New Speaker in New Brunswick

The new Speaker of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly is Frank Branch. Mr. Branch, 44, was born in Bathurst, New Brunswick, and attended public and high school there. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Thomas University and a Bachelor of Education from the Université de Moncton.

A former teacher at le Collège de Bathurst and the New Brunswick Community College, Mr. Branch is now a full-time legislator. First elected to the Legislative Assembly October 26, 1970, he was one of five representatives from the constituency of Gloucester County. He was first elected representative for the new single-member riding of Nepisiguit-Chaleur on November 18, 1974. He was re-elected in 1978, 1982 and 1987.

While in the Opposition, Mr. Branch served on several select and standing committees including Mining and Renewable Resources; Fisheries; Science, Technology and the Future; Agriculture, Corporations, Economic Development, Procedure, Public Accounts, Social Development, and Veterans Affairs.

On October 27, 1987, Premier Frank McKenna designated Mr. Branch Speaker of the House of Assembly. He was formally elected at the start of the First Session of the Fifty-First Parliament.

Speaker's Reunion in British Columbia

On Thursday, December 1, 1987, John Reynolds, Speaker of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly, hosted the Second Triennial Speaker's Dinner. The Former Speakers were presented with a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association plaque by Speaker Reynolds commemorating their years of service to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.