The Department of Economic Development is a department in the Government of New Brunswick. It is charged with stimulating economic prosperity and global competitiveness in the province.
Created in 1944 during war time as the Department of Industry and Reconstruction, the Department has since had several name changes and has been known as the Department of Industry, Department of Economic Growth, and Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Culture.
The department was renamed Business New Brunswick on March 23, 2000 when Premier Bernard Lord restructured the New Brunswick Cabinet. It was created by subdividing the then Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Culture. It was enlarged on October 9, 2001 when it absorbed the Department of Investment and Exports which has also been originally created from Economic Development, Tourism and Culture.
On October 12, 2010, then premier David Alward named a Minister of Economic Development with responsibility for Business New Brunswick. The name of the department was officially changed to the Department of Economic Development on December 17, 2010.[1]
Since April 1, 2015, provincial Crown corporation Opportunities NB (ONB) has served as New Brunswick’s lead economic development agency mandated with fostering economic and business growth.
| Minister | Term | Administration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minister of Industry and Reconstruction | |||
| J. André Doucet | September 27, 1944 - October 8, 1952 | under John B. McNair | |
| Minister of Industry and Development | |||
| J. Roger Pichette | October 8, 1952 - July 12, 1960 | under Hugh John Flemming | |
| J. Michel Fournier | July 12, 1960 - April 22, 1963 | under Louis Robichaud | |
| Minister of Finance and Industry | |||
| see Minister of Finance | July 8, 1963 - April 1, 1968 | under Louis Robichaud | |
| Minister of Economic Growth | |||
| Robert J. Higgins | April 1, 1968 - February 11, 1970 | under Louis Robichaud | |
| H. H. Williamson | February 11, 1970 - November 12, 1970 | ||
| A. Edison Stairs | November 12, 1970 - July 18, 1972 | under Richard Hatfield | |
| Paul Creaghan | July 18, 1972 - December 3, 1974 | ||
| December 3, 1974 - December 20, 1976 | |||
| Minister of Commerce and Development | |||
| Gerald Merrithew | December 20, 1976 - October 30, 1982 | under Richard Hatfield | |
| October 30, 1982 - October 3, 1985 | |||
| Minister of Commerce and Technology | |||
| Fernand Dubé | October 3, 1985 - October 27, 1987 | under Richard Hatfield | |
| A. W. Lacey | October 27, 1987 - December 19, 1990 | under Frank McKenna | |
| Allan Maher (acting) | January 21, 1991 - October 9, 1991 | ||
| Minister of Economic Development and Tourism | |||
| Denis Losier | October 9, 1991 - August 3, 1994 | under Frank McKenna | |
| Leo McAdam | August 11, 1994 - September 26, 1995 | ||
| September 26, 1995 - February 6, 1998 | |||
| James Lockyer (acting) | February 6, 1998 - May 14, 1998 | under Ray Frenette | |
| Minister of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism | |||
| Roly MacIntyre | May 14, 1998 - June 21, 1999 | under Camille Thériault | |
| Peter Mesheau | June 21, 1999 - March 23, 2000 | under Bernard Lord | |
| Minister of Business New Brunswick | |||
| March 23, 2000 - October 9, 2001 | under Bernard Lord | ||
| Norman Betts | October 9, 2001 - June 27, 2003 | ||
| Peter Mesheau | June 27, 2003 - February 14, 2006 | ||
| Kirk MacDonald | February 14, 2006 - October 3, 2006 | ||
| Greg Byrne | October 3, 2006 - June 22, 2009 | under Shawn Graham | |
| Victor Boudreau | June 22, 2009 - October 12, 2010 | ||
| Minister of Economic Development | |||
| Paul Robichaud | October 12, 2010 – September 23, 2013 | under David Alward | |
| Bruce Fitch | September 23, 2013 - October 7, 2014 | ||
| Rick Doucet | October 7, 2014 - June 6, 2016 | under Brian Gallant[2] | |
| Francine Landry | June 6, 2016 - November 8, 2018 | ||
| Minister of Economic Development and Small Business, and minister responsible for Opportunities NB | |||
| Mary Wilson | November 9, 2018 - September 29, 2020 | under Blaine Higgs[3] | |
| Arlene Dunn | September 29, 2020 - June 27, 2023 | under Blaine Higgs | |
| Greg Turner | June 27, 2023 - Present | under Blaine Higgs | |
*Doucet was minister of industry and reconstruction until 1948 and was thereafter minister of industry and development.