PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Senator Loffreda joins Independent Senators Group
OTTAWA, November 7, 2019 –Newly-appointed Senator Tony Loffreda (Shawinigan, Quebec) announced today that he will be joining the Independent Senators Group (ISG).
“I believe strongly in the Independent Senators Group’s mission to modernize the Senate and I’m looking forward to assisting them in creating a more efficient, transparent, and less partisan Upper Chamber,” said Loffreda of his decision to become a member of the ISG.
Loffreda is a certified public accountant with 35 years of experience in the Canadian financial sector. His most recent position was as vice-chairman of the Royal Bank of Canada. Senator Loffreda is also well known for his philanthropic work, having led fundraising efforts for the Montréal Cancer Institute, the Montréal Jewish General Hospital, and Giant Steps School, amongst others. He was appointed in July as a senator for Shawinigan, Quebec.
“The Senate plays a crucial role in the Canadian parliamentary system,” added Loffreda. “I am looking forward to leveraging the experiences that I’ve accumulated throughout my career as we attempt to improve legislation, as well as the lives of Canadians.”
Senator Yuen Pau Woo, facilitator of the Independent Senators Group, welcomed the addition of Loffreda’s experience and skill set. “We are pleased to welcome Senator Loffreda into our group,” said Woo. “He not only shares our vision for a less hyper-partisan and more efficient Senate, but his deep knowledge of Canada’s financial and charitable sectors will complement the Upper Chamber’s efforts to scrutinize and improve the laws of our country.”
Loffreda’s addition brings the ISG to 50 members, the largest group in the Upper Chamber.
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For more information, please contact:
Ro Izzetpanah
Communications Coordinator
Independent Senators Group Secretariat
ro.izzetpanah@sen.parl.gc.ca
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 50 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.