Meet Canada's newest senators 2023
From left, Senator Marc Gold stands with senators Réjean Aucoin and René Cormier ahead of Senator Aucoin’s swearing-in ceremony on November 21, 2023.
Senator Réjean Aucoin
A practising lawyer for more than 30 years and a recognized Acadian community leader, Senator Réjean Aucoin represents Nova Scotia in the Senate of Canada. Prior to pursuing a career in law, he worked as a journalist, radio producer, writer and community development officer. Mr. Aucoin is the founder of the Association des juristes d’expression française de la Nouvelle-Écosse, as well as the founder and president of the Conseil économique de Chéticamp. He has also served as vice-president of multiple legal, Acadian and community radio organizations. Mr. Aucoin’s work and community engagement have won him numerous distinctions, including the 2017 Lawyer’s Award of the Association des juristes d’expression française de la Nouvelle-Écosse and the Community Development Award from the Nova Scotia branch of the Canadian Bar Association. He was appointed King’s Counsel in 2014.
From left, Senator Marc Gold stands with senators John M. McNair and Pierrette Ringuette ahead of Senator McNair’s swearing-in ceremony on November 21, 2023.
Senator John M. McNair
Senator John McNair is a lawyer who served as general counsel and corporate secretary to Service New Brunswick between 2009 and 2023. In this role, he was responsible for the interpretation and provision of legal advice on a wide range of issues, including the 28 public acts administered by the Crown corporation. Previously, Mr. McNair was a partner in the law firm of Gorman Nason for five years, chief of staff in the Office of the Official Opposition for New Brunswick, executive director of the New Brunswick Liberal Association (provincial and federal), and deputy Attorney General and deputy Minister of Justice for New Brunswick from 1998 to 1999. Mr. McNair is actively involved in the community. He is currently a director and treasurer of the Harrison McCain Foundation and has previously served on the boards of several non-profit organizations.
From left, Senator Marc Gold stands with senators Joan Kingston and Nancy J. Hartling ahead of Senator Kingston’s swearing-in ceremony on November 21, 2023.
Senator Joan Kingston
Senator Joan Kingston is a registered nurse and a former member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick. She recently retired from the University of New Brunswick after 10 years as nurse manager, co-manager of the Fredericton Downtown Community Health Centre, and as a lecturer and clinical instructor. Ms. Kingston previously worked as a principal secretary for government affairs in the Office of the Premier of New Brunswick, and as a senior policy advisor in the Office of the Official Opposition from 2002 to 2006. From 1995 to 1999, she served as MLA for New Maryland and led various ministerial portfolios, including labour, environment, and human rights. An active community member and health advocate, Ms. Kingston is a member of the Canadian Nurses Association, past president of the Nurses Association of New Brunswick, and was awarded a life membership in 2021. She was inducted as Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Nursing the same year.
From left, Senator Jim Quinn stands with senators Krista Ross and Marc Gold ahead of Senator Ross’s swearing-in ceremony on November 21, 2023.
Senator Krista Ross
Senator Krista Ross is a business and community leader who worked with the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce for 20 years — twelve as Chief Executive Officer and eight as general manager. From 2011 to 2023, Ms. Ross was the owner of EP Services Inc., a commercial real estate holding company. She also co-owned Kwik Kopy Design and Print Centre (now Allegra) from 1997 to 2011. Ms. Ross recently served as a commissioner with the Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission for New Brunswick and sits on various community organization and advisory boards. For her community involvement and business leadership, Ms. Ross was named to the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada’s Council of Excellence, twice named Chamber Executive of the Year in Canada, and named a Top 50 CEO for Atlantic Canada. In 2022, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.
From left, Senator Marc Gold stands with senators Rodger Cuzner and Hassan Yussuff ahead of Senator Cuzner’s swearing-in ceremony on November 7, 2023.
Senator Rodger Cuzner
After serving Nova Scotia in the House of Commons for 19 years, Senator Rodger Cuzner now represents his home province in Canada’s Upper Chamber. Before entering federal politics in 2000, he worked as a special events director with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and as recreation director for the Town of Dominion. During his six terms as a member of Parliament, he served in several roles — including parliamentary secretary to former prime minister Jean Chrétien, Chief Opposition Whip and parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. He also sat on numerous parliamentary committees, associations and groups. After retiring from politics in 2019, Mr. Cuzner worked as Senior Advisor with Rubicon Strategies in Ottawa. He was appointed Consul General of Canada in Boston in 2020 and served in this role until early 2023.
