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The Honourable Guy Charbonneau, 1984-1993

The Senate commissions a portrait of every Speaker in recognition of the procedural and protocol importance of that role — a tradition that predates Confederation.     

The subject of this portrait, the Honourable Guy Charbonneau, was one of the longest-serving Speakers. Before his appointment to the Senate, he was a respected businessman and political fundraiser.

Appointed to the Senate in 1979, Mr. Charbonneau was named Speaker in 1984. During his nearly 10 years as Speaker, he presided over a number of high-profile debates — notably the acrimonious debate over the proposed Goods and Services Tax, after which the Rules of the Senate were amended to, among other things, expand the Speaker’s authority.

The Speaker can choose the artist for whom they would like to sit; Mr. Charbonneau chose English painter Brenda Bury. An accomplished portraitist, Ms. Bury has painted former Canadian prime minister John Diefenbaker, former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher and members of the Royal Family.

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