The P.E.I. government has made changes to its senior management teams, including three new deputy ministers.
Mark Spidel was named deputy minister of Family and Human Services, Mary Lynn Kane is the new deputy minister of Communities, Land and Environment; and Brad Colwill was appointed the deputy minister of Workforce and Advanced Learning.
Spidel previously served as director of social programs for Family and Human Services and was responsible for the transformation of the Social Assistance Program, the Disability Supports Program and the Poverty Reduction Plan. He previously worked for 15 years in the health field in both Prince and Kings counties, including the role of chief information officer for Health P.E.I.
He fills the deputy position that was vacated when Craig Dalton accepted a federal appointment as Veterans’ Ombudsman.
Kane has had a 31-year law career, including 15 years as managing partner of the Prince Edward Island office of Cox and Palmer. Kane has been involved in business, health and women’s organizations and is a past deputy chair of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Capital Campaign.
Current deputy minister Michele Dorsey has accepted a position within executive council as a special adviser on social policy.
Colwill has been serving as acting deputy minister of Workforce and Advanced Learning and has overseen initiatives related to job creation, the creation of the Youth Futures Council and financial aid for post-secondary students.
He received his chartered accountant designation and began his career in public service with Innovation P.E.I. in 2009. He is a graduate of UPEI where he also assumed a teaching role in the Faculty of Business as a sessional lecturer. Colwill is a past member of Holland College board of governors, College de l’ile board of directors and the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission.