Fernand Robichaud facts for kids

Fernand Robichaud is a Canadian politician who was born on December 2, 1939. He has held important roles in the Canadian government, including serving in the House of Commons of Canada and the Senate of Canada.

Early Life and Career

Fernand Robichaud was born in Shippagan, a town in New Brunswick, Canada. Before he became a politician, he worked as a teacher and a businessman. He also served on the local council for Saint-Louis-de-Kent from 1971 to 1974. This experience helped him understand how local government works.

Time in the House of Commons

First Elections

Mr. Robichaud was first elected to the House of Commons of Canada in 1984. The House of Commons is where elected representatives from across Canada meet to make laws. He represented the area known as Westmorland—Kent in New Brunswick. He was re-elected in 1988, this time representing the area of Beauséjour.

Helping Jean Chrétien

In 1990, Fernand Robichaud did something special. He stepped down from his seat in the House of Commons. This allowed Jean Chrétien, who had just become the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, to run in a special election called a by-election and get a seat in the House of Commons. After this, Mr. Robichaud worked as a special assistant to the Leader of the Opposition.

Return to Parliament and Cabinet Roles

Mr. Robichaud returned to the House of Commons in the 1993 election. When Jean Chrétien became the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Robichaud was given important jobs. He became a Secretary of State for Parliamentary Affairs. This role meant he helped with how Parliament worked. In 1994, he took on another role as Secretary of State for Agriculture and Agri-Food, Fisheries, and Oceans. In this job, he helped manage important areas like farming, fishing, and protecting our oceans.

Service in the Senate

Appointment to the Senate

Fernand Robichaud did not run in the 1997 election for the House of Commons. Instead, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien recommended him for a position in the Senate of Canada. He was appointed to the Senate on September 23, 1997. The Senate is another part of Canada's Parliament, where senators review and approve laws.

Leadership and Committee Work

From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Robichaud served as the Deputy Government Leader in the Senate. This was a key role where he helped guide the government's plans through the Senate. Later, he was the vice-chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. This committee looks closely at issues related to farming and forests in Canada.

Becoming an Independent Senator

On January 29, 2014, the leader of the Liberal Party, Justin Trudeau, announced that all Liberal Senators, including Mr. Robichaud, would no longer be part of the main Liberal group in Parliament. This meant they would sit as Independent Senators. Even though they were independent, they still called themselves the Senate Liberal Caucus.

Retirement

Fernand Robichaud retired from the Senate on December 2, 2014. Senators in Canada must retire when they reach the age of 75.