On Point: Burke on new department

Minister Joan Burke, the head of the new department of Advanced Education and Skills, Persons with Disabilities and Youth Engagement, says the focus of the new department is on higher learning and the need for a more competitive work force.

"Now we are at a critical point where we need to look at, well, what are the needs of this province and how do we move forward and we know that we have many developments on our horizon and we're going to need a lot of people to fill those positions," Burketold Chris O'Neill-Yates,in an interviewon the weekly episode of On Point, CBC Television's weekly political affairs program.

Burke said much of the dismantled Department of Human Resources Labour and Employment, a department that once stood on it's own, will fall on the new department of Advanced Education and Skills.

The interview with Joan Burke can be seen by clicking on the full episode of On Point, with guest host Chris O'Neill-Yates.

Also on On Point this week, the On Point panel discusses this week's cabinet shuffle. Speaking with O'Neill-Yates are former Liberal MP Siobhan Coady, Telegram columnist Russell Wangersky and political consultant Tim Powers.

As well, O'Neill-Yates assembles a panel of women who hold seats in the legislature. Tracey Perry is the Conservative MHA for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune, Yvonne Jones is the Liberal Opposition Leader and MHA for Cartwright - L'Anse au Clair, and Gerry Rogers, is the NDP MHA for St. John's Centre.