With this appointment, Ms. Chaput becomes the first Franco-Manitoban woman to sit in the Senate.

During her career as a businesswoman, Ms. Maria Chaput has applied her dynamism and generosity on behalf of the Franco-Manitoban community, and has worked tirelessly to promote the province's economic development. 

For over 30 years, Ms. Chaput has been a prominent leader in the French-Canadian community and has received a number of distinctions for her exemplary community involvement. The active roles she has played in organizations as varied as the Société franco-manitobaine, the Fédération des aînés franco-manitobains and the Division scolaire manitobaine, along with her involvement in supporting the province's economic development, attest to her strong attachment to all aspects of Franco-Manitoban life.

Ms. Chaput attended the University of Saskatchewan and the Collège Universitaire de Saint-Boniface.

Ms. Chaput has three children.