Iris G. Petten
- Born
- Port de Grave, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Education
- Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education, Memorial University
- Career
- Extensive career in the fishing industry, including as an executive in her family's seafood business. Served as Chair of the Board of Regents of Memorial University, Chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Fish Processing Licensing Board, and President of the Canadian Council of Professional Fish Harvesters.
- Political Experience
- Appointed to the Senate on May 3, 2023.
- Notable
- Awarded the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2021. Received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Memorial University in 2018.
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before her appointment to the Senate, Iris Petten had a long career in the fishing industry in Newfoundland and Labrador. She is a chartered professional accountant and reportedly served as the executive vice-president of Ocean Choice International (OCI), a major seafood harvesting and processing company. Petten has also held positions on various industry-related boards. According to reports, she has served as the chair of the board of regents of Memorial University of Newfoundland. She also reportedly served as chair of the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation and was a past chair of the Fisheries Council of Canada. Public disclosures after her appointment indicated she held significant financial interests, including shares, in companies related to the fishing sector.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
After her appointment in 2023, concerns were publicly raised about potential conflicts of interest related to Senator Petten's financial holdings in the fishing industry, particularly her connection to Ocean Choice International (OCI). Questions were asked by opposition politicians and in media reports about whether her personal financial interests in a major seafood company could conflict with her public duties as a senator, especially when dealing with legislation and policy affecting the fisheries. According to reports, these concerns centered on her continued ownership of shares in OCI and the adequacy of the ethics screen put in place to manage any potential conflicts. The Senate's Conflict of Interest and Ethics Officer's public registry would contain the official declarations and measures taken to address such situations.
Public Controversies
The primary public controversy involving Senator Petten arose shortly after her appointment and centered on her financial ties to Ocean Choice International (OCI). Media outlets and political opponents highlighted her significant shareholdings in the company, raising questions about her ability to be impartial on fisheries issues, which are a major political and economic topic in her home province and nationally. The debate focused on whether she should be required to divest her holdings entirely to avoid any perception of a conflict. The controversy led to public discussion about the Senate's ethics rules and how they apply to senators who come from prominent business backgrounds with ongoing financial interests in key sectors of the economy.