George Furey

The Honourable George Furey
File:George J. Furey.jpg
Speaker of the Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office December 3, 2015
Nominated by	Justin Trudeau
Appointed by	David Johnston
Preceded by	Leo Housakos
Senator from Newfoundland and Labrador
Incumbent
Assumed office August 11, 1999
Appointed by	Jean Chrétien
Preceded by	William Petten
Personal details
Born	(1948-05-12) May 12, 1948 St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Political party	Liberal (to 2015) Independent (2015-present)
Occupation	Canadian Senator
Profession	Educator, School Administrator
Religion	Roman Catholic

George J. Furey, QC (born May 12, 1948 in St. John's, Newfoundland) is a Canadian Senator representing Newfoundland and Labrador.

Furey worked as a teacher for the Roman Catholic School Board in St. John's from 1969 to 1972. From 1972 to 1978, he was a Supervising Vice Principal with the Port-au-Port Roman Catholic School Board and from 1978-80 Supervising Principal of the Placentia-St. Mary's Roman Catholic School Board.

He then embarked on a second career after earning his law degree from Dalhousie University in 1983. He was named Queen's Counsel in 1996.

On August 11, 1999, Furey was appointed to the Senate on the advice of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. He sits as a Liberal and serves as Chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

On January 29, 2014, Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau announced all Liberal Senators, including Furey, were removed from the Liberal caucus, and would continue sitting as Independents. According to Senate Opposition leader James Cowan, the Senators will still refer to themselves as Liberals even if they are no longer members of the parliamentary Liberal caucus.

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.

External links

• Liberal Senate Forum