Allister Surette

{{Infobox officeholder

| image =

| name = Allister Surette

| caption =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|9|21}}

| birth_place = Yarmouth, Nova Scotia{{cite web|url=https://www.usainteanne.ca/en/news/mr-jean-douglas-comeau-and-mr-allister-surette-named-to-the-rank-of-knight-in-the-order-of-the-palmes-academiques|title=Mr. Jean-Douglas Comeau and Mr. Allister Surette named to the rank of Knight in the Order of the Palmes Académiques|publisher=Université Sainte-Anne|access-date=December 19, 2024}}

| honorific-prefix = The Honourable

|honorific-suffix = ECNS

| office = Canadian Senator
from Nova Scotia

| term_start = December 19, 2024

| term_end =

| nominator = Justin Trudeau

| appointed = Mary Simon

| predecessor =

| office1 = President of Université Sainte-Anne

| predecessor1 = André Roberge

| successor1 = Kenneth Deveau

| term_start1 = July 1, 2011

| term_end1 = June 30, 2024

| assembly2 = Nova Scotia House of

| constituency_AM2 =Argyle

| term_start2 = May 25, 1993

| term_end2 = March 24, 1998

| predecessor2 = Neil LeBlanc

| successor2 = Neil LeBlanc

| party = Independent Senators Group

| otherparty = Liberal (until 1998)

}}

Allister Wilbert Surette (born September 21, 1961) is a Canadian politician who has served as a senator from Nova Scotia since December 2024. He was the President and Vice-Chancellor of Université Sainte-Anne from 2011 to 2024 and previously represented the electoral district of Argyle in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1993 to 1998 as a member of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.{{cite web|url=http://nslegislature.ca/pdfs/about/ConstituencyHistories/argyle-barrington.pdf|title=Electoral History for Argyle|publisher=Nova Scotia Legislative Library|accessdate=2015-06-19}}

Early life and education

Born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Surette was raised in the Acadian community of Lower West Pubnico.{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.ns.ca/humr/dhr/minister/min_bio.htm|title=Cabinet biography|publisher=Government of Nova Scotia|accessdate=2015-06-19|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19980128032534/http://www.gov.ns.ca/humr/dhr/minister/min_bio.htm|archivedate=January 28, 1998}} He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Education from Saint Mary's University in 1984. He was a high school teacher by career.

Political career

Surette entered provincial politics in the 1993 election, defeating Progressive Conservative cabinet minister Neil LeBlanc in the Argyle riding.{{cite web|url=http://electionsnovascotia.ca/sites/default/files/General%20Election%201993.pdf |title=Returns of General Election for the House of Assembly 1993 |publisher=Elections Nova Scotia |year=1993 |accessdate=2014-10-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006070337/http://electionsnovascotia.ca/sites/default/files/General%20Election%201993.pdf |archivedate=2014-10-06 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.herald.ns.ca/cgi-bin/home/displaypackstory?1993/05/26+107.raw+PE93Elect |title=Liberal sweep claims cabinet ministers |work=The Chronicle Herald |date=May 26, 1993 |accessdate=2014-10-06 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000309020548/http://www.herald.ns.ca/cgi-bin/home/displaypackstory?1993%2F05%2F26+107.raw+PE93Elect |archivedate=March 9, 2000 |url-status=dead }} Surette served as Deputy Government House Leader prior to serving as the Special Policy Advisor on Acadian and Francophone governance for the public school system, in the Executive Council of Nova Scotia as Minister of Human Resources, Minister in charge of the Youth Secretariat and the Office of Acadian Affairs, and Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs.{{cite web|url=http://www.digbycourier.ca/News/2010-11-25/article-1993868/Surette-to-take-helm-of-Universite-Sainte-Anne-/1|title=Surette to take helm of Université Sainte-Anne|work=The Digby Courier|date=November 25, 2010|accessdate=2021-03-17|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20141007013843/http://www.digbycourier.ca/News/2010-11-25/article-1993868/Surette-to-take-helm-of-Universite-Sainte-Anne-/1|archivedate=2014-10-07|url-status=live}}

In a re-match from 1993,{{cite web|url=http://www.herald.ns.ca/cgi-bin/home/displaypackstory?1998/03/07+182.raw+PE98Mar07+2 |title=Heavyweights duke it out in Acadian ridings |work=The Chronicle Herald |date=March 7, 1998 |accessdate=2014-10-06 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050124004940/http://www.herald.ns.ca/cgi-bin/home/displaypackstory?1998%2F03%2F07+182.raw+PE98Mar07+2 |archivedate=January 24, 2005 |url-status=dead }} Surette was defeated by LeBlanc when he ran for re-election in 1998.{{cite web|url=http://electionsnovascotia.ca/sites/default/files/Dist03.pdf|title=Election Returns, 1998 (Argyle)|publisher=Elections Nova Scotia|accessdate=2014-10-06}}{{cite web|url=http://www.herald.ns.ca/cgi-bin/home/displaypackstory?1998/03/25+189.raw+PE98Mar25+2 |title=Six cabinet ministers shelved |work=The Chronicle Herald |date=March 25, 1998 |accessdate=2014-10-06 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041125104751/http://www.herald.ns.ca/cgi-bin/home/displaypackstory?1998%2F03%2F25+189.raw+PE98Mar25+2 |archivedate=November 25, 2004 |url-status=dead }}

Collège de l'Acadie

Between 1998 and 2003, he was chief executive officer of the Collège de l'Acadie, which was the only French-language community college in Nova Scotia.

