Appointed to the Senate by the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien in November 2003, Senator Terry M. Mercer represents the province of Nova Scotia and the Senatorial Division of Northend Halifax.
Senator Mercer served as the National Director of the Liberal Party of Canada from 1995-2003. Prior to working with the Liberal Party, he held a wide variety of positions with various charitable institutions. From 1993-1995, he was the Executive Director of the Metro Toronto Branch of the Canadian Diabetes Association, while from 1987-1993, he was Vice President and Director, Financial Development of the YMCA of Greater Toronto. Senator Mercer has also held positions with the Nova Scotia Lung Association, St. John Ambulance Nova Scotia Council, and the Kidney Foundation of Canada (Nova Scotia Branch).
Senator Mercer is also very active in the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and is the Past Chair of the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy in Canada. He is a member of the Nova Scotia and Ottawa Chapters of AFP.
Senator Mercer is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and has lectured extensively on modern ethical fundraising techniques. He has been a founding member and Director of two chapters of AFP and a member of the Executive Committee of the North American YMCA Development Officers, 1990-1997.
Before working for these charitable institutions, Senator Mercer worked as Executive Assistant to the Nova Scotia Minister of Labour and Housing from 1974 to 1978. A recipient of both the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation and the Queen's Jubilee Medal, Senator Mercer is an active volunteer and has served in the following capacities:
- Board of Directors, Halifax Police Boys & Girls Club, 1976-1981
- Board of Directors, CFB Halifax Curling Club, 1979-1981 & 1984-1985
- Board of Directors, Kidney Foundation of Canada, 1981-1987
- Vice-President, Adoptive Parents Association of Nova Scotia, 1986-1987
- Coach/Manager, Little League Baseball, 1988-1994
- Coach/Director, Junior Curling Program, 1988-1994
- Member Parish Council, St. Lawrence Church, Halifax, 1986-1987
- Board of Directors, Walter Callow Coach Association, 1985-1987
Senator Mercer has a Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary's University in Halifax. He and his wife Ellen (nee Simmons) live in Halifax and have one son, Michael.
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