Brenda Robertson

Brenda Mary Robertson CM ONB (née Tubb,^[1] May 23, 1929 – September 23, 2020) was a Canadian politician who served as 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.^[2]

The Honourable Brenda Mary Robertson
Senator for Riverview, New Brunswick
In office December 21, 1984 – May 23, 2004
Appointed by	Brian Mulroney
MLA for Albert
In office 1967–1971 Serving with Claude D. Taylor
Preceded by	Claude D. Taylor / Everett E. Newcombe
In office 1971–1974 Serving with Malcolm MacLeod
Succeeded by	Malcolm MacLeod
MLA for Riverview
In office 1974–1984
Preceded by	Riding created in 1974.
Succeeded by	Hubert Seamans
Personal details
Born	(1929-05-23)May 23, 1929 Sussex, New Brunswick
Died	September 23, 2020(2020-09-23) (aged 91) Riverview, New Brunswick
Political party	Conservative Progressive Conservative (1984–2004)
Other political affiliations	Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick
Spouse	Wilmont "Willie" Robertson[1]
Children	3
Profession	Politician
Cabinet	Minister 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)
Committees	Chairman, Standing Committee on Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders (1991–1996)

Life

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.^[3] She died on September 23, 2020, at the age of 91.^[4]

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."^[2] In 2008, she was made a Member of the Order of Canada in recognition of being a "trailblazer and role model for women in politics".^[5]

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.^[2]

In 2023 the new bridge over the Petitcodiac River connecting Moncton and Riverview was named The Honourable Brenda Robertson Bridge.^[6]

References

1. "Honourable Brenda Mary Robertson nee Tubb 1929202". Canada Obituaries 2020. September 24, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
2. "Order of New Brunswick recipients announced". August 2, 2004. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2009.
3. Brenda Robertson – Parliament of Canada biography
4. Letterick, Kate (September 24, 2020). "Brenda Robertson, first woman in New Brunswick Legislature, cabinet dies at 91". CBC News. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
5. "Order of Canada citation".^{[permanent dead link]}
6. Rudderham, Hannah (October 5, 2023). "Bridge connecting Moncton and Riverview named after political trailblazer". CBC News. Retrieved October 18, 2023.

^[1]

1. Rudderham, Hannah (October 5, 2023). "Bridge connecting Moncton and Riverview named after political trailblazer". CBC News. Retrieved October 18, 2023.