Brian Gallant unveils his 13-person Liberal cabinet

Premier Brian Gallant did not give his 12new cabinet ministers much time to savour their new jobs before reminding them they have very difficult decisions to make in the next four years.

• FEATURE:Premier Brian Gallant's new cabinet - who's in

Gallant named a 13-person cabinet, which includes himself, on Tuesday afternoon in Fredericton.

It is the smallest executive council since Louis J. Robichauds government in 1965.

Gallant said on Monday that his smaller cabinet is a signal that his Liberal government will reduce costs and will start at the top.

Gallant addressed the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday for the first time as premier.

The new premier said he did not want to "sugar coat" how tough the decisions will be for the new Liberal government.

Its important that we face this challenge together, Gallant said in a statement on Tuesday.

I have confidence that cabinet ministers will help us meet the expectations of our new government. We have made commitments to the people of New Brunswick and it is the job of every member to work hard every day to help us keep those commitments.

Fredericton North Liberal Stephen Horsman was appointed the province's deputy premier, as well as the minister of public safety and justice. Horsman was the only Liberal elected in Fredericton.

Gallant gave a very large responsibility to Dieppe's Roger Melanson, who will be the minister of finance and transportation and infrastructure.

Melanson will need to cut the province's deficit, but also lay out a spending plan for the $900-million infrastructure program over the next six years.

Victor Boudreauwill be the province's newhealth minister. He will have an immediate political controversy as the Gallant government will soon launcha review of access to abortion services in the province.

Gallant's 13-person cabinet only has two women, Post-Secondary Education Minister Francine Landry and Social Development Minister Cathy Rogers.

Outgoing premier DavidAlward'sProgressive Conservative cabinet had 18members, including himself.

Gallant thanked Alward and his wife, Rhonda, for their service.

"Mr. Alward governed during difficult times, while we didnt always agree on the path forward I never doubted his commitment to the province," Gallant said on Tuesday.

He also specifically mentioned Green Party Leader David Coon. Coon is the first Green Party MLA ever elected in New Brunswick.

Gallant defeated Alward's Tories in the Sept. 22 election. The Liberals have 27 seats compared to 21 Tories and one seat for the Green Party.

The new cabinet:

• Premier Brian Gallant
• Deputy Premier Stephen Horsman, minister of Public Safety, Solicitor General, Minister of Justice
• Denis Landry, minister of Natural Resources
• Donald Arseneault, minister of Energy and Mines
• Rick Doucet, minister of Economic Development, Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
• Victor Boudreau, minister of Health
• Ed Doherty, Minister of Government Services, Aboriginal Affairs
• Brian Kenny, minister of Environment and Local Government
• Bill Fraser, minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture
• Roger Melanson, minister of Finance and Transportation and Infrastructure
• Francine Landry, minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour
• Cathy Rogers, minister of Social Development and Healthy and Inclusive Communities
• Serge Rouselle, minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, Attorney General