Joan Cook (born October 6, 1934) was a Canadian Senator for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Joan Cook | |
|---|---|
| Senator from Newfoundland & Labrador | |
| In office March 6, 1998 – October 6, 2009 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Jean Chrétien Paul Martin Stephen Harper |
| Preceded by | Gerald Ottenheimer |
| Succeeded by | Elizabeth Marshall |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 6, 1934 English Harbour West, Newfoundland |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Spouse | Widow |
| Profession | Businesswoman |
Biography edit
Cook was born in English Harbour West, Dominion of Newfoundland. In her working life, Cook was, variously, a businesswoman who served as vice-president of her family's automobile dealership, Cook and Jones Motors, an executive with CJON radio and television, and an executive with Robert Simpson Eastern Ltd.
Cook has also been heavily involved with charitable efforts, chairing fundraising campaigns for Newfoundland's branch of the Canadian Cancer Society. Cook also served on the board of directors for Newfoundland and Labrador's Pottle Center for mental health.
After twice running unsuccessfully as a Liberal candidate in the 1993 and 1996 Newfoundland and Labrador general elections, Cook was appointed to the Senate of Canada by Governor General Roméo LeBlanc on March 6, 1998, on the advice of Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. As a senator, Cook served on many committees, such as the senate committee on Fisheries and Oceans. Cook also served as opposition whip of the senate from 2005 to 2007.
Due to the mandatory retirement age for Canadian Senators, Cook resigned from her appointment as Newfoundland and Labrador Senator on October 6, 2009.
Electoral history edit
| Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi – 1996 Newfoundland and Labrador general election | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | +/- | |
| New Democratic | Jack Harris | 2,800 | |||
| Liberal | Joan Cook | 1,661 | |||
| Progressive Conservative | Cy Mills | 902 | |||
| Independent | Jason Crummey | 120 | |||
| St. John's East – 1993 Newfoundland and Labrador general election | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | +/- | |
| New Democratic | Jack Harris | 2,336 | |||
| Liberal | Joan Cook | 1,728 | |||
| Progressive Conservative | Sean Fitzgerald | 1,285 | |||