leader, youth mentor, and swim team coach, her time was spent encouraging and supporting others. Her passion for helping people grew in the ten years she worked as registered nurse. For the past six years she has also served the community through involvement in municipal council, most notably being appointed St. Anthony’s first female mayor in fall 2019.

She became known for her wise decision making, calm confidence, and persistence on issues that mattered. This new role also gave her the opportunity to sit on the regional Great Northern Peninsula Joint Council where she became familiar with the many issues facing the whole region, and continued to advocate for the people of the Great Northern Peninsula.

On April 8, 2021, she was sworn in as Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and Registrar General.