Fernand Robichaud facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fernand Robichaud
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| Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office January 26, 2001 – January 14, 2004 |
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| Prime Minister | Jean Chrétien Paul Martin |
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| Leader | Sharon Carstairs Jack Austin |
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| Preceded by | Dan Hays | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Bill Rompkey | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Secretary of State (Agriculture and Agri-Food, Fisheries and Oceans) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office September 15, 1994 – June 10, 1997 |
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| Prime Minister | Jean Chrétien | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minister | Ralph Goodale Brian Tobin David Dingwall (acting) Fred Mifflin |
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| Preceded by | Gilbert Normand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Position abolished | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Secretary of State (Parliamentary Affairs) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office November 4, 1993 – September 14, 1994 |
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| Prime Minister | Jean Chrétien | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minister | Herb Gray | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Position established | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Alfonso Gagliano | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | December 2, 1939 Shippagan, New Brunswick, Canada |
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| Political party | Independent Liberal (since 2014) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other political affiliations |
Liberal (until 2014) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fernand Robichaud (born December 2, 1939) is a Canadian politician. He has held important roles in the Canadian government.
He was born in Shippagan, New Brunswick. Before becoming a politician, he was a teacher and a businessman. He also served on the local council for Saint-Louis-de-Kent from 1971 to 1974.
Early Political Career
Fernand Robichaud first became a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1984. He was elected to the House of Commons of Canada. This is where elected representatives discuss and make laws for Canada. He represented the area called Westmorland—Kent in New Brunswick.
In 1988, he was re-elected for the Beauséjour area. In 1990, he stepped down from his seat. This allowed Jean Chrétien, the new leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, to become an MP through a special election.
Roles in Government
After stepping down, Robichaud worked as a special assistant. He helped the leader of the opposition party. He returned to the House of Commons in the 1993 election.
When Jean Chrétien became Prime Minister, Fernand Robichaud was given new responsibilities.
- In 1993, he became the Secretary of State for Parliamentary Affairs. This role involves helping with the work of Parliament.
- In 1994, he was appointed Secretary of State for Agriculture and Agri-Food, Fisheries, and Oceans. This meant he helped manage important areas like farming and fishing for the country.
Time in the Senate
Fernand Robichaud did not run in the 1997 election. Instead, Prime Minister Chrétien suggested he be appointed to the Senate of Canada. The Senate is another part of Canada's Parliament. Senators are appointed, not elected, and they review laws. He became a Senator on September 23, 1997.
From 2001 to 2004, he served as the deputy leader for the government in the Senate. He also worked as the vice-chair of the Senate's committee on agriculture and forestry. This committee looks at issues related to farming and forests.
In 2014, the leader of the Liberal Party, Justin Trudeau, announced a change. All Liberal Senators, including Robichaud, would no longer be part of the main Liberal group. They would instead sit as independent members. These Senators then called themselves the Senate Liberal Caucus.
Fernand Robichaud retired from the Senate on December 2, 2014. This was because he reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 for Senators.
