After four months in the Senate as a non-affiliated senator, Senator Colin Deacon (Nova Scotia) has decided to join the ISG. After a vote of its membership, ISG Facilitator, Senator Yuen Pau Woo and Deputy Facilitator Senator Raymonde Saint-Germain announced that he would become the 47th ISG member.
Senator Deacon is former Vice Chair of the Kids Brain Health Network, a national network of researchers and health professionals committed to helping children with neuro-disabilities. He also sat on the board of the Halifax Assistance Fund, stepping down recently, and helped establish one of Canada’s major life science venture funds. Senator Deacon has committed himself to bettering life for Atlantic Canadians, and through his business accomplishments has created many jobs throughout the region.
“I have spent several months reflecting on how I might contribute to the legislative process as I learn how best to fulfil my new responsibilities,” said Senator Deacon. “I have decided to join the ISG to benefit from collegial learning opportunities within a diverse and non-partisan group, where there is freedom of opinion and action. I look forward to working with my new Senate colleagues, in all caucuses, as we consider and debate issues to contribute to the future of our country.”
“Senator Colin Deacon joins the Senate, representing Nova Scotia, but also representing Canadians from sea to sea to sea. Building a business requires the type of resilience and out-of-the-box thinking that each member of the ISG carries with them in their day-to-day work,” said Senator Woo. “To build a successful business, you must be capable of turning an idea into an action. It is a pleasure to have Senator Colin Deacon join our ranks, knowing that yet another one of our diverse members has this very experience.”
Established in 2016, The Independent Senators Group (ISG) is committed to a non-partisan Senate and the modernization of the Upper House of Canada’s Parliament. With 47 members, the ISG is the largest parliamentary group in the Senate. Composed of independents not affiliated with any political caucus, ISG Senators work cooperatively but act independently.
The ISG’s Facilitator is Senator Yuen Pau Woo (BC) and the Deputy Facilitator is Raymonde Saint-Germain (QC), each elected by members on a two-year term (until 2019). ISG senators have been appointed over the years by five different Prime Ministers, with most of the current membership selected through The Independent Advisory Board for Senate appointments process.
For more information, please contact:
Aline Lafrenière
Director of Communications
Independent Senators Group (ISG) Secretariat
aline.lafreniere@sen.parl.gc.ca
819-664-1564