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{{Short description|Canadian lawyer and politician}}
{{BLP sources|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
⚫
| honorific_prefix = [[The Honourable]]
⚫
| image = George Furey 2016.jpg
⚫
| name = George Furey
⚫
| honorific-prefix = [[The Honourable]]
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|PC|KC|size=100}}
⚫
| name = George Furey
⚫
| image = George Furey 2016.jpg
| honorific-suffix = [[Queen's Counsel|QC]]
| imagesize =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption = Furey in 2016
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|5|12}}
| office = [[Speaker of the Senate of Canada]]
| term_start = December 3, 2015
⚫
| birth_place = [[St. John's, Newfoundland|St. John's]], [[Dominion of Newfoundland|Newfoundland]]
| death_date =
| term_end = May 12, 2023
| death_place =
| appointer = [[David Johnston]]
| nationality =
| nominator = [[Justin Trudeau]]
| party = Non-affiliated
| predecessor = [[Leo Housakos]]
| successor = [[Raymonde Gagné]]
⚫
| otherparty = [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] <small>(until 2014)</small><br>[[Senate Liberal Caucus|Independent Liberal]]<br><small>(2014-2015)</small>
| office = [[Speaker of the Senate of Canada]]
| office2 = [[Senate of Canada|Senator]]<br />from [[Newfoundland and Labrador]]
| term_start = December 3, 2015
| term_start2 = August 11, 1999
| term_end =
| term_end2 = May 12, 2023
| appointer = [[David Johnston]]
| nominator2 = [[Jean Chrétien]]
| nominator = [[Justin Trudeau]]
| appointer2 = [[Roméo LeBlanc]]
| predecessor = [[Leo Housakos]]
| predecessor2 = [[William Petten]]
| office2 = [[Senate of Canada|Senator]] from [[Newfoundland and Labrador]]
| successor2 = [[Judy White]]
| term_start2 = August 11, 1999
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|5|12}}
| term_end2 =
⚫
| birth_place = [[St. John's, Newfoundland|St. John's]], [[Dominion of Newfoundland|Newfoundland]], Canada
| nominator2 = [[Jean Chrétien]]
| appointer2 = [[Roméo LeBlanc]]
| death_date =
| predecessor2 = [[William Petten]]
| death_place =
| party = [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| successor2 =
⚫
| otherparty = [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] (until 2014)<br />[[Senate Liberal Caucus|Independent Liberal]]<br />(2014–2015)
| spouse =
| relations =
| spouse =
| children = 4 including [[Andrew Furey|Andrew]]
| relatives =
| children = 4 (including [[Andrew Furey|Andrew]])
| residence =
| residence =
| alma_mater = [[Memorial University of Newfoundland]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]], [[BEd]], [[MEd]])<br />[[Dalhousie University]] ([[LLB]])
| alma_mater =
| occupation =
| occupation = {{hlist|Politician|teacher|lawyer}}
| profession = [[Educator]], school administrator
| signature =
| signature =
| footnotes =
}}
}}


'''George J. Furey''' {{postnominals|country=CAN|QC}} (born May 12, 1948 in [[St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador|St. John’s]], Newfoundland) is a Canadian Senator representing [[Newfoundland and Labrador]] and currently serves as the 45th [[Speaker of the Senate of Canada]].
'''George J. Furey''' {{post-nominals|country=CAN|PC|KC}} (born May 12, 1948) is a Canadian politician who served as the [[speaker of the Senate of Canada]] from 2015 to 2023. Furey was appointed as a senator from [[Newfoundland and Labrador]] in 1999 and was the longest-serving member of the Senate at the time of his retirement.


== Education and Career ==
== Background ==
Furey earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Education Degree from [[Memorial University of Newfoundland|Memorial University]] in 1970. He also completed a Master of Education Degree from Memorial in 1976. After graduating, he worked as a teacher for the Roman Catholic School Board in St. John's from 1969 to 1972. From 1972 to 1978, Furey was a Supervising Vice Principal with the Port-au-Port Roman Catholic School Board and from 1978 to 1980 Supervising Principal of the Placentia-St. Mary's Roman Catholic School Board.
Furey earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] Degree and a [[Bachelor of Education]] Degree from [[Memorial University of Newfoundland|Memorial University]] in 1970. He also completed a [[Master of Education]] Degree from Memorial in 1976. After graduating, he worked as a teacher for the Roman Catholic School Board in St. John's from 1969 to 1972. From 1972 to 1978, Furey was a supervising vice principal with the Port-au-Port Roman Catholic School Board, and from 1978 to 1980 supervising principal of the Placentia-St. Mary's Roman Catholic School Board.


