Biographical Note

New Permanent Observer of Inter-Parliamentary Union

 

Presents Letter of Appointment

 

(Based on information provided by the Protocol and Liaison Service)

The new Permanent Observer of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to the United Nations, Patricia Ann “Paddy” Torsney, presented her letter of appointment to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki‑moon today.

Until her appointment, Ms. Torsney, a national of Canada, was Vice-President of the Capital Hill Group, a national Government relations firm, since 2008.  She served as Deputy Principal Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition between 2006 and 2008.  In 2006, she was elected President of IPU’s 12+ Group having served as President of the Union’s Canadian Group from 2002 to 2006.

Ms. Torsney represented Burlington, Ontario, in Parliament from 1993 and 2006, during which time she was also Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment between 1998 and 2000, and to the Minister for International Cooperation from 2004 to 2006.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record