O’LEARY
Just as he says former Health and Wellness Minister Doug Currie was a vital resource to him after he took over the file on Jan. 7, 2016, Robert Henderson is promising to offer the same kind of support to his successor.
When Premier Wade MacLauchlan juggled his cabinet Wednesday morning, Henderson got moved from Health and Wellness to Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Robert Mitchell, who, as Minister of Communities, Lands and Environment recently brought in a new Water Act and a new Municipal Government Act, takes over as Minister of Health and Wellness.
Henderson had become Canada’s fourth senior-most Minister of Health and the senior Minister of Sport, through Wellness during the 734 days he held the portfolio which he described as being like a football game: “It’s hard to get a touchdown. You just go for first downs and then pass the ball to somebody else.”
In an interview Wednesday afternoon, Henderson said he believes Mitchell will be very capable minister of the Health file and added Mitchell can count on his support, explaining they are close colleagues at the cabinet table.
As for his new responsibilities, the O’Leary-Inverness MLA said he is starting out with a depth of knowledge of Agriculture and Fisheries, having operated a farm in Freeland and having grown up around the shellfish industry. He still owns the farm property but rents out his land and buildings. He worked in Shellfish Leasing in the 1980s.
“I’m not lost when I get on a boat or an oyster dory or on a tractor. That will help me,” he said.
There are three fishing ports in his riding and Henderson said he has lots of constituents who are farmers or fishermen whom he can turn to for advice.
Henderson said his familiarity with federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Federal Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc should serve him well. He noted his father, former Egmont MP George Henderson, was parliamentary secretary to Doninic’s father, Romeo LeBlanc.
Henderson was first elected in 2007. He became Minister of Tourism following the 2011 election, but was left out of cabinet following the 2015 election. He was invited back to the cabinet table in January, 2016.
He said it is his intention to seek a fourth term when Islanders go to the polls again. “From my perspective, I’m 56 years of age. I feel I have a lot more to contribute to this province and to my career and to the riding of O’Leary-Inverness.”
New to Cabinet
Chris Palmer, Summerside-Wilmot, minister of Economic Development and Tourism
Back to the table
Richard Brown, Charlottetown-Victoria Park, returns to the cabinet table as minister of Communities, Land and Environment after having served as Government House Leader since last February
Cabinet ministers changing roles
Heath MacDonald, Cornwall-Meadowbank, moves from Minister of Economic Development and Tourism to Minister of Finance;
Jordan Brown, Charlottetown-Brighton, retains role of Minister of Education, Early Learning and Culture, and picks up additional responsibilities of Justice and Public Safety, and attorney general;
Robert Henderson, O’Leary-Inverness, moves from minister of Health and Wellness to minister of Agriculture and Fisheries; and
Robert Mitchell, Charlottetown-Sherwood, moves from minister of Communities, Land and Environment and takes over as minister of Health and Wellness.
Cabinet ministers retaining their portfolios
Premier Wade MacLauchlan, president of Executive Council, minister of Aboriginal Affairs, minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, minister of Acadian and Francophone Affairs;
Paula Biggar, minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy;
Sonny Gallant, minister of Workforce and Advance Learning;
Tina Mundy, minister of Family and Human Services; and
Pat Murphy, minister of Rural and Regional Development.
Gone from Cabinet
Allen Roach, who was Minister of Finance, and Alan McIsaac, who was Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries were dropped from cabinet. Both ministers had informed the premier they would not be re-offering in the next provincial election.