The new provincial Health Minister is excited to take on a “big, ominous department.”
Veteran Saint John Lancaster MLA Dorothy Shephard said getting elected an an MLA is tremendous on its own and being invited into cabinet is “an honour”.
“And then to be elevated to the Department of Health certainly gives me a bit of confidence that my premier is not only supportive but he really is confident that I can carry the load,” Shephard.
Shephard said her first cabinet post in 2012 as the Minister of Healthy and Inclusive Communities during former Premier David Alward’s term in office was a great chance to get her feet wet and serving as Social Development Minister definitely prepared her for this new role.
As for her cabinet colleagues who were shuffled out this week, Shephard said the movement of MLA’s in and out of cabinet is how politics works and those invited to participate in cabinet take on a bigger role.
“No, I don’t believe there are hard feelings. I certainly enjoy a very good relationship I think with all of my colleagues and I believe they will be supportive and I hope to support them in the work they are doing in the days ahead as well,” Shephard said.
Shephard said she is ready to tackle the tough files that come with the health portfolio including abortion access.
The Prime Minister has said the federal government will withdraw health transfers to the province for refusing to fund abortions outside of hospital settings.
Shephard said Clinic 554, which was expected to close its doors this week, has been funded by medicare for medical services there and abortion services can be accesed at three different hospitals.
“I would take this question to our medical experts: to Vitalite, to Horizon, to our medical society to try and solve the issues that are most prevalent for this community,” Shephard said.
Shephard said she she will be jumping into briefings next week where this week has been focused on orientation and meetings with the all-party COVID committee.
Shephard is excited to see more women in cabinet and the best piece of advice she can give is to lean on the experience of their colleagues.
