Patrick Brazeau named to Senate

This article is the continuation of a news release issued today by Prime Minister's Office.

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************************* New Brunswick

Percy Mockler has been a long-time member of the legislative assembly in the New Brunswick legislature since he was first elected in 1982. During his time in the provincial legislature, Mr. Mockler served in a number of portfolio's including minister of wellness, culture and sport; solicitor general; and minister of human resources development and housing. Mr. Mockler is a former advisory member for trade opportunities strategy with the federal Department of External Affairs. He has also been active in community affairs as treasurer of local fish and wildlife associations, a director of the Caisse Populaire, and as a member and chair of his local school board.

John D. Wallace was born in Rothesay, New Brunswick and had a distinguished law career in St. John. Most recently, he served for seven years as partner/ counsel at the law firm of Stewart McKelvey. Previously he had been corporate counsel for Irving Oil Limited and a partner at Palmer, O’Connell, Leger, Turnbull and Turnbull. Mr. Wallace continued his community service after retiring from law. He is a member of the University of New Brunswick board of governors, the St. John Imperial Theatre capital campaign cabinet and the New Brunswick Symphony steering committee. Mr. Wallace was the Telegraph-Journal 'Male Newsmaker of the Year' in 2002 and became a recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2003.

Quebec

Patrick Brazeau is a member of the Algonquin Nation and a citizen of the Indian reserve of Kitigan Zibi, near Maniwaki, Quebec. A champion of the rights of Aboriginals, in 2006, he was chosen as the national chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. He used this forum to promote the economic and social development of Aboriginals, especially those who live off-reserve. Mr. Brazeau has a black belt in karate and was a member of the naval reserve on HMCS Carleton, in Ottawa.

Suzanne Fortin-Duplessis was born in Chicoutimi and studied at the École des Beaux-arts de Québec and at Laval University, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in visual arts and a certificate in college education. She was a teacher at the regional school board Louis-Fréchette. In 1981, she became the first woman to be elected to the municipal council of the City of Sainte-Foy. She became active in federal politics and was elected as the MP for the riding of Louis-Hébert from 1984 to 1993. Ms. Fortin-Duplessis has always been involved in the community. During her career, she was a member of the board of the Alzheimer Society and the Fondation de l’Opéra de Québec, and she is a member of the Laval hospital and the Saint-Sacrement hospital foundations. More recently, she was a volunteer for the International Eucharistic Congress.

Leo Housakos was born in Montreal and studied at Cégep Vanier and at McGill University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in arts, with a major in political science and history. In 1993, he co-founded the Montreal Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and is currently a director of Via Rail Canada. Throughout his business career he has held important management positions in several companies, including Quadvision Consultants and Terrau. Mr. Housakos is married and is the father of two children.

Michel Rivard studied in Quebec City and spent the most part of his professional life in public administration. He was president of the Corporation des maîtres entrepreneurs en réfrigération du Québec, then mayor of Beauport from 1980 to 1984. Mr. Rivard was director of a number of organizations, and was president of the executive committee of the Communauté Urbaine de Québec. In 1994, he was elected at the Assemblée nationale as the MNA for Limoilou. He was regional delegate for the region of Quebec and parliamentary assistant of the minister responsible for the region of Quebec.

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