Senator Charlie Watt

Appointed to the Senate by the late former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Senator Charlie Watt represents the province of Quebec and the Senatorial Division of Inkerman. He has served in the Senate of Canada since January 16, 1984.

He is currently a Member of the Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. Over the years he has been involved with Parliamentary groups including the Canada-Russia Parliamentary Group and the Canada-Mexico Parliamentary Association. His particular area of interest and specialization is Aboriginal issues. Special interests and pastimes include hunting, fishing, and raising and training Husky dog teams.

Senator Watt’s varied career background includes experience in both the public and private sectors. He is a hunter and businessman. His private career includes serving as: a Northern officer with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs (1969-79); Founding President of the Northern Quebec Inuit Association (1972-78); Founding President of Makivik Corporation (1978-82), for which he also served as Treasurer (1987-88) and President (1988-94); President of Air Inuit Ltd. (1988-94). He has also served as Chairman of a number of companies, including Seaku Fisheries (1988-94), Uttuulik Leasing (1988-94) and Kigaq Travel (1988-94).

His public career includes serving as Co-Chair of the Inuit Committee on National Issues (1979-84), Member of the Nunavik Constitutional Committee (1985-95) and as a Board Member of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada (1988-94).

An Officer of the National Order of Quebec (1994), Senator Watt is also the 1997 recipient of the National Aboriginal Achievement Award.

Senator Watt was educated at schools in: Kuujjuaq (Fort Chimo), Quebec; Yellowknife; Kingston; Ottawa; Montreal; Halifax, and Brandon.

He is married to Ida (Epoo), and father to Donald, Robert, Lisa, Billy, and Charlene.

Senator Watt was born in Kuujjuaq (Fort Chimo), Quebec on June 29, 1944.