Viola Leger Obituary

Viola Leger was an American-born Canadian actress and politician who served in the Senate of Canada from 2001 to 2005.

Born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Leger received a BA and a B.Ed from the Universite de Moncton, and an M.F.A (Theatre Education) from Boston University.

Leger was appointed to the Senate at the recommendation of Prime Minister Jean Chretien, in 2001, representing the Senatorial division of L’Acadie, New Brunswick. She was a member of the Liberal caucus.

Leger retired from the Senate when she reached the age of 75. In 1989, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 2007, she was awarded the Order of New Brunswick. Leger received a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award in 2013 for her work as an actress.