Senator Paul J. Prosper
A Mi’kmaw lawyer with more than 25 years of experience in Indigenous legal issues, Senator Paul J. Prosper represents Nova Scotia in the Upper Chamber. He is former chief of the Paqtnkek (Afton) Mi’kmaw Nation and Assembly of First Nations’ Regional Chief for Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia, where he represented the collective interests of 17 Mi’kmaw First Nations. He has also served on several boards and committees, including the boards of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat and the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority. In 2020, he was inducted into the Bertha Wilson Honour Society at the Dalhousie University Schulich School of Law in recognition of his exceptional service to the Indigenous Peoples in the legal profession.
Senator Judy A. White
Senator Judy A. White is a Mi’kmaw, a member of the Flat Bay Band in Newfoundland and Labrador and a King’s Counsel lawyer with experience in human rights, Indigenous governance and legislative matters. She served as the Assistant Deputy Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation with Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial government, and the Director of Engagement for Distinctions-based Legislation with the federal government. In 2022, she received the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the advancement of gender equality. She has also served on several boards, including as chair of the Human Rights Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador, chair of the Inuvialuit Arbitration Board and co-chair (Indigenous) of Equal Voice’s Newfoundland and Labrador chapter.
Senator Jane MacAdam
Senator Jane MacAdam served as the auditor general for Prince Edward Island for seven years until her retirement in 2020. She is a chartered professional accountant with more than 40 years of experience in legislative auditing. Before her appointment as auditor general, she spent more than 25 years as audit director in the Office of the Auditor General of P.E.I. She was chair of the executive committee for the Canadian Council of Legislative Auditors (CCOLA) in 2019 and has served on several CCOLA committees and groups. Senator MacAdam has also volunteered in her community with minor sports, home and school association, local consumers co-operatives and her church.
Senator Iris G. Petten
Born and raised in the vibrant fishing community of Port de Grave, Newfoundland and Labrador, Senator Iris G. Petten has 35 years of experience in the fishing industry. She started her career in 1984 working in the trawler division of Fishery Products International. By 1998, she was a founding shareholder and vice-president of Grand Atlantic Seafoods, a processing company wholly owned by fish harvesters. In 2000, she co-founded Ocean Choice International, a locally owned seafood processing company that now has five offshore fishing vessels and processing plants throughout the province. She served as a vice-president with the company until 2008 and remained in a consultancy role until February 2023. Senator Petten is also a lifelong community volunteer who has given her time to many organizations such as Kids Eat Smart, Easter Seals, Port De Grave Peninsula Heritage Society and the International Women’s Forum.
Related articles
Tags
Committee news
Meet Canada's newest senators 2023
From left, Senator Marc Gold stands with senators Réjean Aucoin and René Cormier ahead of Senator Aucoin’s swearing-in ceremony on November 21, 2023.
Senator Réjean Aucoin
A practising lawyer for more than 30 years and a recognized Acadian community leader, Senator Réjean Aucoin represents Nova Scotia in the Senate of Canada. Prior to pursuing a career in law, he worked as a journalist, radio producer, writer and community development officer. Mr. Aucoin is the founder of the Association des juristes d’expression française de la Nouvelle-Écosse, as well as the founder and president of the Conseil économique de Chéticamp. He has also served as vice-president of multiple legal, Acadian and community radio organizations. Mr. Aucoin’s work and community engagement have won him numerous distinctions, including the 2017 Lawyer’s Award of the Association des juristes d’expression française de la Nouvelle-Écosse and the Community Development Award from the Nova Scotia branch of the Canadian Bar Association. He was appointed King’s Counsel in 2014.
From left, Senator Marc Gold stands with senators John M. McNair and Pierrette Ringuette ahead of Senator McNair’s swearing-in ceremony on November 21, 2023.
Senator John M. McNair
Senator John McNair is a lawyer who served as general counsel and corporate secretary to Service New Brunswick between 2009 and 2023. In this role, he was responsible for the interpretation and provision of legal advice on a wide range of issues, including the 28 public acts administered by the Crown corporation. Previously, Mr. McNair was a partner in the law firm of Gorman Nason for five years, chief of staff in the Office of the Official Opposition for New Brunswick, executive director of the New Brunswick Liberal Association (provincial and federal), and deputy Attorney General and deputy Minister of Justice for New Brunswick from 1998 to 1999. Mr. McNair is actively involved in the community. He is currently a director and treasurer of the Harrison McCain Foundation and has previously served on the boards of several non-profit organizations.
From left, Senator Marc Gold stands with senators Joan Kingston and Nancy J. Hartling ahead of Senator Kingston’s swearing-in ceremony on November 21, 2023.
