Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (New Brunswick)
The Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour is a department in the Government of New Brunswick responsible for "ensuring the New Brunswick workforce is competitive by making strategic investments in people through innovative programs, services and partnerships." The Department oversees the province's public universities and colleges, the provincial student loan system, public libraries, labour, adult learning and literacy, as well as immigration. There are a number of Acts under the Department's legislative purview, including New Brunswick's Employment Standards Act, Workers' Compensation Act and Human Rights Act. Several arms-length agencies and Crown corporations report to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick through the Minister responsible for the Department, such as the Labour and Employment Board, the Human Rights Commission, WorkSafeNB and New Brunswick's community colleges.
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Type | Line Department (civil service) |
| Jurisdiction | New Brunswick |
| Employees | 732 (as of 2022) |
| Annual budget | $662,933,000 CAD (2022-2023) |
| Minister responsible |
|
| Deputy Minister responsible |
|
| Parent department | Government of New Brunswick |
| Website | https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/post-secondary_education_training_and_labour.html |
Organizational structure
The Department, led by the Deputy Minister who acts as its chief administrator, is divided into four divisions, each of which is led by an Assistant Deputy Minister:[1]
- Labour and Strategic Services, which includes the Finance, Human Resources, Employment Standards and Policy branches, as well as the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission;
- Post-Secondary Education, which includes the Post-Secondary Relations and Student Financial Assistance branches;
- Adult Learning and Employment, which includes WorkingNB, SkilledTradesNB and the New Brunswick Public Libraries Service; and
- Immigration, which includes the Operations, Compliance and Integrity, Workforce Development and Strategic Partnerships and Integration branches.
In May 2024, the provincial government announced that the Department would be taking on responsibility for administering and enforcing New Brunswick's new Accessibility Act, which will include an Accessibility Office housed within the Department's Labour and Strategic Services Division, as well as an Accessibility Advisory Board providing advice to the Minister.[2]
History
The department was established as the Department of Post-Secondary Education and Training on February 14, 2006 when Premier Bernard Lord restructured the New Brunswick Cabinet, amalgamating the former Department of Training and Employment Development with the post-secondary education branch of the Department of Education. It was later renamed the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour by Premier Shawn Graham when he took office, as organized labour had questioned why there was no "labour" minister.
Between 2017 and 2018, responsibility for the Department was split between two ministerial portfolios: a Minister of Post-Secondary Education and a Minister of Labour, Employment and Population Growth. Following the 2018 election, in which Blaine Higgs took power, the Department returned to being run by a single minister.[3]
Ministers responsible
| Minister | Term | Administration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour | In 2018, Premier Blaine Higgs transferred responsibility for the Department back to one minister, as opposed to two. | ||
| Greg Turner | February 2, 2024 - current | under Blaine Higgs | |
| Arlene Dunn | June 23, 2023 - February 2, 2024 | under Blaine Higgs | |
| Trevor Holder | November 9, 2018 - June 23, 2023 | under Blaine Higgs | |
| Minister of Post-Secondary Education | In 2017, Premier Brian Gallant bifurcated responsibility for the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour into two ministerial portfolios: Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Minister of Labour, Employment and Population Growth | ||
| Roger Melanson | September 5, 2017 - November 9, 2018 | under Brian Gallant | |
| Minister of Labour, Employment and Population Growth | |||
| Gilles LePage | September 5, 2017 - November 9, 2018 | under Brian Gallant | |
| Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour | In 2016, Premier Shawn Graham added ‘Labour’ to the portfolio, creating the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, which continued under Premier Brian Gallant. | ||
| Donald Arseneault | June 6, 2016 - September 5, 2017 | under Brian Gallant | |
| Francine Landry | October 7, 2014 - June 6, 2016 | under Brian Gallant[4] | |
| Jody Carr | September 23, 2013 - October 7, 2014 | under David Alward | |
| Danny Soucy | October 9, 2012 - September 23, 2013 | ||
| Martine Coulombe | October 12, 2010 - October 8, 2012 | ||
