Hon. Dorothy Shephard, Minister of Social Development
Born and raised in Saint John, New Brunswick, Dorothy Shephard was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in the September 27, 2010, provincial election as the MLA for Saint John Lancaster. Ms. Shephard was re-elected on September 24, 2018 and was sworn in on November 9, 2018 as New Brunswick’s Minister of Social Development and Minister responsible for the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation. She was re-elected for a fourth term on September 14, 2020 and was sworn in as Minister of Health on September 29, 2020. In July 2022, she was again sworn in as Minister of Social Development.
As an MLA, she continues her dedication to many community driven and charitable organizations within the Saint John area.
During her first term, she was a member of several legislative committees that touch on community essentials such as business, policy, and health care. She was a member of the following committees: Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Standing Committee on Estimates (Chair), Standing Committee on Health, Select Committee on Point Lepreau, and Select Committee on Legislative Reform. In addition, she chaired the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick’s Southern Regional Caucus from September, 2010, to August, 2012. In her second term, she also served on the Public Accounts and Economic Policy Legislative Committees.
Ms. Shephard and her husband, Art, have been married for over 40 years.