Brenda Murphy
32nd lieutenant governor of New Brunswick
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brenda L. Murphy (born 1959) is a Canadian activist and politician who served as the 32nd lieutenant governor of New Brunswick, from 2019 to 2025.[3]
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Brenda Murphy | |
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Murphy in 2020 | |
| 32nd Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick | |
| In office September 8, 2019 – January 22, 2025 | |
| Monarchs | |
| Governors General | |
| Premier | |
| Preceded by | Jocelyne Roy-Vienneau |
| Succeeded by | Louise Imbeault |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1958 or 1959 (age 66–67)[1] |
| Domestic partner | Linda Boyle[2] |
Career
She formerly served as a municipal councillor in Grand Bay–Westfield and served as the executive director of the Saint John Women's Empowerment Network in Saint John, best known for her advocacy on poverty and domestic violence issues.[4] She served on a federal advisory council on poverty, and on New Brunswick's advisory council on the status of women.[2]
Lieutenant-governor
Since September 8, 2019, she has served as lieutenant governor of New Brunswick. She is both the province's first openly LGBT lieutenant governor and the first openly LGBT person to hold any viceregal office in Canada.[1]
In April 2022, the Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick ruled that her appointment as lieutenant governor violated the bilingual status of the province under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, since Murphy is unilingual English-speaking.[5] However, in May 2024, the Court of Appeal of New Brunswick overturned this judgment.[6]
On November 15, 2024, Louise Imbeault was announced as Murphy's successor.[7]
Honours and awards
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| Ribbon | Description | Post-nominal letters | Date | Notes |
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Dame of Justice of the Order of St. John | D.St.J | 2020 | [8][9] |
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Member of the Order of New Brunswick | O.N.B | 2019 | [9] Member ex officio, by virtue as Chancellor of the Order during her lieutenant governorship |
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Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal | 2022 | [9] New-Brunswick version | |
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King Charles III Coronation Medal | 2024 | [9] Canadian version |
Personal life
Murphy lives in Grand Bay–Westfield. Her partner Linda Boyle has accompanied her on official engagements, including a visit to King Charles III at Buckingham Palace in November 2022.[10]
Arms
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