Fernand Roberge
Encyclopedia
Fernard Roberge is a hotelier
and former Canadian Senator
.
In 1977, Roberge became the first French Canadian
to be chief executive officer
of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel
in Montreal and held the post for over 12 years. He was also part-owner of the hotel until selling his interest in 1991.
He was appointed to the upper house
by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney
in May 1993, a month before the Progressive Conservative leader retired from office. Mulroney and Roberge were long time friends. Mulroney had previously appointed Roberge to the board of Air Canada
in 1985.
Roberge had been one of the members of the "Ritz Gang" which helped Mulroney plot the downfall of then-Progressive Conservative leader Joe Clark
in 1983 precipitating the 1983 Progressive Conservative leadership convention
won by Mulroney.
In the lead up to the 1984 federal election
, Roberge was a member of the Progressive Conservative party's candidate selection committee for Quebec. After the election, he was appointed chairman of the Mulroney government's patronage
advisory committee for Quebec.
Shortly before the 1993 Progressive Conservative leadership convention
, Roberge endorsed Kim Campbell
for leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
.
In 1998, Roberge was named one of the 10 senators with the worst attendance record in the chamber. He resigned from the body in July 2000 at the age of 60 in order to spend more time on his business affairs saying in the statement that, "I want to concentrate all my energies on various business projects and this involvement becomes increasingly incompatible with Senate duties in Ottawa."
In 2007, he was appointed chairman of the Ritz-Carlton advisory committee.
Since the early 1990s Roberge has also President and Chief Executive Officer of Stratcorp Inc., a management consulting society where he assists with special projects involving international strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions and is a special advisor to the firm of Jones Lang LaSalle.
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
and former Canadian Senator
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
.
In 1977, Roberge became the first French Canadian
French Canadian
French Canadian or Francophone Canadian, , generally refers to the descendents of French colonists who arrived in New France in the 17th and 18th centuries...
to be chief executive officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Ritz-Carlton
The Ritz-Carlton is a brand of luxury hotels and resorts with 75 properties located in major cities and resorts in 24 countries worldwide...
in Montreal and held the post for over 12 years. He was also part-owner of the hotel until selling his interest in 1991.
He was appointed to the upper house
Upper house
An upper house, often called a senate, is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the lower house; a legislature composed of only one house is described as unicameral.- Possible specific characteristics :...
by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney
Brian Mulroney
Martin Brian Mulroney, was the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993 and was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1983 to 1993. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by the introduction of major economic reforms, such as the Canada-U.S...
in May 1993, a month before the Progressive Conservative leader retired from office. Mulroney and Roberge were long time friends. Mulroney had previously appointed Roberge to the board of Air Canada
Air Canada
Air Canada is the flag carrier and largest airline of Canada. The airline, founded in 1936, provides scheduled and charter air transport for passengers and cargo to 178 destinations worldwide. It is the world's tenth largest passenger airline by number of destinations, and the airline is a...
in 1985.
Roberge had been one of the members of the "Ritz Gang" which helped Mulroney plot the downfall of then-Progressive Conservative leader Joe Clark
Joe Clark
Charles Joseph "Joe" Clark, is a Canadian statesman, businessman, and university professor, and former journalist and politician...
in 1983 precipitating the 1983 Progressive Conservative leadership convention
Progressive Conservative leadership convention, 1983
The 1983 Progressive Conservative leadership election was held on June 11, 1983 in Ottawa, Ontario to elect a leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada...
won by Mulroney.
In the lead up to the 1984 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1984
The Canadian federal election of 1984 was held on September 4 of that year to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 33rd Parliament of Canada...
, Roberge was a member of the Progressive Conservative party's candidate selection committee for Quebec. After the election, he was appointed chairman of the Mulroney government's patronage
Patronage
Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings or popes have provided to musicians, painters, and sculptors...
advisory committee for Quebec.
Shortly before the 1993 Progressive Conservative leadership convention
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada leadership convention, 1993
The 1993 Progressive Conservative leadership election was held on June 13, 1993, to choose a leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. Kim Campbell won the vote in the second ballot...
, Roberge endorsed Kim Campbell
Kim Campbell
Avril Phædra Douglas "Kim" Campbell, is a Canadian politician, lawyer, university professor, diplomat, and writer. She served as the 19th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 25, 1993, to November 4, 1993...
for leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
.
In 1998, Roberge was named one of the 10 senators with the worst attendance record in the chamber. He resigned from the body in July 2000 at the age of 60 in order to spend more time on his business affairs saying in the statement that, "I want to concentrate all my energies on various business projects and this involvement becomes increasingly incompatible with Senate duties in Ottawa."
In 2007, he was appointed chairman of the Ritz-Carlton advisory committee.
Since the early 1990s Roberge has also President and Chief Executive Officer of Stratcorp Inc., a management consulting society where he assists with special projects involving international strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions and is a special advisor to the firm of Jones Lang LaSalle.