Premier Appoints New Deputy Ministers

Premier Darrell Dexter, today, Nov. 24, announced the appointment of new deputy ministers for Intergovernmental Affairs/Aboriginal Affairs, Justice, and Labour and Advanced Education.

Catherine Blewett has been appointed the new deputy minister of Intergovernmental Affairs/Aboriginal Affairs.

Ms. Blewett is the former director of operations-Nova Scotia at Citizenship and Immigration Canada, director of intergovernmental relations and infrastructure-Nova Scotia at the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and director of fiscal policy at the Nova Scotia Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Ms. Blewett is also a professor teaching intergovernmental relations at Dalhousie University.

"I want to welcome Catherine to the deputy minister team," said Premier Dexter. "Catherine's background and knowledge with respect to intergovernmental affairs will be instrumental as the province enters into negotiations with the government of Canada on federal transfer payments and works to strengthen our relationship with the Aboriginal community in Nova Scotia."

Ms. Blewett's appointment is effective Dec. 5.

Judith Ferguson will become the new deputy minister of Justice. She is currently the deputy minister of Labour and Advanced Education.

Ms. Ferguson replaces Marion Tyson, who is retiring at the end of the month. She began her legal career as a member of the litigation group at the Halifax law firm of Cox Hansen. She holds a bachelor of laws degree from Dalhousie University Law School and a bachelor of arts from the University of Kings College.

"Judith has an extensive legal background having worked in private practice and as a lawyer at the departments of Justice and Labour," said Premier Dexter. "She has done a terrific job as deputy minister at Community Services and Labour and Advanced Education and is the right person to lead a large and important department like Justice."

Ms. Ferguson's appointment is effective Dec. 1.

Sandra McKenzie has been appointed the new deputy minister of Labour and Advanced Education, Office of Immigration, and Status of Women. Ms. McKenzie is currently the acting deputy minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. She will continue in this role until a permanent deputy minister is appointed in a few weeks. Jeff Conrad will be acting deputy minister at Labour and Advanced Education until Ms. McKenzie begins her new role.

"I want to congratulate Sandra on her new position," said Premier Dexter. "She has proven to be an effective leader working on some of the province's most important files like Ships Start Here and jobsHere. Her experience in workforce development will be critically important in her new role at Labour and Advanced Education."

Ms. McKenzie has extensive government experience with more than 23 years spent working for the province, mainly in the fields of adult education, workforce development and policy and planning.