Kim Pate

Independent Senators GroupOntario

7 bills sponsored

Background

Born: November 10, 1959
Education: Bachelor of Arts, University of Victoria (1980); Dalhousie Law School (1984); post graduate work in the area of forensic mental health
Career: Former executive director of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies
Political Experience: Appointed to Senate November 10, 2016
Notable: Member of the Order of Canada (2014); Recipient of the Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case (2011); Member of the Canadian Pride Caucus; identifies as lesbian

Public Profile

Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies

Business & Financial Interests

Before being appointed to the Senate, Kim Pate had a long career as a lawyer and advocate for human rights. She is best known for her role as the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies, a position she held for many years. This organization works with and for federally sentenced women. She has also worked as a professor at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law. Her professional life has been focused on the non-profit and academic sectors related to criminal justice and human rights, rather than corporate business.

Key Relationships & Connections

Kim Pate was the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies for over two decades, making it her most significant and long-standing professional relationship. Her work involved extensive collaboration with numerous justice system and human rights organizations across Canada. She was appointed to the Senate in 2016 on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as part of his process to create a more independent, non-partisan upper chamber.

Public Controversies

Senator Pate has faced public criticism for her advocacy on prisoners' rights. A significant controversy arose in 2023 when she commented on the transfer of convicted killer Paul Bernardo from a maximum-security prison to a medium-security institution. She stated that the move was based on the law and Corrections Canada policy, which drew widespread condemnation from political opponents and some members of the public who felt the comments were insensitive to the victims' families. Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino called her remarks "outrageous and offensive." Pate defended her position by stating she was explaining the legal framework governing the correctional system.