| Donald Arseneault | November 12, 2008 - October 12, 2010 | under Shawn Graham | |
| Ed Doherty | October 3, 2006 - November 12, 2008 | ||
| Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Training | In 2006, Premier Bernard Lord merged the Department of Training and Employment Development with the post-secondary education branch of the Department of Education to form the Department of Post-Secondary Education and Training. | ||
| Jody Carr | February 14, 2006 - October 3, 2006 | under Bernard Lord | |
| Margaret-Ann Blaney | 2003 - February 2006 | under Bernard Lord | |
| Minister of Training and Employment Development | In 2000, the Department of Advanced Education and Labour merged with certain responsibilities from the Department of Human Resources Development (previously the Department of Family and Community Services) to create the Department of Training and Employment Development. | ||
| Norman McFarlane | 2000 - 2003 | under Bernard Lord | |
| Minister of Labour | In 1998, the words ‘Advanced Education’ and ‘Training’ disappeared from the title, but responsibility was still with this department, and the Department was still called the Department of Advanced Education and Labour. Also in 1998, responsibility for New Brunswick's community colleges shifted from the Department of Education to the Department of Advanced Education and Labour. | ||
| Norman McFarlane | 1999 - 2000 | under Bernard Lord | |
| Joan Kingston | 1998 - 1999 | under Frank McKenna | |
| Minister of Advanced Education and Labour | In 1992, the Department of Labour merged with the Department of Advanced Education and Training, creating the Department of Advanced Education and Labour. | ||
| Roland MacIntyre | 1995 - 1998 | under Frank McKenna | |
| Camille Thériault | 1994 - 1995 | under Frank McKenna | |
| Vaughn Blaney | 1992 – 1994 | under Frank McKenna | |
| Russell H. King | 1988 – 1991 | under Frank McKenna | |
| Minister of Labour | |||
| Michael McKee | 1988 – 1991 | under Frank McKenna | |
| Minister of Advanced Education and Labour | In 1986, responsibility for Human Resources was shifted from the Department of Labour and Human Resources (specifically, the Labour Market Services Branch) to the Department of Community Colleges, resulting in the Department of Labour and the Department of Advanced Education and Training. | ||
| Mable M. DeWare | 1986 – 1987 | under Richard Hatfield | |
| Minister of Labour | |||
| Joseph Mombourquette | 1986 – 1987 | under Richard Hatfield | |
| Minister of Community Colleges | |||
| Mable M. DeWare | 1983 – 1986 | under Richard Hatfield | |
| Minister of Labour and Human Resources | |||
| Joseph Mombourquette | 1983 – 1986 | under Richard Hatfield | |
| Minister of Continuing Education | |||
| Mable M. DeWare | 1981 – 1983 | under Richard Hatfield | |
| Minister of Labour and Human Resources | |||
| Joseph Mombourquette | 1981 – 1983 | under Richard Hatfield | |
| Minister of Continuing Education | |||
| Charles G. Gallagher | 1980 – 1981 | under Richard Hatfield | In 1980, the Department of Continuing Education was created by an amendment to the Executive Council Act (1980, c.20, s.1). In 1980 to 1981, the Department of Labour and Manpower annual reports had no mention of an ‘Industrial Training and Certification Branch’, but, in the 1982-1983 annual report, this branch shows up in the structure. Thus, it would appear that the Department of Continuing Education, which co-existed with the Department of Labour and Manpower at this time, was responsible for the community colleges rather than industrial training. The Legislative Library has no annual reports for the Department of Continuing Education. |
| Minister of Labour and Manpower | From 1974 to 1980, the responsibility for community colleges was under the Minister of Education’s portfolio, which were:
| ||
| Mable M. DeWare | 1979 – 1981 | under Richard Hatfield | |
| Lawrence Garvie | 1978 – 1979 | under Richard Hatfield | |
| Paul S. Creaghan | March - November 1977 | under Richard Hatfield | |
| Rodman E. Logan | 1975 – 1978 | under Richard Hatfield | |
| Minister of Labour | |||
| Rodman E. Logan | 1970 - 1975 | under Richard Hatfield | |
| Fernand Nadeau | February- November 1970 | under Richard Hatfield | |
| H. H. Williamson | 1967 – 1970 | under Louis Robichaud | |
| Kenneth J. Webber | 1965 – 1967 | under Louis Robichaud | |
References
- Government of New Brunswick, Canada (2023-08-18). "Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (Department)". www2.gnb.ca. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- Government of New Brunswick, Canada (May 17, 2024). "Accessibility legislation introduced". www2.gnb.ca. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- "REVISED / Changes to cabinet announced". Government of New Brunswick. September 5, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- Executive Council Office (7 October 2014). "Cabinet ministers announced". Province of New Brunswick. Retrieved 5 April 2015.