Senator Celine Hervieux-Payette

Appointed to the Senate by the Rt. Honourable Jean Chrétien, since March 1995, Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette represents the province of Quebec and the Senatorial Division of Bedford. She has been appointed Leader of the Opposition in the Senate in January 2007. On October 2007, she has been appointed Lieutenant and Chief Organizer of Québec.

Senator Hervieux-Payette’s career includes experience in both the private and public sectors. A lawyer by trade, she has been a Counsellor for Fasken, Martineau, Dumoulin of Montreal from 1995 until 2006. Over the years, she worked for a number of corporations in varying capacities. This includes: serving as Vice-President of Regulatory and Legal Affairs for Fonorola, a telecommunications company (1991-95); as Vice-President of Business Ventures at the SNC Group, an engineering and manufacturing firm (1985-89), and as Director of Public Relations for Steinberg Inc. from 1978 to 1979. In her public career, Senator Hervieux-Payette was elected Member of Parliament for Montreal-Mercier, serving from 1979 to 1985. During this time, she held positions that include Minister of State for Youth (1984), Minister of State for Fitness and Amateur Sports (1983) and Parliamentary Secretary to the Solicitor General of Canada (1980-83). Prior to becoming a Parliamentarian, from 1973 to 1978 she was involved in provincial politics in Quebec, holding positions including Director of Projects in Premier Robert Bourassa’s cabinet. From 1973 to 1979 she served as President and Commissioner of the Le Gardeur School Board in Repentigny.

Giving generously of her time in the community, she has served in various capacities, including as Governor of the Montreal Young Chamber of Commerce and President of Junior Achievement for the Quebec region, and as Vice-President of the Cercle Canadien de Montreal.

Senator Hervieux-Payette holds a Law Degree from the University of Montreal (1973) and a Certificate from the Canadian Investment Dealers Association (IDA). A member of the Canadian Bar and the Quebec Bar, she is also the recipient of distinctions that include a Commemorative Medal marking the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation, and Salon de la Femme’s "Woman of the Year in Politics" award in 1984.