Senior government leadership changes

Press Release

April 27, 2026

Reorganization takes effect Friday

FREDERICTON  – Premier Susan Holt has announced changes to senior leadership in the provincial civil service.

“We are proud to have such an engaged and talented civil service in New Brunswick,” said Holt. “These experienced individuals will continue to be essential in advancing our top priorities of health care, affordability and education.”

Travis Bergin, formerly deputy minister of finance and treasury board, will become deputy minister responsible for government reform and modernization. He will be responsible for identifying innovative ways to deliver programs and services and finding efficiencies in government to help address the province’s financial challenges.

Amy Beswarick will take on the role of interim deputy minister of finance and treasury board, in addition to her current role of deputy minister of human resources.

Jim Mehan will become deputy minister of post-secondary education, training and labour, and Daniel Mills will take on the role of deputy minister of social development.

As Judy Wagner transitions to a new role as senior adviser to the clerk of the executive council before her upcoming retirement, her responsibilities as secretary to cabinet and deputy minister responsible for women and gender equity will transition to the clerk of the executive council.

“We extend our sincere thanks to Judy for her many years of dedicated public service and her outstanding leadership in key roles,” said Holt. “Her insight, commitment and steady guidance have made a lasting impact, and she will be missed.”

All changes are effective May 1.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a complete list of deputy ministers, deputy heads and presidents of Part I Crown corporations (* denotes a change or addition):

·         Katie Davey, chief of staff and principal secretary, Office of the Premier

·         Joel Dickinson*, clerk of the Executive Council, head of the public service and deputy minister responsible for Women and Gender Equity

·         Brendan Langille, deputy minister of Communications and Marketing, Executive Council Office

·         Ryan Donaghy, deputy minister of Education and Early Childhood Development (anglophone sector)

·         Julie Mason, deputy minister of Education and Early Childhood Development (francophone sector)

·         Charbel Awad, deputy minister of Environment and Climate Change and deputy minister of Local Government

·         Travis Bergin*, deputy minister responsible for Government Reform and Modernization, Executive Council Office

·         Eric Beaulieu, deputy minister of Health

·         Michael Comeau, deputy minister of Justice and Public Safety and deputy attorney general

·         Cade Libby, deputy minister of Natural Resources

·         Kathy Brewer-Dalton, deputy minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries

·         Jeff Hoyt, deputy minister of Energy

·         Kelly Cain, deputy minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

·         Martha O’Sullivan, deputy minister of Indigenous Affairs

·         Daniel Mills*, deputy minister of Social Development

·         Renée Laforest, CEO of Service New Brunswick

·         Jim Mehan*, deputy minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

·         Rob Kelly, president of the Regional Development Corporation

·         François Boutot, CEO of the New Brunswick Housing Corporation

·         Charles Ayles*, deputy minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

·         Traci Simmons, deputy minister responsible for Economic Development and Small Business and CEO of Opportunities NB

·         Hélène Bouchard, deputy minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture and deputy minister responsible for Official Languages

·         Amy Beswarick*, deputy minister of Human Resources and deputy minister of Finance and Treasury Board (interim)

Media Contact(s)

Corporate communications, Executive Council Office, media-medias@gnb.ca.

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