Backgrounder

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Biographies

May 18, 2011
Ottawa, Ontario

Josée Verner
Quebec

Josée Verner was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 2006 and re-elected in 2008. In February 2006, Ms. Verner was appointed Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages. In August 2007, she was named Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages. In May 2008, she was assigned additional responsibilities as Minister for La Francophonie.

Ms. Verner has spent close to 20 years in the communications and public service fields, including at the Quebec provincial Ministry of Health and Social Services.

Ms. Verner is involved in her community and has spent time fundraising for the Children's Make A Wish Foundation.

Ms. Verner is married and has three children.

Larry Smith
Quebec

Larry Smith is a widely-recognized and respected figure in Quebec. He graduated from Bishop's University with a bachelor of arts in economics in 1972, and a bachelor of civil law degree from McGill University in 1976. He is well-known in Montreal from his days as a fullback with the Montreal Alouettes from 1972 to 1980, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of the same team from 1997 to 2001 and again since 2004. Working tirelessly to promote professional and amateur football, Mr. Smith also served as Commissioner of the Canadian Football League (CFL) prior to his first term as Alouettes' President.

Outside of football, Mr. Smith has served on a number of civic charitable boards, including as Co-President of the 2001 Montreal Centraide Campaign and on the board of the Canadian Olympic Committee. He also has extensive experience in the business world, including positions with Industrial Life Technical Services, John Labatt, Ltd., and Ogilvie Mills, Ltd., before becoming CFL Commissioner. In addition he served as president and publisher of The Montreal Gazette in 2002 and 2003.

He has received numerous awards over the course of his careers, including the Commissioner's Award for outstanding service and dedication in promoting and preserving the CFL (2001), the 1994 American Marketing Association-Toronto chapter Marketer of the Year (consumer products) and Sports Personality of the Year at the Quebec Sports Gala (1998).

Mr. Smith resides in Hudson, Quebec, with his wife Leesa. They have three children and two grandchildren.

Fabian Manning
Newfoundland and Labrador

Fabian Manning has dedicated his career to serving Newfoundlanders and Labradorians at all three levels of government. A three term councilor in the town of St. Brides, Mr. Manning served as coordinator for the Cape Shore Area Development Association for three years.

Mr. Manning would go on to win three elections to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly as the representative for Placentia – St. Mary's. He was subsequently elected as Member of Parliament in the federal constituency of Avalon in the 2006 Federal Election campaign.

Mr. Manning chaired both the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans as well as the Conservative Government's Atlantic caucus.

He was subsequently elected as the Member of Parliament for Avalon in 2006 and appointed to the Senate of Canada in 2008.

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