Patti LaBoucane-Benson
- Born
- February 20, 1969 — St. Paul des Métis, Alberta
- Family
- Married, lives on an acreage with her husband and two dogs
- Education
- Three degrees from the University of Alberta, including a PhD in Human Ecology
- Career
- Executive director of the Boys and Girls Club in St. Paul for 2 years, 23 years at Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NCSA)
- Political Experience
- Appointed to represent Alberta in the Senate of Canada on October 3, 2018. Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate as of 2026, a role she has held since May 2023. Previously served as the Government Liaison.
- Notable
- First Indigenous woman to hold a leadership position in the Upper Chamber. Won the Burt Award for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Literature for her graphic novel, The Outside Circle. Voted Senator of the Year by iPolitics on November 24, 2025. Her grandmother was offered a Senate seat, which she declined.
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before her appointment to the Senate in 2018, Patti LaBoucane-Benson had a long career with Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NCSA), where she worked for over two decades and eventually became the Chief Executive Officer. Her work focused on Indigenous community development, justice, and wellness. She holds a PhD in Human Ecology from the University of Alberta, where her research focused on Indigenous family resilience. LaBoucane-Benson is also the author of a graphic novel titled "The Outside Circle," which is based on her academic research and professional experience working with Indigenous families involved in the justice system.
Key Relationships & Connections
Patti LaBoucane-Benson was appointed to the Senate on the recommendation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as part of his process to select independent senators. She has a long-standing and deep connection to the Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NCSA), the organization where she worked for 23 years and served as CEO before her Senate appointment.