Ottawa — Prime Minister Jean Chrétien handed a multimillion-dollar 'thank you' to a Liberal MP who helped his 1990 leadership bid, making Mac Harb a senator Tuesday at age 49.
With only months left before his retirement, Mr. Chrétien summoned the Ottawa MP to the Senate in an appointment that makes him eligible to sit in the upper chamber until Nov. 10, 2028, Mr. Harb's 75th birthday.
The MP was instrumental in delivering Eastern Ontario delegates for Mr. Chrétien's 1990 leadership bid. His appointment makes him the third senator under age 50 nominated in the last year.
Mr. Harb, who is the first ever Lebanese-Canadian senator, called it an honour to serve his adopted country.
"My love for Canada is larger than my love for life," Mr. Harb said.
"Canada has given me all that I have and all that I need. For every goal and vision we hold, Canada provides the opportunity."
The NDP immediately dubbed Mr. Harb the "$4.1-million man," estimating that he stands to collect that much if he stays on until the mandatory retirement age of 75.
The current salary for senators is $114,000, after rising in each of the last three years according to a set scale.
Mr. Harb's nomination sets up a potential fight for the nomination in Ottawa-Centre that would seem like a sequel to the long-running feud between Mr. Chrétien and Paul Martin.
One certain candidate for the nomination is Richard Mahoney, a local lawyer and a top member of Mr. Martin's inner circle of advisers.
His opponents will likely include former Chrétien employee Penny Collenette.
The Prime Minister's former director of appointments and wife of Transport Minister David Collenette, she is a director at Holt, Renfrew & Co. Ltd. and holds roles at Harvard University and the University of Ottawa.
A Liberal executive in Ottawa-Centre said Mr. Harb will be missed as an MP.
"Constituents in Ottawa-Centre that had questions, concerns or issues always had a champion in Mac," said riding president Don Moors.
"Whether it was immigration or social services, he was very concerned about the needs of constituents."
The average age in the Senate is 65, but Mr. Harb's nomination follows those of Mr. Chrétien's 49-year-old chief of staff, Percy Downe, and of 47-year-old Pierrette Ringuette.
Mr. Harb will be joined by New Brunswick Lt.-Gov. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell, 69, a doctor and former provincial cabinet minister responsible for families.
Both will sit as Liberals.
The third appointment is Madeleine Plamondon, the 71-year-old head of a Quebec consumer-aid service and a resident of Mr. Chrétien's home town. She has no political affiliation and will sit as an independent.
There will likely be more Senate appointments before Mr. Chrétien's scheduled retirement in February.
The 105-seat upper chamber holds three vacancies — in Ontario, Nova Scotia and Alberta.
Current standings are: 66 Liberal, 30 Conservative, five Independent and one Canadian Alliance.
When Pierre Trudeau retired in 1984, the Liberal government named nine senators under age 50.
The youngest-ever senator was Liberal-Conservative William Miller, who was nominated at age 32 in 1867. About 100 senators under age 50 have been summoned since 1900.
