Jacques Saada, PC (Arabic: جاك سعادة; born 22 November 1947) is a Canadian politician and former cabinet minister.

Jacques Saada
Member of Parliament
for Brossard—La Prairie
In office
2 June 1997 – 23 January 2006
Preceded byfirst member
Succeeded byMarcel Lussier
Personal details
Born22 November 1947 (75 years old)
Tunis, Tunisia
Political partyLiberal
Residence(s)Brossard, Quebec, Canada
ProfessionTeacher, businessman

Saada is a teacher and linguist by profession and was Chief Executive Officer of a translation firm, a consultant and a lecturer in translation prior to entering politics.

He was first elected to the House of Commons of Canada as a Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) from the Quebec riding of Brossard—La Prairie in the 1997 federal election. He served as Deputy Government Whip from 2001 to 2003. When Paul Martin became Prime Minister of Canada on 12 December 2003, he had Saada appointed as a privy councillor(giving him the prenominal "The Honourable" and the postnominal "PC" for life) and to the Cabinet as Minister Responsible for Democratic Reform and Government House Leader.[citation needed]

Following the 2004 election with the election of a Liberal minority government, Saada was transferred to the positions of Minister for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister responsible for La Francophonie.[citation needed]

Saada was born in Tunis, the main city of Tunisia, to a Jewish family. In the 2004 election his campaign was the target of anti-Semitic graffiti, letters, and phone calls.[citation needed]

Saada was defeated in the 2006 election, losing his seat in Brossard—La Prairie to Bloc Québécois candidate Marcel Lussier. His former constituency assistant, Alexandra Mendès, defeated Lussier in the 2008 election.[citation needed]

He was the Quebec Chair for the Rae campaign for the leadership of the Liberal Party. In September 2007, Saada was named president and chief executive officer of the Quebec Aerospace Association (AQA). He resigned from that position in December 2011.[1]

Electoral record (partial)

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2000 Canadian federal election: Brossard—La Prairie
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Jacques Saada 26,806 52.69 $63,331
Bloc Québécois Nicolas Tétrault 16,758 32.94 $66,058
Alliance Richard Bélisle 2,973 5.84 $8,956
Progressive Conservative Sylvain St-Louis 2,783 5.47 $50
New Democratic Clémence Provencher 852 1.67 none listed
Natural Law Sylvia Larrass 528 1.04 none listed
Marxist–Leninist Normand Chouinard 172 0.34 $10
Total valid votes/expenditures limit 50,872 100.00 $69,269
Total rejected ballots 1,067
Turnout 51,939 66.13
Electors on the lists 78,535
Sources: Official Results, Elections Canada and Financial Returns, Elections Canada.

References

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  1. ^ "L'ex-ministre Jacques Saada quitte l'AQA". Les affaires (in French). 9 December 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
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27th Ministry – Cabinet of Paul Martin
Cabinet posts (3)
Predecessor Office Successor
legislation enacted Minister of the Economic Development Agency
of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

2005–2006
Jean-Pierre Blackburn
  Minister of State
2004–2005
styled as Minister of the Economic Development Agency
of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
legislation enacted
  Minister of State
2003–2004
styled as Leader of the Government
in the House of Commons
 
Special Cabinet Responsibilities
Predecessor Title Successor
Denis Coderre Minister responsible for La Francophonie
2004–2006
Josée Verner
position created Minister responsible for Democratic Reform
2003–2004
Mauril Bélanger
Special Parliamentary Responsibilities
Predecessor Title Successor
Don Boudria Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
2003–2004
Tony Valeri