Senator Joan Kingston
Senator Joan Kingston is a registered nurse and a former member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick. She recently retired from the University of New Brunswick after 10 years as nurse manager, co-manager of the Fredericton Downtown Community Health Centre, and as a lecturer and clinical instructor. Ms. Kingston previously worked as a principal secretary for government affairs in the Office of the Premier of New Brunswick, and as a senior policy advisor in the Office of the Official Opposition from 2002 to 2006. From 1995 to 1999, she served as MLA for New Maryland and led various ministerial portfolios, including labour, environment, and human rights. An active community member and health advocate, Ms. Kingston is a member of the Canadian Nurses Association, past president of the Nurses Association of New Brunswick, and was awarded a life membership in 2021. She was inducted as Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Nursing the same year.
From left, Senator Jim Quinn stands with senators Krista Ross and Marc Gold ahead of Senator Ross’s swearing-in ceremony on November 21, 2023.
Senator Krista Ross
Senator Krista Ross is a business and community leader who worked with the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce for 20 years — twelve as Chief Executive Officer and eight as general manager. From 2011 to 2023, Ms. Ross was the owner of EP Services Inc., a commercial real estate holding company. She also co-owned Kwik Kopy Design and Print Centre (now Allegra) from 1997 to 2011. Ms. Ross recently served as a commissioner with the Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission for New Brunswick and sits on various community organization and advisory boards. For her community involvement and business leadership, Ms. Ross was named to the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada’s Council of Excellence, twice named Chamber Executive of the Year in Canada, and named a Top 50 CEO for Atlantic Canada. In 2022, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.
From left, Senator Marc Gold stands with senators Rodger Cuzner and Hassan Yussuff ahead of Senator Cuzner’s swearing-in ceremony on November 7, 2023.
Senator Rodger Cuzner
After serving Nova Scotia in the House of Commons for 19 years, Senator Rodger Cuzner now represents his home province in Canada’s Upper Chamber. Before entering federal politics in 2000, he worked as a special events director with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and as recreation director for the Town of Dominion. During his six terms as a member of Parliament, he served in several roles — including parliamentary secretary to former prime minister Jean Chrétien, Chief Opposition Whip and parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. He also sat on numerous parliamentary committees, associations and groups. After retiring from politics in 2019, Mr. Cuzner worked as Senior Advisor with Rubicon Strategies in Ottawa. He was appointed Consul General of Canada in Boston in 2020 and served in this role until early 2023.
Senator Paul J. Prosper
A Mi’kmaw lawyer with more than 25 years of experience in Indigenous legal issues, Senator Paul J. Prosper represents Nova Scotia in the Upper Chamber. He is former chief of the Paqtnkek (Afton) Mi’kmaw Nation and Assembly of First Nations’ Regional Chief for Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia, where he represented the collective interests of 17 Mi’kmaw First Nations. He has also served on several boards and committees, including the boards of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat and the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority. In 2020, he was inducted into the Bertha Wilson Honour Society at the Dalhousie University Schulich School of Law in recognition of his exceptional service to the Indigenous Peoples in the legal profession.
Senator Judy A. White
Senator Judy A. White is a Mi’kmaw, a member of the Flat Bay Band in Newfoundland and Labrador and a King’s Counsel lawyer with experience in human rights, Indigenous governance and legislative matters. She served as the Assistant Deputy Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation with Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial government, and the Director of Engagement for Distinctions-based Legislation with the federal government. In 2022, she received the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the advancement of gender equality. She has also served on several boards, including as chair of the Human Rights Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador, chair of the Inuvialuit Arbitration Board and co-chair (Indigenous) of Equal Voice’s Newfoundland and Labrador chapter.
Senator Jane MacAdam
Senator Jane MacAdam served as the auditor general for Prince Edward Island for seven years until her retirement in 2020. She is a chartered professional accountant with more than 40 years of experience in legislative auditing. Before her appointment as auditor general, she spent more than 25 years as audit director in the Office of the Auditor General of P.E.I. She was chair of the executive committee for the Canadian Council of Legislative Auditors (CCOLA) in 2019 and has served on several CCOLA committees and groups. Senator MacAdam has also volunteered in her community with minor sports, home and school association, local consumers co-operatives and her church.
Senator Iris G. Petten
Born and raised in the vibrant fishing community of Port de Grave, Newfoundland and Labrador, Senator Iris G. Petten has 35 years of experience in the fishing industry. She started her career in 1984 working in the trawler division of Fishery Products International. By 1998, she was a founding shareholder and vice-president of Grand Atlantic Seafoods, a processing company wholly owned by fish harvesters. In 2000, she co-founded Ocean Choice International, a locally owned seafood processing company that now has five offshore fishing vessels and processing plants throughout the province. She served as a vice-president with the company until 2008 and remained in a consultancy role until February 2023. Senator Petten is also a lifelong community volunteer who has given her time to many organizations such as Kids Eat Smart, Easter Seals, Port De Grave Peninsula Heritage Society and the International Women’s Forum.