Margaret-Ann
Blaney

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, she and her husband started a small business, the Atlantic Veterinary Hospital in Rothesay. She was active in the business as co-owner/ general manager until June 1999.

Ms. Blaney was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in the June 7, 1999, provincial election as the member for Saint John-Kings. She was Minister of Transportation from June 1999 until October 2001. She was appointed Minister responsible for the Status of Women on June 21, 1999 -- a position she held for seven years. She was appointed Minister of Public Safety in October 2001. She was appointed Minister of Training and Employment Development and Labour upon her re-election in 2003.

She was re-elected on September 18, 2006, to the new electoral district of Rothesay. She was the official Opposition critic for the Department of Health, the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, the Executive Council and women's issues.

She was re-elected to the 57th Legislature in the provincial election held September 27, 2010. On October 12, 2010 she was sworn in as a member of the Executive Council and appointed Minister of Environment, Minister Responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women and Minister Responsible for Communications New Brunswick.

As an active member, Ms. Blaney has been involved with a number of community organizations. These include: The Kidney New Brunswick Foundation Campaign, the Saint John Aquatic Centre, the Rotary Club, the Children's Miracle Network Telethon, the Joshua Group, the Daffodil Ball-Canadian Cancer Society, the Saint John Community Loan Fund, Community Living Association and the St. Joseph’s Hospital Dragon Boat Race. She was honorary chair of First Steps and honorary chair of the 2005 CIBC Run for the Cure. Blaney received a national award from the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation for the work she has done on the issue of violence against women, and she has been named a cabinet member of the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation.

Ms. Blaney has a son and a daughter and she lives in Rothesay.