Brenda L. Murphy (born 1959) is a Canadian activist and politician who served as the 32nd lieutenant governor of New Brunswick, from 2019 to 2025.Alexander Quon, "Brenda Murphy officially sworn in as lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick". Global News, September 9, 2019.
Career She served as a municipal councillor in Grand Bay–Westfield and as the executive director of the Saint John Women's Empowerment Network in Saint John, best known for her advocacy on poverty and domestic violence issues."Women’s advocate Brenda Murphy named new lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick". Toronto Star, September 5, 2019. She also served on a federal advisory council on poverty, and on New Brunswick's advisory council on the status of women.
Lieutenant-governor On September 8, 2019, she began serving as lieutenant governor of New Brunswick. She was both the province's first openly LGBT lieutenant governor and the first openly LGBT person to hold any viceregal office in Canada.Bobbi-Jean Mackinnon, "Brenda Murphy 'humbled' to be appointed New Brunswick's new lieutenant-governor". CBC News New Brunswick, September 5, 2019. She stepped down at the end of her term in 2025.
In April 2022, the Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick ruled that her appointment as lieutenant governor violated the bilingual status of the province under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, since Murphy is unilingual English-speaking. In May 2024, the Court of Appeal of New Brunswick overturned this judgment. However, in June 2026 the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick must be able to perform their functions in both English and French.
Ms Murphy learned to speak French while in office. On November 15, 2024, Louise Imbeault was named as Murphy's successor.
Honours and awards +Ribbon Bar of Brenda Murphy RibbonDescriptionPost-nominal lettersDateNotes Dame of Justice of the Order of St. JohnD.St.J2020Member of the Order of New BrunswickO.N.B2019 Member ex officio, by virtue as Chancellor of the Order during her lieutenant governorshipQueen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal2022 New-Brunswick versionKing Charles III Coronation Medal2024 Canadian version
Personal life Murphy lives in Grand Bay–Westfield. Her partner Linda Boyle accompanied her on official engagements, including a visit to King Charles III at Buckingham Palace in November 2022.The Royal Family, Court Circular, 30 November 2022
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