Barry W. Hicken

HICKEN, BARRY W„ farmer and mechanic; b. 8 August 1946 in Pembroke, son of Harold M. Hicken and Reta Irving; m. 25 November 1972 Louise Alice McHerron, and they had two children, Charlene Dawn and Jason Barry; Presbyterian. Hicken, a Liberal, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1986 for 5th Kings. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1989 and 1993. He was defeated in the general election of 1982. He was defeated in the general election of 1996, in the new electoral district of Murray River-Gaspereaux. On 22 February 1988, Hicken was appointed Deputy Speaker. He held the positions of Minister of Energy and Forestry and Minister Responsible for the Energy Corporation from 1989 to 1991. On 14 November 1991, Hicken was appointed Minister of Community and Cultural Af fairs and Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. In January 1993 he was appointed Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs. He served in these Ministries until April 1993. On 15 April 1993, he was named Minister of Environmental Resources. Hicken served on numerous legislative committees, including agriculture, energy and forestry, fisheries, industry, tourism, and labour. He also chaired several committees, including the Special Committee on Legislative Proposals, the Special Committee on the Meech Lake Accord, and the Special Committee on the Constitution of Canada. Flicken received his early education at the Pembroke School. Later he attended Montague Regional High School and Holland College. Hicken worked as a mechanic at Wendell Graham Limited from 1980 to 1986. He is a farmer in the Gaspereaux area. Hicken is a member of St. Andrew's Masonic Lodge in Montague and the Murray Harbour North Presbyterian Church. Barry Hicken and his wife live in Gaspereaux. Louise Hicken is the daughter of Lawrence and Cephenia McHerron.