Premier Names New Cabinet Office Staff

Premier John Hamm announced today, Oct. 7, that Lisa Berthier of Richmond County will be the manager of the Cape Breton Cabinet Office.

"It's important for our government to reach out to all regions and communities on Cape Breton Island," said Premier Hamm. "Lisa Berthier's background and experience at different levels of government make her ideally suited to the challenges and opportunities faced by the many Cape Bretoners our government serves through the cabinet office."

Born and raised in Petit-de-Grat, Richmond Co., Ms. Berthier holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Political Science) degree from the University of Moncton. She has worked as an assistant to two federal cabinet ministers, legislative assistant to former Nova Scotia MP Mark Muise, executive assistant to New Brunswick premier Bernard Lord when he served in opposition and protocol officer with the government of New Brunswick.

Since her return to Nova Scotia in 2000, Ms. Berthier has worked on a number of tourism and community economic development projects for Centre La Picasse and Collège de l'Acadie. For the past year, she has served as regional co-ordinator for the 2004 World Acadian Congress.

Ms. Berthier's appointment is effective Monday, Oct. 14. Her predecessor, Alfie MacLeod, left the position in May for the private sector.