Brenda Robertson

Brenda Mary Robertson, CM, ONB (born May 23, 1929) is a Canadian politician and former Senator. She was the first woman elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick and the first woman to become a cabinet minister in the province.[1]

The Hon.

Brenda Mary Robertson
Senator for Riverview, New Brunswick
In office
December 21, 1984 – May 23, 2004
Appointed byBrian Mulroney
MLA for Albert
In office
1967–1971
Serving with Claude D. Taylor
Preceded byClaude D. Taylor / Everett E. Newcombe
In office
1971–1974
Serving with Malcolm MacLeod
Succeeded byMalcolm MacLeod
MLA for Riverview
In office
1974–1984
Preceded byRiding created in 1974.
Succeeded byHubert Seamans
Personal details
Born (1929-05-23) May 23, 1929
Sussex, New Brunswick
Political partyConservative
Progressive Conservative (1984–2004)
Other political
affiliations		Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick
ProfessionPolitician
CabinetMinister of Social Program Reform (1982–1984)
Minister of Health (1976 & 1978–1982)
Minister of Social Services (1972–1974)
Minister of Welfare (1971–1972)
Minister of Youth (1970–1974)
CommitteesChairman, Standing Committee on Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders (1991–1996)

Born in Sussex, New Brunswick, she was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick representing the district of Albert in 1967 and was re-elected four times (1970, 1974, 1978, and 1982) representing the district of Riverview. In 1970, she was appointed Youth Minister. She was also Minister of Social Welfare, Minister of Social Services, Minister of Health, and Minister for Social Program Reform. She remained a Member until her appointment to the Senate on December 21, 1984 representing the senatorial division of Riverview, New Brunswick. She sat as a Progressive Conservative and a Conservative until her retirement on her 75th birthday in 2004.[2]

Honours

In 2004, she was made a Member of the Order of New Brunswick in honour of "her tremendous work ethic and commitment to serve New Brunswickers and her country."[1] In 2008, she was made a Member of the Order of Canada in recognition for being a "trailblazer and role model for women in politics".[3]

She received an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Mount St. Vincent University in 1973 and an honorary degree of Doctor of Social Science from University of Moncton in 1983.[1]

References
  1. "Order of New Brunswick recipients announced". August 2, 2004.
  2. Brenda Robertson – Parliament of Canada biography
  3. "Order of Canada citation".
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