APPOINTMENTS TO THE SENATE

June 26, 2003
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced today that Her Excellency the Governor General has agreed to summon Percy Downe, of Prince Edward Island, and Paul Massicotte, of Quebec, to the Senate.

These appointments are effective immediately.

Biographies are attached.

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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

PERCY DOWNE

Mr. Downe served as a senior advisor to a number of provincial and federal ministers. He was Chief of Staff in the Office of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien since 2001, after serving as the PMO's Director of Appointments from 1998 to 2001. From 1993 to 1998, he served as Executive Assistant to the Secretary of State for Veterans Affairs, then the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and, finally, the Minister of Labour.

Before working at the federal level, Mr. Downe worked for the provincial government in Prince Edward Island, where he was Executive Assistant to the Premier from 1986 to 1993.

Mr. Downe has a B.A. from the University of Prince Edward Island.

Percy Downe and his spouse Roslyn Saunders live in Charlottetown with their two children Anna and Madison.

PAUL J. MASSICOTTE

Originally from Manitoba, Mr. Massicotte graduated from the University of Manitoba with a bachelor's degree in administration before becoming a chartered accountant in Manitoba, then Quebec.

During his brilliant career, Mr. Massicotte was a senior manager of major real estate companies and is currently Chief Executive Officer of the Alexis Nihon Real Estate Investment Trust. Mr. Massicotte has served on the boards of several organizations, including the Bank of Canada, the Canadian Institute of Public Real Estate Companies and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Massicotte has also been involved in numerous not-for-profit organizations over the years and is one of the founding directors of the Urban Development Institute of Quebec.

Paul J. Massicotte and his wife have two children.