Université Sainte-Anne

In 2003, Surette became vice-president of Development and Partnerships of Université Sainte-Anne.{{cite web|url=http://www.thevanguard.ca/News/Regional/2014-05-09/article-3718126/Allister-Surette-appointed-transition-co-ordinator-for-Bridgetown/1|title=Allister Surette appointed transition co-ordinator for Bridgetown|work=The Vanguard|date=May 9, 2014|accessdate=2014-10-06}}

In November 2010, Surette was named president and Vice-Chancellor of Université Sainte-Anne. He took office as president on July 1, 2011.

In October 2019, Surette was appointed Chair of the Association of Atlantic Universities, an advocacy organization working on behalf of the region's 16 universities.{{cite news |title=Allister Surette Appointed Chair of Association of Atlantic Universities |url=https://www.usainteanne.ca/nouvelles/20191008450/nouvelles/allister-surette-nomme-president-de-l-association-des-universites-de-l-atlantique |accessdate=October 13, 2019 |work=Université Sainte-Anne |date=October 8, 2019}}

During Surette's tenure, the university achieved a record full-time student population of 540 students for the 2019–2020 academic year, exceeding the previous record of 481 students in 2008.{{cite web |title=A Record Number of Enrolments at Université Sainte-Anne |url=https://www.usainteanne.ca/nouvelles/20191001449/nouvelles/un-nombre-d-inscriptions-record-pour-l-universite-sainte-anne |website=usainteanne.ca |publisher=Université Sainte-Anne |date=October 1, 2019|accessdate=October 13, 2019}}{{cite web |title=New record for enrolment at Université Sainte-Anne |url=https://www.thevanguard.ca/news/new-record-for-enrolment-at-universite-sainte-anne-358962/ |website=thevanguard.ca |publisher=Tri-County Vanguard |date=October 2, 2019|accessdate=October 13, 2019}}

During the third term of Surette's presidency at Sainte-Anne, in 2022, the faculty union engaged in a strike{{cite web |last1=Palmeter |first1=Paul |title=No end in sight to Université Sainte-Anne faculty strike |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/no-end-in-sight-to-universit%C3%A9-sainte-anne-faculty-strike-1.6410475 |website=CBC News |access-date=9 April 2022}} that was the longest university strike in Nova Scotia's history and one of the longest in Canadian history.

In September 2023, a student campaign, SA Change Now, posted anonymous survivors' and victims' accounts of sexual harassment, assault, and rape at Sainte-Anne on a website and on its Instagram account.{{cite news |last1=Cooke |first1=Alex |title=Dozens of sexual assaults alleged at N.S. university, police investigating |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9945468/universite-sainte-anne-sexual-assault-allegations/ |access-date=23 October 2023 |agency=Global News}} The campaign called on the university to acknowledge rape culture, apologize to its victims, and promise to enact the campaign's five suggested reforms.

Surette ended his mandate as President and Vice-Chancellor of Sainte-Anne, on June 30, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.usainteanne.ca/en/news/allister-surette-to-complete-his-term-of-office-in-june-2024|title=Allister Surette to Complete His Term of Office in June 2024|publisher=Université Sainte-Anne|date=November 20, 2023|access-date=May 29, 2025}}

Senate

On December 19, 2024, he was summoned to the Senate of Canada by Governor General Mary Simon, on the advice of prime minister Justin Trudeau.{{cite web|title=Prime Minister announces the appointment of senators|url=https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2024/12/19/prime-minister-announces-appointment-senators|publisher=Canadian Government|date=December 19, 2024|access-date=December 19, 2024}} On February 12, 2025, Surette announced that he had joined the Independent Senators Group.{{cite web|url=https://www.isgsenate.ca/single-post/allister-surette|title=Senator Allister Surette Joins the Independent Senators Group|publisher=Independent Senators Group|date=February 12, 2025|access-date=May 29, 2025}}

Other work

From 1999 to 2003, Surette was a member of the Board of Trustees of du Réseau des cégeps et collèges francophones du Canada (RCCFC), serving as chair from September 2000 to November 2002.

