Bernadette Clement facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bernadette Clement
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| Deputy Facilitator of the Independent Senators Group |
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| Assumed office June 24, 2023 |
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| Leader | Raymonde Saint-Germain |
| Preceded by | Tony Dean |
| Canadian Senator from Ontario |
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| Assumed office June 22, 2021 |
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| Nominated by | Justin Trudeau |
| Appointed by | Richard Wagner |
| Preceded by | Nicole Eaton |
| Mayor of Cornwall | |
| In office December 1, 2018 – June 22, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Leslie O'Shaughnessy |
| Succeeded by | Glen Grant |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 17, 1965 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Political party | Independent (since 2018) |
| Other political affiliations |
Liberal (until 2018) |
| Profession |
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Bernadette Clement was born on May 17, 1965. She is a Canadian politician. She was chosen to join the Senate of Canada by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in June 2021. Before becoming a Senator, she was the mayor of Cornwall, Ontario. She was elected mayor in 2018.
Bernadette Clement made history in Cornwall. She was the first woman and the first person of colour to be the city's mayor. She was also the first Black Canadian woman to serve as a mayor anywhere in Ontario.
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Early Life and Education
Bernadette Clement grew up in Montreal, Quebec. Her father was from Trinidad and Tobago. Her mother was a Franco-Manitoban.
She went to the University of Ottawa. There, she studied different types of law. She became a lawyer in Ontario in 1991.
Career in Law and Local Politics
After finishing her studies, Clement moved to Cornwall. She started working at a legal clinic. This clinic helps people with legal issues. She eventually became the executive director of the clinic. She worked there until she was appointed to the Senate.
Her political career began in 2006. She was first elected as a city councillor in Cornwall. She served three terms as a councillor. This means she was elected three times.
Becoming Mayor of Cornwall
In 2018, Bernadette Clement ran for mayor of Cornwall. She won the election. As mayor, she wanted to make the city government work better as a team. She also wanted to move forward with plans to improve Cornwall's waterfront.
Serving in the Senate
In June 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Bernadette Clement to the Senate of Canada. The Senate is part of Canada's Parliament. Senators review and debate laws.
Senator Clement joined a group called the Independent Senators Group. In December 2022, she became a Chamber Coordinator for this group. Six months later, she was chosen as their Deputy Facilitator. This means she helps lead the group in the Senate.
Political Campaigns
Before becoming mayor and a Senator, Bernadette Clement also ran in federal elections. She was a candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada. She ran in the Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry area. She ran in both the 2011 Canadian federal election and the 2015 Canadian federal election.
