Order and Decorum
As the Senate's presiding officer, it is the Speaker's responsibility to maintain order and decorum inside the Senate chamber. Like any legislature, the Senate is governed by rules and conventions. The Speaker chairs the sittings of the "red chamber," presides over votes, and rules on points of order as well as points of privilege raised by senators.
The Speaker's rulings can be challenged and subjected to a vote. Therefore, it is important for rulings to reflect the wishes of the majority of senators. A referee, and sometimes a coach, the Speaker must ensure that the process is fair and equitable for all parties.
Diplomacy
The Speaker of the Senate is fourth on the Order of Precedence following the Governor General, the Prime Minister, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. In this respect, protocol requires the Speaker to be involved in most state visits not only in a ceremonial role but also to receive visiting Heads of State or Heads of Government in the Speaker's chambers, usually with other parliamentarians and officials. The Speaker is required to interact on a regular basis with diplomats based in Canada as a means of advancing our country's relations with the world. He is also expected to travel internationally on behalf of the Canadian Parliament and sometimes as the government's representative.
The Honourable Raymonde Gagné
Born in Manitoba, Raymonde Gagné was appointed to the Senate of Canada, representing Manitoba, in 2016, after working in the field of education for over 35 years.
 |
| The Honourable Raymonde Gagné |
From 2003 to 2014, Ms. Gagné was President of Université de Saint-Boniface (USB), where she directed efforts to change the institution's status from college to university. In this role, she participated in a number of consultations on official languages in areas such as early childhood, education, healthcare, and economic and community development with a view to enhancing public policies. She also spearheaded the largest fundraising campaign in the institution's history, for the construction of a new health sciences building, to expand research capacity and increase the scholarship and bursary program. As President of USB, she was a member of the Council of Presidents of Universities of Manitoba and was elected Chair in 2012. She was also a member of the Senate of the University of Manitoba.
Prior to her tenure as President of USB, she served at the university as Director of New Programs, Director of the Community College and of the Continuing Education Division, and as Professor in Business Administration. She previously worked as a high school teacher, a principal, and a consultant in regional and industrial expansion in New Brunswick.
Throughout her career, Ms. Gagné contributed to numerous organizations and boards within Manitoba and across the country. She served as President of the Association des universités de la francophonie canadienne from 2005 to 2009, was a member of the Advisory Committee on Official Languages for the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada from 2007 to 2009, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Consortium national de formation en santé, which she co-chaired from 2009 to 2014. As a senator, Ms. Gagné also served as Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate, a role that she assumed in January 2020.
She is a member of the Order of Canada, the Order of Manitoba, and a recipient of the Prix Riel.
SOURCES: The Speaker of the Senate.
|