In December 1999, Surette was elected chairman of the executive committee for the 2004 Acadian World Congress. Surette had previously served as President of the organizing committee and then served as chairman of the board of directors.{{cite web |title=Press Release: Announcing Executive Committee |url=https://www.acadian.org/culture/acadian-world-congresscongres-mondial-acadien/2004-acadian-world-congress/news-releases-cma-2004/press-release-announcing-executive-committee/ |website=acadian.org |date=December 1999|accessdate=December 17, 2019}}

In November 2000, Surette was appointed to a provincial advisory committee created help meet the needs of the Acadian community.{{cite web |title=Committee Created to Assist Acadian Community |url=https://novascotia.ca/News/release/?id=20001107004 |website=novascotia.ca |publisher=Province of Nova Scotia |date=November 7, 2000|accessdate=December 17, 2019}}

In December 2003, Surette was appointed facilitator by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to lead discussions between herring fishers from Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and their respective provincial governments to seek solutions to the conflict in the herring fishery in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.[https://www.canada.ca/en/fisheries-oceans/news/2020/10/biography---allister-surette.html Biography - Allister Surette] Government of Canada

In March 2006, Surette was appointed by the Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to facilitate an independent process to resolve a dispute between fishers from Prince Edward Island and the Magdalen Islands regarding lobster fishing on MacLeod's Ledge.

From 2007 to 2018, Surette served as a member of the board of directors for Assumption Life.

In May 2011, Surette was appointed as a member of the board of trustees for the Voluntary Sector Professional Capacity Trust, a trust to support developing human resource policies, business planning and assessing the needs of an organization.{{cite web |title=Voluntary Sector Funding Open for Applications |url=https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20110511002 |website=novascotia.ca |publisher=Province of Nova Scotia |date=May 11, 2011|accessdate=December 17, 2019}}

In July 2012, Surette was one of three members appointed to serve on an expert panel reviewing the Regional Development Authority model.{{cite web |title=Province Initiates Independent Review of Regional Development Authority Model |url=https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20120719003 |website=novascotia.ca |publisher=Province of Nova Scotia |date=July 19, 2012|accessdate=December 17, 2019}}

In February 2014, Surette was appointed to the inaugural Board of Directors of the Western Regional Enterprise Network (WREN).{{cite web |title=Research Nova Scotia Inaugural Board Appointed |url=https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20140213002 |website=novascotia.ca |publisher=Province of Nova Scotia |date=February 13, 2014|accessdate=December 17, 2019}}

In May 2014, Surette was appointed transition co-ordinator to oversee the dissolution of the town of Bridgetown into the Municipality of the County of Annapolis.

In December 2018, Surette was appointed to the inaugural Board of Directors of Research Nova Scotia.{{cite web |title=Research Nova Scotia Inaugural Board Appointed |url=https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20181204003 |website=novascotia.ca |publisher=Province of Nova Scotia |date=December 4, 2018|accessdate=December 17, 2019}}

In December 2019, Surette was appointed chair of the organizing committee for the 2024 Acadian World Congress.{{cite web |title=Executive members appointed to CMA 2024 organizing committee, with Allister Surette as chair |url=https://www.thevanguard.ca/news/local/executive-members-appointed-to-cma-2024-organizing-committee-with-allister-surette-as-chair-389150/ |website=thevanguard.ca |publisher=Tri-County Vanguard |date=December 17, 2019|accessdate=December 17, 2019}}

In October 2020, Surette was named the Federal Special Representative, a neutral third-party whose responsibility was to communicate with and rebuild trust between commercial and Indigenous fishers in Southwestern Nova Scotia.[https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/government-of-canada-appoints-federal-special-representative-to-facilitate-discussions-between-commercial-lobster-industry-and-first-nations-in-atlantic-canada-801133191.html Government of Canada appoints Federal Special Representative to facilitate discussions between commercial lobster industry and First Nations in Atlantic Canada] newswire.ca In March 2021, Surette released his Final Report as Federal Special Representative.[https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/aboriginal-autochtones/moderate-livelihood-subsistance-convenable/surette-report-rapport-mar-2021-eng.html Implementing the right to fish in pursuit of a moderate livelihood: Rebuilding trust and establishing a constructive path forward] Government of Canada

Recognition and awards

In 2004, Surette was awarded the Prix du Père Léger Comeau.{{cite web |title=Allister Surette to become Sainte-Anne president |url=https://www.pressreader.com/canada/tri-county-vanguard/20101130/281612416804959 |via=PressReader |publisher=Yarmouth Vanguard |date=November 30, 2010|accessdate=December 17, 2019}}

In October 2008, Surette was awarded the Order of La Pléiade which recognizes parliamentarians and community leaders for outstanding work in advancing francophone causes.{{cite web |title=Acadian, Francophone Parliamentarians, Community Leaders Honoured at Awards Ceremony |url=https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20081023006 |website=novascotia.ca |publisher=Province of Nova Scotia |date=October 23, 2008|accessdate=December 17, 2019}}

In 2010, Surette was made an honorary member of the Executive Council by the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.

In October 2019, Surette was one of seven people named to the Order of the Francophones of America which recognizes commitment to the French language and culture in the Americas.{{cite web |last1=CNW Telbec |title=Le Conseil supérieur de la langue française remet les insignes de l'Ordre des francophones d'Amérique et le Prix du 3-Juillet-1608 |url=https://www.newswire.ca/fr/news-releases/le-conseil-superieur-de-la-langue-francaise-remet-les-insignes-de-l-ordre-des-francophones-d-amerique-et-le-prix-du-3-juillet-1608-854080964.html |website=newswire.ca |publisher=Cision |accessdate=October 10, 2019}}