Premier appoints loyalist as environment minister
Blaine Higgs adds new responsibility to Glen Savoie's already busy schedule ahead of election
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Premier Blaine Higgs has added to Glen Savoie’s duties by officially appointing him as minister of environment and climate change.
The announcement was made Wednesday via press release following Gary Crossman’s abrupt decision to leave cabinet early, well before the scheduled Oct. 21 provincial election. Savoie had already been doing the job in an acting capacity.
“Glen has proven to be reliable in his current roles, and will no doubt execute his new responsibilities with due care and diligence,” said the premier in the release.
A Higgs loyalist, Savoie has solidified his role as one of the province’s most powerful cabinet ministers after winning four straight elections in Saint John East, beginning in 2010. His new duties are on top of his positions of local government minister, government house leader and minister responsible for la Francophonie.
Crossman announced on Facebook in late April that he was quitting his cabinet post and his seat in Hampton. The three-term MLA and former principal said he wanted to make his health a priority.
He also took a parting shot at Higgs.
“My personal and political beliefs no longer align in many ways with the direction of our party and government,” Crossman wrote.
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