The Honourable Pat Carney broke new ground in journalism and Canadian politics, advancing the causes of equality, women’s rights, indigenous and minority rights during a lifetime of public service.

She was the first woman in each federal government cabinet post she held, which included Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, Minister for International Trade, and President of the Treasury Board of Canada.

Carney brought together all her fellow B.C. MPs to form the British Columbia Caucus, which helped achieve the recognition of B.C. and Yukon as the fifth region of Canada.

As cabinet minister, she negotiated national and multilateral treaties, worked to ensure the sustainability of B.C.’s resource sectors, and joined in missions to heighten provincial profile in Asia Pacific relations.  She initiated the first task force to reduce barriers to women in the public service.

As a member of the Senate of Canada for 18 years, she chaired the Energy and Environment Committee, was vice-chair of the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee and was a member of the Aboriginal and Fisheries Committee.  Her leadership led to the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act, preserving heritage light stations along Canada’s coasts and B.C.’s maritime heritage.

Carney’s first love was journalism.  As a business columnist for the Province and Vancouver Sun newspapers, her insightful reporting of business news and trends in the 1960s enlightened readers about economic issues in B.C.  She is a best-selling author of fiction and non-fiction books.

A founder of the Arthritis Research Canada, Carney has for more than 20 years promoted arthritis research.  Affected by arthritis herself, she advocates for treatment and rehabilitation for people with arthritis.  She served as adjunct professor at the School of Community and Regional Planning at the University of British Columbia.