Percy Downe
The Honourable Percy E. Downe | |
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Senator from Prince Edward Island | |
Assumed office June 26, 2003 | |
Appointed by | Jean Chrétien |
8th Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister | |
In office May 2, 2001 – June 26, 2003 | |
Prime Minister | Jean Chrétien |
Preceded by | Jean Pelletier |
Succeeded by | Eddie Goldenberg |
Personal details | |
Born |
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island | July 8, 1954
Political party | Liberal |
Alma mater | University of Prince Edward Island |
Military service | |
Service/branch | Force Mobile Command |
Years of service | 1970–1972 |
Unit | The Prince Edward Island Regiment (RCAC) |
Percy E. Downe (born July 8, 1954) is a Canadian Senator and former political aide.
Since graduating from the University of Prince Edward Island in 1977, Downe has had the opportunity to serve at the provincial and federal levels of Canadian Government. From 1986 to 1993, Downe was executive assistant to the Premier of Prince Edward Island, Joe Ghiz. Downe moved to Ottawa following the Liberal victory in the 1993 federal election, and served as executive assistant to the Secretary of State for Veterans Affairs. He subsequently served as executive assistant to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and then the Minister of Labour.
He joined the Prime Minister's Office as director of appointments in 1998. He became Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's chief of staff in 2001. He was appointed to the Senate of Canada on June 26, 2003.
Downe is currently Vice-Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Joint-Chair of the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament, a member of the Senate Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, and is also on the Executive Committee of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association.
He was also formerly a member of the Senate Standing Committee on National Finance, the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs and the Senate Standing Committee on Rules, Rights and Procedures of Parliament.
On January 29, 2014, Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau announced all Liberal Senators, including Downe, were removed from the Liberal caucus, and would continue sitting as Independents.[1] According to Senate Opposition leader James Cowan, the Senators will still refer to themselves as Liberals even if they are no longer members of the parliamentary Liberal caucus.[2]
He resides in Charlottetown with his wife and two daughters.
References
- ↑ http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/justin-trudeau-removes-senators-from-liberal-caucus-1.2515273
- ↑ "Trudeau’s expulsion catches Liberal senators by surprise". Globe and Mail. January 29, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
External links
- Percy Downe – Parliament of Canada biography
- Liberal Senate Forum
- Senator Percy Downe's Website: http://www.sen/pdowne/main.htm
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by Jean Pelletier |
Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister's Office 2001–2003 |
Succeeded by Eddie Goldenberg |
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