Women's advocate Brenda Murphy named new lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick

Brenda Murphy, a long-time feminist and social-justice advocate, is the new lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick. (Saint John Women's Empowerment Network)

OTTAWA -- Brenda Murphy, a long-time feminist and social-justice advocate, is the new lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau named Murphy, a former municipal councillor from the greater Saint John area, to the post Thursday.

Murphy spent more than two decades as the head of the Saint John Women's Empowerment Network and has served on a federal advisory council on poverty, and New Brunswick's advisory council on the status of women.

Murphy replaces former lieutenant-governor Jocelyne Roy Vienneau, who died Aug. 2 after a long battle with cancer.

A delay by the federal government in naming a new lieutenant-governor created a logjam of unfinished business for the provincial government.

Murphy lives in Grand Bay-Westfield with her partner Linda Boyle.

"Ms. Murphy has decades of experience advancing gender equality and helping to lift people out of poverty," Trudeau said in a statement.

"I know she will continue to make important contributions to the future of her province and our country, and serve the people of New Brunswick well as their new lieutenant-governor," he said.

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs said he is confident Murphy, the 32nd person to serve in the role, is up to the task.

"She has already demonstrated her commitment to our province through her work aimed at ending poverty and family violence, and advancing women's equality, and I know she will continue to do so as our new lieutenant-governor," Higgs said in a statement.