Upper House Watch: Five new senators headed for the Red Chamber

Hot off the PMO presses comes word that five new sober second thinkers will be joining the Conservative ranks in the Upper House: 

Prime Minister Harper Announces THE APPOINTMENT OF FIVE NEW SENATORS  

 OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the appointments of Diane Bellemare, Tobias C. Enverga Jr., Thanh Hai Ngo, Thomas Johnson McInnis and Paul E. McIntyre to the Senate.

"It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these five distinguished Canadians to the Senate of Canada," said Prime Minister Harper. "Their broad range of experience and dedication to community will further strengthen the institution and benefit the entire country."

Diane Bellemare fills a vacancy in Quebec, Tobias C. Enverga Jr. and Thanh Hai Ngo vacancies in Ontario, Thomas Johnson McInnis a vacancy in Nova Scotia and Paul E. McIntyre a vacancy in New Brunswick.

All new appointees have pledged to support the Government in its efforts to make the Senate more democratic and accountable, including legislation to limit the term lengths of senators and encouraging the provinces and territories to establish a democratic process to select nominees for appointment to the Senate.

"I look forward to working with these talented individuals," added the Prime Minister. "Their skills and experience will help to further advance our shared goals of jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for all Canadians."

A bit of background on the quintet of newly ascended parliamentarians, courtesy of PMO:

Diane Bellemare

Diane Bellemare is an economist from Quebec. She holds a BA in Economics from the Université de Montréal, a Master's in Economics from Ontario's Western University and a PhD in Economics from McGill University.

Over the course of her career, Ms. Bellemare has been an Associate Fellow at the Centre de recherche interuniversitaire CIRANO, an economic advisor in the office of the Leader of the Official Opposition as well as First Vice President, Chief Economist and Vice President, Research, for the Conseil du patronat du Québec. She has also been a consultant, an honorary professor and a full professor at the Université du Québec à Montréal, Chair of the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail and Chair and Director General of the Société Québécoise de développement de la main-d'œuvre. She was also a member of the Economic Council of Canada from 1984 to 1990.

During her career, Ms. Bellemare has published several books, as well as some 40 scientific articles and works. She also ran in the 2003 provincial elections for the Action Démocratique du Québec, as well as in a by-election and a general election in 2008 for the same party.

Her Senate appointment is effective immediately.

Tobias C. Enverga Jr.

Tobias C. Enverga Jr. is a project manager at the Bank of Montreal, where he has worked for more than 30 years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Letran College in the Philippines, a Masters Certificate in Project Management from the Schulich School of Business at York University, and a Computer Studies Certificate from Centennial College.

Mr. Enverga has been involved in various organizations and a number of charitable projects. He is the first Filipino-Canadian elected in the City of Toronto, and serves as Trustee to the Toronto Catholic District School Board. He is Co-Chair of the Asian Heritage Month Celebration for the Greater Toronto Area and was previously a Director of the Canadian Multicultural Council - Asians in Ontario.  He is also the founder of the Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation and a former president of the Philippine Independence Day Council.  In 2012, Mr. Enverga was the recipient of the Queen's 60th Diamond Jubilee medal of distinction.

Mr. Enverga resides in Toronto, Ontario .

His Senate appointment is effective immediately.

Thanh Hai Ngo

Thanh Hai Ngo was appointed Citizenship Judge for Ottawa in December 2007. Judge Ngo was educated in France and Canada, receiving a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), from the University of Paris - la Sorbonne, and a Bachelor and a Master of Education from the University of Ottawa.

Prior to his appointment as Citizenship Judge, Mr. Ngo was Chairperson of the Employment Insurance Board of Referees in Ottawa. He has had a distinguished career in education both as a teacher in Ottawa and as an educator in Malaysia and Vietnam.

Mr. Ngo immigrated to Canada in 1975 after fleeing communist terror in Vietnam. Since then, he has been a champion of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law - and a strong advocate against communist oppression.

Mr. Ngo has also been an active member of various Vietnamese communities across Canada and overseas, and is the founder and former Chairperson of the Ottawa Vietnamese Non-Profit Residence Corporation. He is also the co-founder of the International Committee for a Free Vietnam - Canada chapter. He served as the President of the Vietnamese Community Association of Ottawa and as a board member and Vice-President of the Canadian Assessment and Placement Centre, Employment Centre for New Immigrants.

Mr. Ngo resides in Orleans, Ontario.

His Senate appointment is effective immediately.

Thomas Johnson McInnis

Thomas Johnson McInnis is a career lawyer in Nova Scotia. He holds a law degree from Dalhousie University.

Over the years, Mr. McInnis has practiced property and commercial law and public-private partnering with a number of firms, including the Weldon McInnis Law Firm (1996-2005) the Boyne Clark Law Firm (1993-1996) and the McInnis Mont & Randall Law Firm (1976-1978).  He was also co-owner of Halifax Water Tours (1974-1986) and the Maritime Travel Agency (1975-1979).

Mr. McInnis is currently President of the Sheet Harbour & Area Chamber of Commerce, President of the Association for the Preservation of the Eastern Shore and a ,Member of the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society. He was appointed to the Halifax Port Authority in 2008.

Thomas Johnson McInnis was the federal Progressive Conservative candidate for Dartmouth in 2000. He was also elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly (1978-1993).

Mr. McInnis resides in Sheet Harbour, Nova Scotia.

His Senate appointment is effective immediately.

 

Paul E. McIntyre

Paul E. McIntyre is a lawyer and member of the Canadian Bar Association and New Brunswick Barristers' Society. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Université de Moncton, a Master of Arts (History) from the University of New Brunswick, and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Dalhousie University.

Mr. McIntyre was Chairperson of the New Brunswick Review Board from 1985 to 1998 and 2000 onward.  He was also the senior law partner at the McIntyre Law Firm in Dalhousie, New Brunswick, until 2008. He was appointed federal Queen's Counsel in 1993.

Mr. McIntyre is an active community member. He is the owner and creator of the Alfred Desrosiers Nature Park, a fundraiser to various charitable organizations, including the Salvation Army and a former Chairperson of the Charlo Fall Fair. He was also the Assistant Coordinator of the Children's Wish Foundation (Restigouche region). He is also active in sport and is an organizer of numerous athletic events in his community. In his spare time, he writes poetry.

Mr. McIntyre resides in Charlo, New Brunswick.

His Senate appointment is effective immediately.