Skip to main content

'A great New Brunswicker:' former premier Ray Frenette dead at 83

French President Jacques Chirac, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, New Brunswick Premier Raymond Frenette,
French President Jacques Chirac shares a laugh with Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and New Brunswick Premier Raymond Frenette at the conclusion of the Francophonie summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Nov. 16, 1997. File photo by The Canadian Press

Support strong Canadian climate journalism for 2025

Help us raise $150,000 by December 31. Can we count on your support?
Goal: $150k
$32k

The 28th premier of New Brunswick has died, according to a press release issued Saturday by the provincial government.

Ray Frenette represented the Moncton East riding as a Liberal MLA for 25 years and briefly served as premier between 1997 and 1998 — after Frank McKenna stepped down and before Camille Theriault took the post.

After resigning from the legislature, Frenette was appointed by former prime minister Jean Chretien as director of Atomic Energy Canada, where he later served as chair.

In the government's release, New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant says Frenette acted as a mentor and adviser to him when he was first considering getting into public service.

He added: "We've lost a great New Brunswicker."

The cause of death has not been released.

Comments