The UPEI 50^th Anniversary Alumni Speakers Series and the UPEI Faculty of Arts are pleased to present an evening with the Honourable Percy Downe (BA, ’77), the first graduate of the University of Prince Edward Island to serve in the Senate of Canada. The event is on Thursday, November 14, at 6:30 pm in SDU Main Building, room 213.

In 2019, the University of Prince Edward Island is marking 50 years as a leader in education and research in our province, and well beyond the Island’s shores. The university has developed a year-long celebration to reflect on UPEI’s contributions spanning the globe. The Alumni Speakers Series is an opportunity to celebrate each of UPEI’s eight faculties by inviting prestigious alumni to speak about their journey from UPEI to today. 

Percy Downe was appointed to the Senate of Canada on June 26, 2003, and lives in Charlottetown. He is current vice-chair of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association, vice-chair on the board of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and IMF, and whip/liaison of the Senate Liberal Caucus. As a senator, he is a past member of the inaugural National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (vice chair), the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, the Standing Joint committee on the Library of Parliament (joint chair), the Standing Committee on National Finance, the Standing committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, and the Standing Committee on Rules, Rights and Procedures of Parliament.

Prior to his career in the Senate, Downe was chief of staff to the Prime Minister of Canada, director of appointments in the Office of the Prime Minister, and executive assistant to the Minister of Labour, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, the Secretary of State for Veterans Affairs and ACOA, and the Premier of Prince Edward Island.