- Born
- December 31, 1955
- Education
- Bachelor of Arts from the University of Moncton; Master of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa; Completed coursework for a Master of Industrial Relations
- Career
- Businesswoman and professor; Manager of the international trade development unit at Canada Post Corporation
- Political Experience
- Elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in 1987; Liberal MP for Madawaska—Victoria 1993-1997; Appointed to the Senate of Canada December 12, 2002
- Notable
- First francophone woman to be elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick; Deputy chair of the Canadian Senate Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament in the 45th Canadian Parliament
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before her appointment to the Senate, Pierrette Ringuette had a career in both politics and business. She served as a Member of Parliament for the Liberal Party in the House of Commons and as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in New Brunswick. Her professional background also includes roles as a manager for a credit union (caisse populaire) and as an economic development officer. As a senator, her public disclosures have listed assets such as publicly traded securities and real estate holdings. These declarations are a routine part of the accountability framework for Canadian senators.
Key Relationships & Connections
Pierrette Ringuette was appointed to the Senate in 2002 on the advice of former Prime Minister Paul Martin. For most of her political career, both before and during her time in the Senate, she was affiliated with the Liberal Party of Canada. She served as a Liberal MP and was part of the Liberal caucus in the Senate for many years before joining the Independent Senators Group.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
In the mid-2000s, Senator Ringuette's office arrangements were reportedly reviewed by the Senate's internal economy committee. The review focused on the employment of her common-law partner in her Senate office and related travel expense claims. The situation raised questions about the overlap between her personal relationships and her use of public funds for staffing and travel, which led to a review of the rules governing such arrangements for all senators.
Public Controversies
The most significant public controversy involving Senator Ringuette centered on her hiring of her common-law partner as an assistant and claiming his travel expenses. Media reports around 2007 brought attention to the matter, which was subsequently examined by the Senate's Board of Internal Economy. According to reports, the committee determined that some of the travel claims were inappropriate, and Senator Ringuette was required to repay a portion of the funds. The incident contributed to a broader public debate about Senate expenses and the rules for senators hiring family members.