CBC Global Header Navigation

 
CBCnews
REPUBLISH | EMAIL | PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK | Bookmark and Share

Alward picks ex-PC candidate as chief of staff

Last Updated: Friday, October 1, 2010 | 1:46 PM ET

CBC News
Nancy McKay, a defeated Tory candidate in Bathurst, has been named Premier-designate David Alward's new chief of staff.Nancy McKay, a defeated Tory candidate in Bathurst, has been named Premier-designate David Alward's new chief of staff. (CBC)

Premier-designate David Alward has tapped three-time defeated Bathurst Tory candidate Nancy McKay to be his chief of staff.

Alward announced the important appointment on Friday afternoon as the transition process continued to roll out in Fredericton.

"Nancy possesses excellent skills and professional experience and I am happy that she has agreed to take on this integral role within a new Progressive Conservative government," Alward in a statement.

On Thursday, the Alward Tories announced the five-member transition team that included Dennis Cochrane, the president of St. Thomas University and former PC Party leader.

McKay most recently served as the chief operating officer of the IAAF world junior track championships in Moncton.

She is also the owner of Management Dimensions Inc. and has been a physiotherapist and management consultant for 35 years.

McKay lost another tight race on Sept. 27 in the northern riding and earlier in the week had requested a review of her 75-vote defeat. There is no indication if McKay has halted the northern recount.

"I am happy to take on this challenging role within the Premier's Office. I have worked with levels of government and within my community for many years and am excited to take on this new role," McKay said in a statement.

Top advisor

The premier's chief of staff is a key position that acts as a conduit between the political arm of the premier's office and the civil service.

Bernard Theriault, a former Liberal MLA from the northeastern riding of Caraquet, was outgoing Premier Shawn Graham's chief of staff for his entire mandate.

Former premier Bernard Lord went through several chiefs of staff during his seven years.

Lord selected Barbara Winsor as a chief of staff, who was replaced by Hermel Vienneau, a member of Alward's transition team.

Lord's final chief of staff in his first mandate was David McLaughlin, an influential Tory who was known as a policy expert.

Rodney Weston, the current Saint John MP, served as Lord's top advisor for the entire second mandate.

REPUBLISH | EMAIL | PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK | Bookmark and Share

Overall Results

Overall Election Results
Party Elected Leading Total
Updated: Sep. 28, 2010, 12:49 AM ADT
PC 42 0 42
LIB 13 0 13
NDP 0 0 0
GRN 0 0 0
PA 0 0 0
IND 0 0 0

Choose a format to view results for all ridings and parties:

Launch interactive map Results tables

All results are unofficial until final ballot counts are verified by Elections New Brunswick.

New Brunswick Votes Headlines

Alward picks ex-PC candidate as chief of staff
Premier-designate David Alward has tapped three-time defeated Bathurst Tory candidate Nancy McKay to be his chief of staff.
Liberals request Saint John Harbour recount
Liberal cabinet minister Ed Doherty has requested a recount into the results of his Saint John Harbour election, which he lost by a mere nine votes on Monday.
N.B. voter turnout lowest since 1978
New Brunswick voters made history on Monday by dumping the first one-term government since Confederation but voter turnout was much lower than expected.
Alward prepares PC transition plan
The Progressive Conservatives are busy preparing for their Oct. 12 return to power as Premier-designate David Alward is naming his transition team and lining up meetings with top bureaucrats.
Bathurst PC candidate requests recount
The Progressive Conservative candidate in the northern riding of Bathurst has decided to ask for a recount after losing the seat by just 75 votes.

My Riding & Riding Talk

Have your say about what's important in your own riding. Read profiles about your candidates, get riding-related information and join the debate.

Find My Riding

List All Ridings

Top CBCNews.ca Headlines

Headlines

Tornado touchdown confirmed near Montreal
Trees were uprooted, roofs damaged and windows shattered as severe thunderstorms, and a tornado rattled through southwestern Quebec Friday night.
Everest team unable to bring down Toronto woman's body
Bad weather has hampered the recovery team that is attempting to bring down the body of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest.
Attack on Syrian villages deadliest yet, activists say
More than 90 people have been killed by regime forces in a district of central Syria, with the head of the UN team in the country confirming more than 32 children and 60 adults were killed the attack.
Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges video audio
The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday.
The risks and responsibilities of taking on Mt. Everest video audio
The deaths of six climbers last weekend on Mt. Everest, with more summits underway this weekend, fuels the debate about the risks and responsibilities of high altitude climbing.

Features

The week in pictures
PHOTO GALLERYThe week in pictures
Images in the news