Bernadette Clement facts for kids

Bernadette Clement (born May 17, 1965) is a Canadian politician. She was appointed to the Canadian Senate on June 22, 2021, by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Before becoming a Senator, she served as the mayor of Cornwall, Ontario. She was elected mayor in 2018 after being a city councillor for three terms. Bernadette Clement made history as the first woman and first person of colour to be mayor of Cornwall. She was also the first Black Canadian woman to serve as a mayor in Ontario.

Who is Bernadette Clement?

Bernadette Clement is a well-known figure in Canadian politics. She has held important roles both at the local level in Cornwall and now at the national level in the Senate. Her career shows a strong dedication to public service and making a difference in her community.

Early Life and Education

Bernadette Clement was born and grew up in Montreal, Quebec. Her father was from Trinidad and Tobago, and her mother was Franco-Manitoban. This diverse background shaped her early life.

She attended the University of Ottawa. There, she studied both civil law and common law. These are two different types of legal systems. In 1991, she became a lawyer, joining the Ontario bar.

A Career in Public Service

After becoming a lawyer, Bernadette Clement moved to Cornwall. She started working at what is now called the Roy McMurtry Legal Clinic. She eventually became the executive director of this clinic. She continued to work there until she was appointed to the Senate.

Her journey in politics began in 2006. She was first elected to the Cornwall City Council as a city councillor. She served three terms in this role, helping to make decisions for the city.

Serving Cornwall as Mayor

In 2018, Bernadette Clement ran for mayor of Cornwall. She won the election, becoming the city's mayor on December 1, 2018. Her campaign focused on working together as a team to manage the city. She also wanted to move forward with a plan to redevelop the city's waterfront. This project had been delayed for a long time.

As mayor, she achieved several historic firsts. She was the first woman and the first person of colour to hold the position. She was also the first Black Canadian woman to serve as a mayor anywhere in Ontario. She served as mayor until June 22, 2021.

Becoming a Senator

On June 22, 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Bernadette Clement to the Canadian Senate. The Senate is a part of Canada's Parliament. Senators review and approve laws passed by the House of Commons.

In December 2022, Senator Clement joined the Independent Senators Group. This group helps senators work together. She became their Chamber Coordinator. Six months later, in June 2023, she was elected as the Deputy Facilitator for the group. This means she helps lead the group's work in the Senate.

Past Political Campaigns

Before becoming mayor and then a Senator, Bernadette Clement also ran in federal elections. She was a candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada. She ran in the electoral district of Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry. She campaigned in both the 2011 Canadian federal election and the 2015 Canadian federal election.