ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- The Newfoundland and Labrador government lost two more cabinet members Thursday after the justice and finance ministers said they were stepping down.
Charlene Johnson, who represents the riding of Trinity-Bay de Verde, said she is resigning as finance minister as of Friday to join her husband in Brunei where he is working.
"We made this decision well over a year ago and I've been putting it off and now it's time to go," she said at a news conference with Premier Tom Marshall at her side.
"I'm off to do the best job in the world and that's to be a stay-at-home mom."
Johnson was the youngest woman elected to the provincial legislature when she entered public life in October 2003. Marshall praised her work as finance minister, recognizing her for successfully concluding pension talks with public sector unions.
"She took the lead on it and did just phenomenal, outstanding work on it," he said.
Justice Minister Terry French also announced Thursday that he will step down later this month after 12 years as a legislature member.
French, who represents the district of Conception Bay South, said he will resign following the Progressive Conservative leadership convention on Sept. 13.
He was first elected in a 2002 byelection and has held several cabinet portfolios under the Tory government, including tourism and environment.
Former environment minister Joan Shea quit politics in June, and Jerome Kennedy, who served as the previous finance minister, left in October of last year.
