Appointments to the Senate

The appointment of Ms. Christensen and Ms. Finnerty bring to 23 the number of women that the Prime Minister has named to the Senate since 1993 - the most to be appointed by any Prime Minister in Canadian history. The number of women in the Senate has risen from 16 at the time the government took office to 32 as of these appointments.

The appointments are effective immediately.

Biographies are attached.

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A distinguished public servant, with deep roots in the community, Ione Christensen is widely known and respected in the Yukon and across Canada.

After graduating from secondary school in Whitehorse in 1953, Ms, Christensen earned a business administration degree from the College of San Mateo in California.

From 1958-67, Ms. Christensen worked for the Government of Yukon Territory in a variety of increasingly senior positions. After working at home caring for her pre-school children from 1967-71, she resumed her career with the Government of Yukon; serving from 1971-75 in numerous positions, including Justice of the Peace and Chair of the City of Whitehorse Planning Board. From 1975-79 she served two terms as Mayor of Whitehorse, as well as Chair of the Association of Yukon Municipalities and as a Director with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Ms. Christensen served as Commissioner of the Yukon in 1979.

From 1980-86, she was President of Hospitality North Limited, during which time she also served as a Director of Petro-Canada, a Director of Panarctic Oil Limited, and as Chair of the Yukon Placer Mining Guidelines Review Committee. From 1984-89, she worked in the Whitehorse office of Energy, Mines and Resources Canada, as an Arbitrator with the Yukon Public Service Commission and with the Yukon Economic Council.

From 1989-94, Ms. Christensen served terms as Chair of the Advisory Committee on Waste Management of the Government of Yukon and as Executive Director of Crossroads Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centre.

She is currently a partner in Cameras North, a consulting firm that specializes in photography, publishing and wilderness guides; Executive Director of the Yukon Foundation; and, Director of the National Association of Canadian Land Surveyors.

In 1994, Ms. Christensen became a Member of the Order of Canada.

She and her husband, Arthur, have raised two sons, Paul and Philip. She is 65 years of age.

A lawyer, distinguished member of the North West Territories (N.W.T.) Legislative Assembly and a former Premier, Nick Sibbeston has dedicated his life to public service, and particularly the needs of the aboriginal peoples of the North.

Mr. Sibbeston was born in Fort Simpson, N.W.T. and attended residential school in Fort Simpson, Providence, Inuvik, and Yellowknife. He graduated from Sir John Franklin High School in 1964. He attended the University of Alberta and graduated with Bachelor of Arts and Law degrees.

In 1970, Mr, Sibbeston was elected to a four-year term on the North West Territorial Council. And from 1979-91, he was elected to the N.W.T. Legislative Assembly.

During his term in the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Sibbeston served six years in Cabinet and two years as Premier. He represented the Government of the N.W.T. as Premier at First Ministers' conferences on the economy and a First Ministers' Conference on Aboriginal Constitutional Matters.

Since 1991, Mr. Sibbeston has worked briefly for the Government of N.W.T. as Justice Specialist and as a Public Administrator for Deh Cho Health & Social Services. He has served four years on the Canadian Human Rights Panel/Tribunal. He has also served as Cultural Advisor and Slavey language advisor for the television program North of 60.

Mr. Sibbeston and his wife, Karen, presently operate a family bed & breakfast. They have six children.

Mr. Sibbeston is 55 years of age.

Blessed with extraordinary energy and dedication, Isobel Finnerty has blazed a trail for women in the field of political activism, earning national and international recognition and respect for her skills.

A native of Timmins, Ontario, Ms. Finnerty was educated at Timmins High School and graduated from Timmins Business College in 1948. She worked until 1958 in Timmins as a Medical Secretary.

Ms. Finnerty's flair for community service was recognized at a young age. She was appointed to the Timmins Parks and Recreation Commission in 1947 at the age of 19, and served as its sole woman member until 1967. As her husband, Leslie, pursued his career with the C.N. management, she carried on her work in different Ontario communities. From 1968-70, she served as Vice Chair of a committee that sought to have a Secondary School located in North London. From 1970-72, she served on the board of the Stratford Y.M.C.A. and for 20 years she was a canvasser for the Canadian Cancer Society. She has been asked to be on a fundraising committee for the Burlington Art Gallery.

During this time, Ms. Finnerty has made an indelible mark in the field of political organization at the federal and provincial levels. Her talent and her reputation have seen her invited to work or train others in every province in Canada. In 1994, she was invited to Benin, Africa, as an International Trainer for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs.

Ms. Finnerty and her husband have raised two sons, Lorne and John. She is 69 years of age.


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