Percy Downe

The Honourable
Percy E. Downe
Senator from Prince Edward Island
Assumed office
June 26, 2003
Nominated by Jean Chrétien
Appointed by Adrienne Clarkson
8th Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister
In office
May 2, 2001 – June 26, 2003
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
Preceded by Jean Pelletier
Succeeded by Eddie Goldenberg
Personal details
Born (1954-07-08) July 8, 1954
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Political party Liberal
Alma mater University of Prince Edward Island
Military service
Service/branch Force Mobile Command
Years of service 1970–1972
Unit The Prince Edward Island Regiment (RCAC)

Percy E. Downe (born July 8, 1954) is a Canadian Senator and former political aide.

Since graduating from the University of Prince Edward Island in 1977, Downe has had the opportunity to serve at the provincial and federal levels of Canadian Government. From 1986 to 1993, Downe was executive assistant to the Premier of Prince Edward Island, Joe Ghiz. Downe moved to Ottawa following the Liberal victory in the 1993 federal election, and served as executive assistant to the Secretary of State for Veterans Affairs. He subsequently served as executive assistant to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and then the Minister of Labour.

He joined the Prime Minister's Office as director of appointments in 1998. He became Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's chief of staff in 2001. He was appointed to the Senate of Canada on June 26, 2003.

Downe is currently Vice-Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Joint-Chair of the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament, a member of the Senate Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, and is also on the Executive Committee of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association.

He was also formerly a member of the Senate Standing Committee on National Finance, the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs and the Senate Standing Committee on Rules, Rights and Procedures of Parliament.

On January 29, 2014, Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau announced all Liberal Senators, including Downe, were removed from the Liberal caucus, and would continue sitting as Independents.[1] According to Senate Opposition leader James Cowan, the Senators will still refer to themselves as Liberals even if they are no longer members of the parliamentary Liberal caucus.[2]

He resides in Charlottetown with his wife and two daughters.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/justin-trudeau-removes-senators-from-liberal-caucus-1.2515273
  2. ↑ "Trudeau's expulsion catches Liberal senators by surprise". Globe and Mail. January 29, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
Political offices
Preceded by
Jean Pelletier		 Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister's Office
2001–2003 		Succeeded by
Eddie Goldenberg
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