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The Honourable Maurice Riel, 1983-1984

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 Maurice Riel, left his mark as a successful international lawyer and businessman. Having been politically active since his mid-20s, Mr. Riel worked as a personal advisor to the Quebec Liberal Party leader in the 1950s and was also the national Liberal Party’s chief fundraiser in Quebec. 

Appointed to the Senate in 1973, Mr. Riel sat on several standing and special committees. He was named Speaker in 1983 and retired from the Upper Chamber in 1997.  

The Speaker can choose the artist for whom they would like to sit; Mr. Riel chose Canadian painter Joyce Devlin. Born in British Columbia and based in Ontario, Ms. Devlin is known for vibrant paintings and juxtaposing abstract collage with images of landscapes. 

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