SAINT JOHN, N.B. – One of New Brunswick’s newest cabinet ministers says she sees all aspects of her new portfolio as being important.

Saint John Lancaster MLA Dorothy Shephard was named Minister of Healthy and Inclusive Communities, a new cabinet position announced by Premier David Alward on Wednesday.

Shephard says she is grateful for the opportunity.

“This is going to be over-seeing the sports and wellness programming and it’s going to have partnerships with the private sector to address needs of seniors, young people, people living in poverty and those with disabilities.”

The government has been criticized for increasing the size of its cabinet.

Shephard says it will be up to the new cabinet to validate any and all of its positions.