Pana Merchant

Who is Pana Merchant?

Pana Pappas Merchant is a Liberal Senator from the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. A teacher and business woman, Mrs. Merchant has played an active role in cultural, political, and advocacy groups in Saskatchewan. Her charitable and volunteer work has been with Canadian Parents for French, Immigrant Women, and the CWL. She is a past Board Member of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation; The Mackenzie Art Gallery Volunteers; and the Regina Volunteer centre.

Mrs. Merchant obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan and a Teaching Diploma from the University of Regina. She is fluent in English and Greek and has a good facility in French. She was appointed on December 12, 2002 on the advice of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.

On January 29, 2014, Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau announced all Liberal Senators, including Merchant, were removed from the Liberal caucus, and would continue sitting as Independents. According to Senate Opposition leader James Cowan, the Senators will still refer to themselves as Liberals even if they are no longer members of the parliamentary Liberal caucus.