Senator Downe was appointed to the Senate of Canada by the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien. He has served in the Senate representing Charlottetown in the province of Prince Edward Island since June 26, 2003.

Senator Downe is currently a member of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament, the Executive Committee of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association, and the Executive Committee of the Canada-Argentina Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Since graduating from the University of Prince Edward Island in 1977, Senator Downe has had the opportunity to serve at the provincial and the federal level, more specifically as:

• Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of Canada

• Director of Appointments, Office of the Prime Minister

• Executive Assistant to the Minister of Labour

• Executive Assistant to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

• Executive Assistant to the Secretary of State, Veterans Affairs and ACOA

• Executive Assistant to the Premier of Prince Edward Island

Senator Downe lives in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island with his spouse and their two children.

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