P.E.I. cabinet shuffle: Tina Mundy, Robert Henderson in, Hal Perry out

Premier Wade MacLauchlan announced a cabinet shuffle at the lieutenant-governor's residence in Charlottetown Thursday, eight months into his first mandate.

Hal Perry, who was Education, Early Learning and Culture, is out of cabinet. Tina Mundy and Rob Henderson have been added.

Doug Currie moves to Education and Early Learning, a portfolio he held from January 2010 to October 2011.

During his brief tenure Currie fired the trustees of the Eastern School Board, the beginning of a process of reform culminating last year in the announcement that the currently-merged English Language School Board is being disbanded.

• School board fired by education minister
• P.E.I. English Language School Board's last stand

Currie's two previous portfolios Health and Wellness, Family and Human Services are split between the two new cabinet ministers. Henderson takes Health and Wellness and Mundy was given Family and Human Services.

Mundy was appointed to MacLauchlan's cabinet on May 20, to the education portfolio, but resigned the next day.

• Liberal Tina Mundy resigns from cabinet: cites 'financial matter'

Mundy owed the province property taxes, and, at the time,MacLauchlan said that would have compromised her position as a cabinet minister.

"I had to take a step back in May to deal with financial issues," Mundy said Thursday. Now that she has, she said, she's "ready to get to work."

"My confidence has grown over the past legislative sessions," Mundy added, saying her life experienceswill help herwith her newportfolio.

The shuffle leaves the geography of the cabinet largely unchanged. Henderson, who served as tourism minister in Robert Ghiz's last government, replaces Perry as the representative in West Prince. The addition of Mundy means both Summerside MLAs are in cabinet.

Hendersontold reportersP.E.I.'s aging population and rising health care costs aremajor challenges for the Island's health care system.

Currie said his prioritywill be focussing ondiscussions withnew educationcouncils, teachers, and parents.

"I loved my time in health but I have 20 years experience in education," said Currie, adding that he's also a parent to school-age children.

"Those of us who have the privilege to serve on executive council, all 10 of us, have serious responsibilities. We work with our colleagues in the legislature and with the professional public service to serve the public interest. We do that with the confidence and the active engagement of our Prince Edward Island community," MacLauchlan said at a news conference Thursday morning.

"As premier, I thank and congratulate all members of executive council. It is an honour to serve together."

The full list

Wade MacLauchlan

• Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General
• Minister Responsible for Intergovernmental Affairs
• Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs
• Minister Responsible for Acadian and Francophone Affairs
• Minister Responsible for Labour

RichardBrown

• Minister of Workforce and Advanced Learning

Robert Henderson

• Minister of Health and Wellness

Tina Mundy

• Minister of Family and Human Services

AlanMcIsaac

• Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries

AllenRoach

• Minister of Finance

Paula Biggar

• Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy
• Minister Responsible for the Status of Women

Robert Mitchell

• Minister of Communities, Land and Environment

Doug Currie

• Minister of Education, Early Learning and Culture

Heath MacDonald

• Minister of Economic Development and Tourism