Senator Downe was appointed to the Senate of Canada on June 26, 2003.

Senator Downe lives in Charlottetown with his spouse and their two children.

Present Member of:

• Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (Vice Chair)
• Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
• Member of the Executive of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association

Formerly a Member of:

• Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament (former Joint Chair)
• Standing Committee on National Finance
• Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
• Standing Committee on Rules, Rights and Procedures of Parliament

Previous Career:

• Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of Canada
• Director of Appointments, Office of the Prime Minister
• Executive Assistant to the Minister of Labour
• Executive Assistant to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
• Executive Assistant to the Secretary of State, Veterans Affairs and ACOA
• Executive Assistant to the Premier of Prince Edward Island