After a career in education, he went on to earn a law degree from [[Dalhousie University]] in 1983. He was called to the Newfoundland Bar in 1984. Furey was later named a partner at the St. John's law firm of O'Brien, Furey & Hurley. By 1989, he was a senior partner at the law firm of O'Brien, Furey & Smith. He was appointed as Queen's Counsel in 1996.<ref>https://sencanada.ca/en/senators/furey-george-j/</ref>
After a career in education, he went on to earn a law degree from [[Dalhousie University]] in 1983. He was called to the Newfoundland Bar in 1984. Furey was later named a partner at the St. John's law firm of O'Brien, Furey & Hurley. By 1989, he was a senior partner at the law firm of O'Brien, Furey & Smith. He was appointed as Queen's Counsel in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sencanada.ca/en/senators/furey-george-j/|title=Senator George J. Furey|publisher=Senate of Canada|access-date=2023-02-24}}</ref>


⚫
Furey volunteers for volunteer groups, professional boards, and provincial commissions, including the Newfoundland Teachers' Association, [[Scouts Canada]], the St. Clare's Mercy Hospital Ethics Committee, the Gonzaga High School Council, and the Provincial Police Complaints Commission.
== Community Involvement ==
⚫
Furey given his time to numerous voluntary groups, professional boards and provincial commissions, including the Newfoundland Teachers' Association, Scouts Canada, the St. Clare's Mercy Hospital Ethics Committee, the Gonzaga High School Council and the Provincial Police Complaints Commission.


⚫
In 2020, Furey's son [[Andrew Furey|Andrew]] announced his [[2020 Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election|candidacy for leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador]] and was elected leader in August 2020, becoming the 14th [[Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/andrew-furey-kicks-off-liberal-campaign-1.5483552|title=Andrew Furey kicks off campaign for Liberal leadership|publisher=CBC News|date=March 3, 2020|access-date=2023-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/abbott-furey-liberal-leader-nl-1.5672194|title=Andrew Furey wins Liberal leadership race, will become 14th premier of N.L.|publisher=CBC News|date=August 3, 2020|access-date=2023-02-24}}</ref>
== Senate of Canada ==
⚫
Furey was summoned to the Senate of Canada on the recommendation of the Right Honourable [[Jean Chrétien]] on August 11, 1999. As a Senator, he has been a member of several Senate committees and has served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.<ref>https://lop.parl.ca/sites/ParlInfo/default/en_CA/People/Profile?personId=16524#comp</ref>


== Political career ==
On January 29, 2014, Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau announced that all Liberal Senators, including Furey, were removed from the Liberal caucus, and would continue sitting as unaffiliated Senators.<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/justin-trudeau-removes-senators-from-liberal-caucus-1.2515273</ref>
⚫
Furey was named to the Senate of Canada by Prime Minister [[Jean Chrétien]] on August 11, 1999. As a senator, he was a member of several Senate committees and served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lop.parl.ca/sites/ParlInfo/default/en_CA/People/Profile?personId=16524#comp|title=George J. Furey profile|publisher=Parliament of Canada|access-date=2023-02-24}}</ref>


On January 29, 2014, [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party]] leader [[Justin Trudeau]] announced that the party's caucus in the Senate would be dissolved. Some former Liberals, including Furey, would maintain a caucus, styled the [[Senate Liberal Caucus]], but with no formal affiliation with the main Liberal Party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/justin-trudeau-removes-senators-from-liberal-caucus-1.2515273|title=Justin Trudeau removes senators from Liberal caucus|publisher=CBC News|date=January 29, 2014|access-date=2023-02-24}}</ref>
⚫
Following the retirement of [[David Tkachuk]] on {{dts|2020|2|18}}, he is the longest-serving member of the Senate.


