Jacques Saada, PC (born November 22, 1947) is a Canadian politician and former cabinet minister.
Saada is a teacher and linguist by profession and was Chief Executive Officer of a translation firm, a consultant and a lecturer in translation prior to entering politics.
He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons as a Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) from the Quebec riding of Brossard—La Prairie in the 1997 federal election. He served as Deputy Government Whip from 2001 to 2003. When Paul Martin became Prime Minister of Canada on December 12, 2003, he had Saada appointed as a privy councillor[1] (giving him the prenomial "The Honourable" and the postnomial "PC" for life) and to the Cabinet as Minister Responsible for Democratic Reform and Government House Leader.
Following the 2004 election with the election of a Liberal minority government, Saada was transferred to the positions of Minister for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister responsible for La Francophonie.
Saada was born in Tunis, Tunisia, to a Sephardic family. In the 2004 election his campaign was the target of anti-Semitic graffiti, letters, and phone calls.
Saada was defeated in the 2006 election, losing his seat in Brossard—La Prairie to Bloc Québécois candidate Marcel Lussier.
He is the Quebec Chair for the Rae campaign for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.
External links
- Political Biography from the Library of Parliament
- Background
- Statement in the Canadian Parliament, April 9, 2002
| 27th Ministry - Government of Paul Martin |
| Cabinet Posts (3) |
| Predecessor |
Office |
Successor |
| legislation enacted |
Minister of the Economic Development Agency
of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
(2005–2006)
|
Jean-Pierre Blackburn |
|
Minister of State
(2004–2005)
styled as Minister of the Economic Development Agency
of Canada for the Regions of Quebec |
legislation enacted |
|
Minister of State
(2003–2004)
styled as Leader of the Government
in the House of Commons |
|
| Special Cabinet Responsibilities |
| Predecessor |
Title |
Successor |
| Denis Coderre |
Minister responsible for La Francophonie
(2004–2006)
|
Josée Verner |
| position created |
Minister responsible for Democratic Reform
(2003–2004)
|
Mauril Bélanger |
| Special Parliamentary Responsibilities |
| Predecessor |
Title |
Successor |
| Don Boudria |
Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
(2003–2004)
|
Tony Valeri |
Preceded by:
Electoral district created. See La Prairie |
Member of Parliament for Brossard—La Prairie
1997-2006 |
Succeeded by:
Marcel Lussier, Bloc Québécois |
Categories: Members of the 27th Ministry in Canada | 1947 births | Living people | Members of the Canadian House of Commons from Quebec | Liberal Party of Canada MPs | Arab Canadians | Canadian Jews | Members of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada
