The Department of Economic Development is a department in the Government of New Brunswick. It is charged with stimulating economic prosperity and global competitiveness in the province.
Created in 1944 during war time as the Department of Industry and Reconstruction, the Department has since had several name changes and has been known as the Department of Industry, Department of Economic Growth, and Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Culture.
The department was renamed Business New Brunswick on March 23, 2000 when Premier Bernard Lord restructured the New Brunswick Cabinet. It was created by subdividing the then Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Culture. It was enlarged on October 9, 2001 when it absorbed the Department of Investment and Exports which has also been originally created from Economic Development, Tourism and Culture.
On October 12, 2010, the then premier David Alward named a Minister of Economic Development with responsibility for Business New Brunswick. The name of the department was officially changed to the Department of Economic Development on December 17, 2010.An Act to Amend the Executive Council Act
Since April 1, 2015, provincial Crown corporation Opportunities NB (ONB) has served as New Brunswick’s lead economic development agency mandated with fostering economic and business growth.
Ministers MinisterTermAdministrationMinister of Industry and ReconstructionJ. André Doucet*September 27, 1944 - October 8, 1952under John B. McNairMinister of Industry and DevelopmentJ. Roger PichetteOctober 8, 1952 - July 12, 1960under Hugh John FlemmingJ. Michel FournierJuly 12, 1960 - April 22, 1963under Louis RobichaudMinister of Finance and Industrysee Minister of FinanceJuly 8, 1963 - April 1, 1968under Louis RobichaudMinister of Economic GrowthRobert J. HigginsApril 1, 1968 - February 11, 1970under Louis RobichaudH. H. WilliamsonFebruary 11, 1970 - November 12, 1970A. Edison StairsNovember 12, 1970 - July 18, 1972under Richard HatfieldPaul CreaghanJuly 18, 1972 - December 3, 1974Lawrence Garvie December 3, 1974 - December 20, 1976Minister of Commerce and DevelopmentGerald MerrithewDecember 20, 1976 - October 30, 1982under Richard HatfieldPaul Dawson October 30, 1982 - October 3, 1985Minister of Commerce and TechnologyFernand DubéOctober 3, 1985 - October 27, 1987under Richard HatfieldA. W. LaceyOctober 27, 1987 - December 19, 1990under Frank McKennaAllan Maher (acting) January 21, 1991 - October 9, 1991Minister of Economic Development and TourismDenis LosierOctober 9, 1991 - August 3, 1994under Frank McKennaLeo McAdamAugust 11, 1994 - September 26, 1995 Camille Thériault September 26, 1995 - February 6, 1998James Lockyer (acting) February 6, 1998 - May 14, 1998under Ray FrenetteMinister of Economic Development, Culture and TourismRoly MacIntyreMay 14, 1998 - June 21, 1999 under Camille ThériaultPeter MesheauJune 21, 1999 - March 23, 2000under Bernard LordMinister of Business New BrunswickJoan MacAlpine March 23, 2000 - October 9, 2001under Bernard LordNorman BettsOctober 9, 2001 - June 27, 2003 Peter MesheauJune 27, 2003 - February 14, 2006 Kirk MacDonaldFebruary 14, 2006 - October 3, 2006Greg ByrneOctober 3, 2006 - June 22, 2009under Shawn GrahamVictor BoudreauJune 22, 2009 - October 12, 2010Minister of Economic DevelopmentPaul RobichaudOctober 12, 2010 – September 23, 2013under David AlwardBruce FitchSeptember 23, 2013 - October 7, 2014 Rick DoucetOctober 7, 2014 - June 6, 2016under Brian GallantFrancine LandryJune 6, 2016 - November 8, 2018Minister of Economic Development and Small Business, and minister responsible for Opportunities NBMary WilsonNovember 9, 2018 - September 29, 2020under Blaine HiggsArlene DunnSeptember 29, 2020 - June 27, 2023under Blaine HiggsGreg TurnerJune 27, 2023 - November 2, 2024under Blaine HiggsLuke RandallNovember 2, 2024 - Presentunder Susan Holt
*Doucet was minister of industry and reconstruction until 1948 and was thereafter minister of industry and development.
References Opportunities NB Government of New Brunswick, list of Department Ministers 1944-2006 (PDF file)