⚫
Following the retirement of [[David Tkachuk]] on {{dts|2020|2|18}}, he was the longest-serving member of the Senate until his own retirement. He was the last remaining senator that was appointed in the 20th century.
⚫
== Speaker of the Senate ==
⚫
On December 3, 2015, Furey was appointed Speaker of the Senate by Prime Minister [[Justin Trudeau]] replacing Senator [[Leo Housakos]]. He resigned from the Independent Liberal caucus upon assuming the Speaker's chair.<ref>https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/liberals-setting-up-advisory-board-to-fill-empty-senate-seats/article27577333/</ref>


⚫
=== Speaker of the Senate ===
⚫
As Speaker, Furey presides over a period of Senate reform. In his opening address, he highlighted a need for the Senate to reinvent itself and to fulfil its role, as intended by the constitution, as an independent institution "of sober second thought".<ref><nowiki>https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/furey-housakos-demers-senate-speaker-1.3348769</nowiki></ref> Furey also performs diplomatic duties in his role as Speaker, representing the Senate and Canada at home and abroad, meeting foreign dignitaries and visiting numerous countries over the course of his Speakership.
⚫
On December 3, 2015, Furey was appointed Speaker of the Senate by Prime Minister [[Justin Trudeau]] replacing Senator [[Leo Housakos]]. He resigned from the Senate Liberal Caucus upon assuming the speaker's chair.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/liberals-setting-up-advisory-board-to-fill-empty-senate-seats/article27577333/|title=Liberals to set up advisory board for Senate nominees, but B.C. won't take part|first=Gloria|last=Galloway|date=December 3, 2015|work=The Globe and Mail|access-date=2023-02-24}}</ref>


⚫
As Speaker, Furey presided over a period of Senate reform. In his opening address, he highlighted a need for the Senate to reinvent itself and to fulfil its role, as intended by the [[Constitution of Canada|Constitution]], as an independent institution "of sober second thought".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/furey-housakos-demers-senate-speaker-1.3348769|title=George Furey named as Senate Speaker, replacing Conservative Leo Housakos|publisher=CBC News|date=December 3, 2015|access-date=2023-02-24}}</ref>
⚫
In 2020, Furey's son [[Andrew Furey|Andrew]] announced his [[2020 Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election|candidacy for leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador]] and was elected leader in August 2020, becoming the 14th [[Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador]].<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/andrew-furey-kicks-off-liberal-campaign-1.5483552 ]</ref>

Furey retired from the Senate and as Speaker on May 12, 2023, upon turning 75, the mandatory retirement age for senators.

==Honours==
As is customary for former Speakers of the Senate, he was appointed to the [[King's Privy Council for Canada]] on the same day of his retirement. This gives him the right to the [[honorific]] prefix "The Honourable" and the [[post-nominal letters]] "PC" for life.<ref>{{cite web|title=King's Privy Council for Canada|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/privy-council/services/queens.html|website=Government of Canada|accessdate=15 May 2023}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />


{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Leo Housakos]] (acting)}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Speaker of the Senate of Canada]]|years=2015–2023}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Raymonde Gagné]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{Speakers of the Canadian Senate}}
{{Speakers of the Canadian Senate}}
{{Senate of Canada}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Furey, George J.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Furey, George J.}}
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:Canadian Queen's Counsel]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Canadian King's Counsel]]
[[Category:Speakers of the Senate of Canada]]
[[Category:Speakers of the Senate of Canada]]
[[Category:Members of the King's Privy Council for Canada]]
[[Category:Canadian senators from Newfoundland and Labrador]]
[[Category:Canadian senators from Newfoundland and Labrador]]
[[Category:Liberal Party of Canada senators]]
[[Category:Liberal Party of Canada senators]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Independent Canadian senators]]
[[Category:Independent Canadian senators]]
[[Category:People from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador]]
[[Category:Politicians from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador]]
[[Category:Memorial University of Newfoundland alumni]]
[[Category:Schulich School of Law alumni]]
[[Category:Schulich School of Law alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian politicians]]

