Margaret-Ann Blaney

MLA, Rothesay
Critic - Health
Critic - Advisory Council on the Status of Women
Critic - Executive Council, Women’s Issues

Margaret-Ann Blaney was born in Corner Brook, Nfld. She is an honours graduate of Memorial University where she received her degree and did post-graduate work in social work and psychology.

Ms. Blaney has had a longstanding interest in politics. From 1982 to 1993 she worked as a political reporter for a number of private radio and television stations, including CTV and CBC.

In 1994, Ms. Blaney and her husband started their own small business, the Atlantic Veterinary Hospital in Rothesay, N.B. She was active in the business as co-owner / general manager until June 1999.

Ms. Blaney is a Progressive Conservative MLA. She was first elected to the legislature as the MLA for Saint John-Kings on June 7, 1999. She was the Minister of Transportation from June 1999 until October 2001. She was appointed Minister responsible for the Status of Women on June 21, 1999 and Minister of Public Safety in October 2001.

She was re-elected as member for Saint John-Kings on June 9, 2003, and sworn in as Minister of Training and Employment Development on June 27, 2003 where she continued until February 14, 2006.

She was re-elected in the provincial election held September 18, 2006, and she is the first member to represent the new electoral district of Rothesay.

As an active member of her community, Ms. Blaney chaired the 1998 Kidney Foundation Campaign, served on the board of directors for the Aquatic Center, and was an active member of the Saint John-Kings Rotary as well as being a long time volunteer with the Children's Miracle Network Telethon.

Ms. Blaney and her husband have a son and a daughter and reside in Rothesay, N.B.