Jacques Saada, PC (Arabic: جاك سعادة; born 22 November 1947) is a Canadian politician and former cabinet minister.

Saada is a teacher and linguist by profession and was Chief Executive Officer of a translation firm, a consultant and a lecturer in translation prior to entering politics.

He was first elected to the House of Commons of Canada as a Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) from the Quebec riding of Brossard—La Prairie in the 1997 federal election. He served as Deputy Government Whip from 2001 to 2003. When Paul Martin became Prime Minister of Canada on 12 December 2003, he had Saada appointed as a privy councillor(giving him the prenominal "The Honourable" and the postnominal "PC" for life) and to the Cabinet as Minister Responsible for Democratic Reform and Government House Leader.[citation needed]

Following the 2004 election with the election of a Liberal minority government, Saada was transferred to the positions of Minister for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister responsible for La Francophonie.[citation needed]

Saada was born in Tunis, the main city of Tunisia, to a Jewish family. In the 2004 election his campaign was the target of anti-Semitic graffiti, letters, and phone calls.[citation needed]

Saada was defeated in the 2006 election, losing his seat in Brossard—La Prairie to Bloc Québécois candidate Marcel Lussier. His former constituency assistant, Alexandra Mendès, defeated Lussier in the 2008 election.[citation needed]

He was the Quebec Chair for the Rae campaign for the leadership of the Liberal Party. In September 2007, Saada was named president and chief executive officer of the Quebec Aerospace Association (AQA). He resigned from that position in December 2011.

Electoral record (partial)

vte2000 Canadian federal election: Brossard—La Prairie
PartyCandidateVotes%±%Expenditures
LiberalJacques Saada26,80652.69$63,331
Bloc QuébécoisNicolas Tétrault16,75832.94$66,058
AllianceRichard Bélisle2,9735.84$8,956
Progressive ConservativeSylvain St-Louis2,7835.47$50
New DemocraticClémence Provencher8521.67none listed
Natural LawSylvia Larrass5281.04none listed
Marxist–LeninistNormand Chouinard1720.34$10
Total valid votes/expenditures limit50,872100.00$69,269
Total rejected ballots1,067
Turnout51,93966.13
Electors on the lists78,535
Sources: and .

External links

Cabinet posts (3)
27th Canadian Ministry (2003–2006) – Cabinet of Paul Martin
PredecessorOfficeSuccessor
legislation enactedMinister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec 2005–2006Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Minister of State 2004–2005 styled as Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebeclegislation enacted
Minister of State 2003–2004 styled as Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Special Cabinet Responsibilities
PredecessorTitleSuccessor
Denis CoderreMinister responsible for La Francophonie 2004–2006Josée Verner
position createdMinister responsible for Democratic Reform 2003–2004Mauril Bélanger
Special Parliamentary Responsibilities
PredecessorTitleSuccessor
Don BoudriaLeader of the Government in the House of Commons 2003–2004Tony Valeri