Latest revision as of 15:46, 6 September 2023

The Honourable
George Furey
PC KC
Furey in 2016
Speaker of the Senate of Canada
In office
December 3, 2015 – May 12, 2023
Nominated byJustin Trudeau
Appointed byDavid Johnston
Preceded byLeo Housakos
Succeeded byRaymonde Gagné
Senator
from Newfoundland and Labrador
In office
August 11, 1999 – May 12, 2023
Nominated byJean Chrétien
Appointed byRoméo LeBlanc
Preceded byWilliam Petten
Succeeded byJudy White
Personal details
Born (1948-05-12) May 12, 1948 (age 76)
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
Political partyIndependent
Other political
affiliations		Liberal (until 2014)
Independent Liberal
(2014–2015)
Children4 (including Andrew)
Alma materMemorial University of Newfoundland (BA, BEd, MEd)
Dalhousie University (LLB)
Occupation
  • Politician
  • teacher
  • lawyer

George J. Furey PC KC (born May 12, 1948) is a Canadian politician who served as the speaker of the Senate of Canada from 2015 to 2023. Furey was appointed as a senator from Newfoundland and Labrador in 1999 and was the longest-serving member of the Senate at the time of his retirement.

Background[edit]

Furey earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Education Degree from Memorial University in 1970. He also completed a Master of Education Degree from Memorial in 1976. After graduating, he worked as a teacher for the Roman Catholic School Board in St. John's from 1969 to 1972. From 1972 to 1978, Furey was a supervising vice principal with the Port-au-Port Roman Catholic School Board, and from 1978 to 1980 supervising principal of the Placentia-St. Mary's Roman Catholic School Board.

After a career in education, he went on to earn a law degree from Dalhousie University in 1983. He was called to the Newfoundland Bar in 1984. Furey was later named a partner at the St. John's law firm of O'Brien, Furey & Hurley. By 1989, he was a senior partner at the law firm of O'Brien, Furey & Smith. He was appointed as Queen's Counsel in 1996.[1]

Furey volunteers for volunteer groups, professional boards, and provincial commissions, including the Newfoundland Teachers' Association, Scouts Canada, the St. Clare's Mercy Hospital Ethics Committee, the Gonzaga High School Council, and the Provincial Police Complaints Commission.

In 2020, Furey's son Andrew announced his candidacy for leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador and was elected leader in August 2020, becoming the 14th Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.[2][3]

Political career[edit]

Furey was named to the Senate of Canada by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien on August 11, 1999. As a senator, he was a member of several Senate committees and served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.[4]

On January 29, 2014, Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau announced that the party's caucus in the Senate would be dissolved. Some former Liberals, including Furey, would maintain a caucus, styled the Senate Liberal Caucus, but with no formal affiliation with the main Liberal Party.[5]

Following the retirement of David Tkachuk on February 18, 2020, he was the longest-serving member of the Senate until his own retirement. He was the last remaining senator that was appointed in the 20th century.

Speaker of the Senate[edit]

On December 3, 2015, Furey was appointed Speaker of the Senate by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau replacing Senator Leo Housakos. He resigned from the Senate Liberal Caucus upon assuming the speaker's chair.[6]

As Speaker, Furey presided over a period of Senate reform. In his opening address, he highlighted a need for the Senate to reinvent itself and to fulfil its role, as intended by the Constitution, as an independent institution "of sober second thought".[7]

Furey retired from the Senate and as Speaker on May 12, 2023, upon turning 75, the mandatory retirement age for senators.

Honours[edit]

As is customary for former Speakers of the Senate, he was appointed to the King's Privy Council for Canada on the same day of his retirement. This gives him the right to the honorific prefix "The Honourable" and the post-nominal letters "PC" for life.[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Senator George J. Furey". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  2. ^ "Andrew Furey kicks off campaign for Liberal leadership". CBC News. March 3, 2020. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  3. ^ "Andrew Furey wins Liberal leadership race, will become 14th premier of N.L." CBC News. August 3, 2020. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  4. ^ "George J. Furey profile". Parliament of Canada. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  5. ^ "Justin Trudeau removes senators from Liberal caucus". CBC News. January 29, 2014. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  6. ^ Galloway, Gloria (December 3, 2015). "Liberals to set up advisory board for Senate nominees, but B.C. won't take part". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  7. ^ "George Furey named as Senate Speaker, replacing Conservative Leo Housakos". CBC News. December 3, 2015. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  8. ^ "King's Privy Council for Canada". Government of Canada. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
Political offices
Preceded by
Leo Housakos (acting)
 Speaker of the Senate of Canada
2015–2023 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=George_Furey&oldid=1174139758"