On January 15, 2002, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced the appointment of Robert G. Thibault, as Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

Robert G. Thibault was first elected to the House of Commons in November, 2000. Before becoming Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, he served as Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency). He has been active in municipal government, serving the District of Argyle as Clerk-Treasurer, and the region of Clare, Nova Scotia as an elected municipal councillor.

Mr. Thibault has also been an involved member of his community. He was Chair of the Board of Governors of Université Sainte-Anne, and is a past president of a number of associations, including the Association of Municipal Administrators, the Acadian Federation of Nova Scotia and the Clare Chamber of Commerce. He has been a small business owner, and has worked as an economic advisor and regional coordinator for the Acadian Federation of Nova Scotia. He is the Regional Minister for Nova Scotia.