Senator Hervieux-Payette’s Biography

Place of Birth: L’Assomption, Quebec.

Education: Law Degree, Université de Montréal (1973), and Certificate from the Canadian Investment Dealers Association (IDA).

Profession: Lawyer, member of the Canadian Bar and Quebec Bar

Parliamentary Service: Appointed to the Senate on March 21, 2021 and appointed Leader of the Opposition on January 18, 2021 to November 03, 2008. On October 2007, she has been appointed Lieutenant and Chief Organizer of Québec until November 2008. Elected in 1979, Member for Montréal-Mercier in the House of Commons. From 1979 to 1985, served as, Parliamentary Secretary to the Solicitor General of Canada, Minister of State for Fitness and Amateur Sports and Minister of State for Youth.

Other Appointments: Financial Women’s Association Quebec (2006) social involvement award, for a member who has distinguished herself by her involvement in society, be it in the community, sporting or cultural arenas or in advancing the status of women in Quebec. Decorated in 2006 with Colombia’s Congressional Order of the Great Gold Cross for her “intellectual and moral merits“. Co-chair (2006 as present) Life Sciences Technopole - McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). President (2006) International Flora Montreal. Honorary Patron 2004 - Canadian Foundation for Women’s Health. Governor 2004- Women’s Leadership Institute - Auburn University - Alabama. Since 1996, she is the President of the Canada-Mexico Friendship group. Founding member and President of the Interparliamentary Forum of the Americas ( 2001-2006 ).  1997 - 2008 : AXA Canada Inc., Member of the Board.  In 2001-2002, she was President of the Canadien Club of Montreal. She was Vice-President of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2001). From 1997 to 2004, Chair person for Innovitech Inc. In 1993, recipient of the Commemorative medal for the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada. Chair of the Standing Committee on Policy Development of the Liberal Party of Canada (1978-1994). Named Woman of the Year in politics in 1984. Member of FRAPPE (women’s association), member of the International Women’s Forum, member of the board of “Les Grands Ballets Canadiens”. Counsellor for Fasken Martineau DuMoulin of Montreal ( 1995 - 2007 ). Active in organizations in the economic and international relations sectors. Member of various boards of Canadian companies. Governor of the Montreal Young Chamber of Commerce and President of Junior Achievement, Quebec region. From 1991 to 1995, Vice-President, Regulatory and Legal Affairs for Fonorola Inc. (telecommunications company). In 1990, Executive Vice-President and Associate at Donancy Ltd. In 1991, Vice-President, Public Affairs, Medisys. From 1985 to 1989, Vice-President, Business Ventures at the SNC Group (engineering and manufacturing firm). From 1978 to 1979, Director of Public Relations for Steinberg Inc. From 1973 to 1979, President and Commissioner of the Le Gardeur School Board in Repentigny. From 1973 to 1978, Director of Projects in Premier Bourassa’s Cabinet, Legislative Assistant in the Office of the Minister of Social Affairs, Special Assistant to the Deputy Minister of Labour and Manpower.

Current Member of the following Senate committee(s):

Banking, Trade and Commerce

Scrutiny of Regulations (Joint)

Selection Committee