Appointments to the Senate

April 7, 2000
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced today that Her Excellency the Governor General has agreed to summon Tommy Banks of Alberta and John (Jack) Wiebe of Saskatchewan to the Senate.

The appointments are effective immediately.

Biographies are attached.

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

Tommy Banks is well-known to Canadians as one of our most accomplished and versatile entertainers, and an international standard-bearer for Canadian culture.

From 1968-83, he was the host of The Tommy Banks Show. A Gemini Award-winning variety television performer, he is today the owner of Tommy Banks Music Ltd.

A Juno Award-winning musician, Mr. Banks has achieved national and international renown as Conductor or Music Director for such signature events as: The Royal Command Performance (1978); The Commonwealth Games (1978); the World University Games (1983); and the Opening Ceremonies for EXPO ‘86 and the XVth Olympic Winter Games (1988). He has also served as a guest conductor with symphony orchestras throughout Canada and in the United States.

As founding Chairman of the Alberta Foundation for the Performing Arts, Mr. Banks has worked tirelessly to ensure that other promising musicians and performers receive the exposure they deserve right across the country.

In 1979, Mr. Banks received an Honourary Diploma of Music from Grant MacEwan College. That same year, he received the Grand Prix du Disque-Canada. In 1987, he received an Honourary Doctor of Laws from the University of Alberta. In 1990, he received the Sir Frederick Haultain Prize.

In 1991, Mr. Banks was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. And in 1993, he was awarded the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Mr. Banks lives in Edmonton. He is 63 years of age.

Jack Wiebe is one of Saskatchewan's leading citizens. He has been a highly successful farmer, as well as a member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly.

And in 1994, he became the first farmer to be appointed to the position of Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan in almost 50 years.

Mr. Wiebe first became known in Saskatchewan as a leader in the farm community. He and his family built a thriving farm in the Main Center district of the province, and from 1970-86 he was owner and President of L&W Feeders Ltd.

Mr. Wiebe has been very involved with the co-operative movement, and has served on the Main Center Wheat Pool Committee, the Herbert Credit Union, the Herbert Co-op, and the Saskatchewan Co-operative Advisory Board. He has also been active with the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, and the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association. He is currently the Saskatchewan Chairman of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council.

Mr. Wiebe was elected in 1971 and 1975 as a Member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly for the constituency of Morse.

Mr. Wiebe and his wife, Ann, have raised three daughters and have four grandchildren. He is 63 years of age.