Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Trevor Holder is defending the controversial appointment of Kevin Cormier as executive director of the New Brunswick Public Library Service.

But he won't say why Cormier was hired or what makes him qualified to run the province's 64 public libraries.

"I have never publicly talked about any civil servant's qualifications and I'm not about to start now," Holder told reporters during a conference call on Wednesday.

Holder said it was unprecedented for a minister to be "wading into an individual human resource issue," but he acknowledged "there seems to be a whole lot of questions swirling around" and he wanted to "explain the process and everyone's involvement in it."

Cormier's apparent lack of library training or experience has become the focus of a widespread public discussion since CBC News reported on his Feb. 18 appointment to the position that pays $114,000 annually.

The job posting listed "essential qualifications" as a master's degree in library and/or information studies from an American Library Association-accredited program, as well as a minimum of eight years of "progressively responsible related work experience."

A combination of education, training and experience may be considered, it said.

Cormier's LinkedIn profile lists his education as a single year at York University's Schulich School of Business in Toronto (2005) and two years at the Moncton Flight College (1998-2000).

He got his start in the public service in 2004 under the former Bernard Lord government as manager of marketing and communications for Service New Brunswick. In 2008, he moved to the Department of Tourism, spending three years as manager of advertising and publications before moving on to become CEO of Kings Landing historical settlement near Fredericton for seven years. He spent the past year at the government's Executive Council Office.

He was appointed the head of the library service through the Corporate Talent Management Program, which provides current and aspiring executives in the upper pay bands with opportunities to further develop their competencies within and/or outside their current department.

What I would suggest is that New Brunswickers give this individual the time to prove himself. - Trevor Holder, labour minister

Holder declined to discuss the qualifications of the 11 people who applied for the job when it was initially posted as an open competition.

He also declined to say whether he thinks the qualifications listed in the job posting are necessary.

"What I will say is I do think that [the government] may potentially need to look at how we word job applications overall, period, so that we're very clear in what we want as a province and what we need to get there."

Asked whether public confidence might be increased by a more transparent government hiring and appointment process, Holder agreed it's something that could be reviewed.

"Maybe there are ways that this can teach us how we move forward and make the hiring process better."

Holder said he understands some people "have concerns" about the appointment.

Trevor Holder, who was tourism minister in 2012, when he is pictured here with Kevin Cormier (left), then-executive director of Kings Landing and York MLA Carl Urquhart, said he was not involved in Cormier's appointment as the head of the public library service. (Government of New Brunswick)

But he has "complete confidence" the proper process was followed and that there was no political patronage involved "whatsoever."

"I want to make myself crystal clear on this, I never had any knowledge of this person's hiring until such time as my deputy minister informed me that he had the job," he told reporters, who were limited to two questions each during the conference call.

"If anybody can prove one way or the other that myself, Premier [Blaine] Higgs or the PC Party of New Brunswick had any involvement in this hiring, they better cough it up, because it doesn't exist."

Deputy ministers are responsible for the hiring of civil servants, said Holder. The deputy minister who appointed Comier — Sadie Perron — is no longer with the department. She was appointed interim CEO of Opportunities New Brunswick, effective March 1.

Kevin Cormier, the executive director of the New Brunswick Public Library Service, previously served seven years as the chief executive officer of Kings Landing Corporation. (Kevin Cormier/Facebook)

Perron did not agree to an interview Wednesday, but emailed a brief statement. Cormier has the "qualifications and skills we are looking for at this time, including leadership abilities, management experience, a results-oriented collaborative approach with partners and stakeholders, and creative thinking," she said.

Perron did not address concerns that have been raised about the discrepancy between the "essential qualifications" listed in the open competition and Cormier's public resume, but said she's confident the library service will "thrive" under his leadership.

Cormier has not responded to multiple requests for an interview.

The minister said he will be "watching this situation very closely."

"What I would suggest is that New Brunswickers give this individual the time to prove himself."

On Wednesday, Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers repeated his party's call for Cormier's appointment to be rescinded.

Union 'condemns' appointment

Earlier this week, the Association of University of New Brunswick Teachers, the largest union representing librarians in the province, issued a statement, saying it "condemns" the appointment of a non-librarian as the head of the provincial library service.

The union, which represents academic librarians, not the public library service librarians Cormier is now in charge of, contends "the education and expertise of professional librarians is fundamental to a strong public library system that serves the public good,"

Sadie Perron, as former deputy minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, appointed Kevin Cormier through the Corporate Talent Management Program. (Government of New Brunswick)

Having librarians in leadership positions is "essential," it said, because librarians know the key issues facing public libraries and can advocate to political leaders who do not always understand the value of public libraries.

The AUNBT urged the government to "reconsider" its decision.

Last week, the Atlantic Provinces Library Association issued an open letter to Holder expressing "concerns" and seeking clarification of Cormier's qualifications.

The outgoing chair of the New Brunswick Public Libraries Board, René Ephestion, who only learned of Cormier's appointment through a CBC report, also expressed concerns and requested an immediate meeting to discuss his "intentions."

Ephestion, a former Liberal leadership candidate, said he feared Cormier was brought in to "cut more."

The minister said there are no plans to make any major changes right now.

"We're looking at ways to enhance the library system to make it better and stronger for the people in New Brunswick," said Holder.

He said his department will make sure the necessary funding and policies are in place to ensure a vibrant system.