The 9th annual Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians’ peer-nominated Distinguished Service Award was presented during a ceremony in Ottawa on May 28, 2007 to the Honorable Jacques Hébert, P.C., O.C., LL.D., former Senator for the Liberal Party of Canada representing the riding of Wellington, Quebec, in recognition for his outstanding contributions to the promotion and understanding of Canada’s parliamentary system of government.
Jacques Hébert, was a former journalist, writer and passionate advocate for civil rights. He was actively involved with youth and youth organizations in Canada and around the world, including Canada World Youth and Katimavik which he had created. Mr. Hébert was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 1983 by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and served until 1998. During this time, he acted as Chief Government Whip and Opposition Whip in the Senate; chaired the Liberal Party Caucus, the Standing Committee of Selection, the Special Committee on Bill C-21 and the Special Committee on Youth; was Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry; and served on many parliamentary committees.
