11 Facts About Percy Downe

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

Since graduating from the University of Prince Edward Island in 1977, Downe has served at the provincial and federal levels of government in Canada.

Percy 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.

Percy Downe subsequently served as executive assistant to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and then the Minister of Labour.

Percy Downe joined the Prime Minister's Office as director of appointments in 1998.

Percy Downe became Prime Minister Jean Chretien's chief of staff in 2001.

Percy Downe was appointed to the Senate of Canada on June 26,2003.

Percy 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 on the Executive Committee of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association.

Percy Downe was 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 Percy Downe, were removed from the Liberal caucus, and would continue sitting as Independents.

However, on November 18,2019, Percy Downe announced he was joining the Canadian Senators Group.