2025 -- H 5147

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LC000327

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

WELCOMING THE HONOURABLE BERNADETTE JORDAN, CONSUL GENERAL OF

CANADA IN BOSTON TO THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, J. Brien, Chippendale, Phillips,
Solomon, Fogarty, Tanzi, Shallcross Smith, and Ajello

     Date Introduced: January 23, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Bernadette Jordan grew up in a small fishing community on the South Shore

of Nova Scotia. She began what would become a lifelong dedication to her community and

Canada as a community volunteer while still in junior high school, and went on to attain her

Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from St. Francis Xavier University; and

     WHEREAS, Consul General Jordan gained vast experience working in the field of

economic development and in community news, where she spent almost 12 years as the special

projects manager for newspaper publisher, Lighthouse Publishing. She later successfully worked

in fund development with the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore; and

     WHEREAS, In 2015, Consul General Jordan became the first woman elected to the seat

of the federal riding of South Shore-St. Margarets in the House of Commons. She soon served as

Chair of the Atlantic Liberal Caucus, and was Chair of Fisheries and Oceans. In 2019, she

became the first Minister of Rural Economic Development, and was later named Minister of

Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, which ultimately made her the first woman

elected in Nova Scotia to hold a seat at the Cabinet table. In 2021, she returned to her fund

development roots as the national director of philanthropy with Shelter Movers; and

     WHEREAS, In 2023, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan was named Consul General of

Canada in Boston, and is one of twelve Consulate Generals across the United States, with each

representing a different region in our country. This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the

establishment of a Canadian Consulate in Boston which encompasses responsibilities and

engagement with the States of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and

Vermont; and

     WHEREAS, Currently, Canada is the number one exporter for New England and

experiences continuing growth in mutual supply chains with Rhode Island and our surrounding

States; and

     WHEREAS, With the admirable intent to work and explore such shared areas of interest

including the Blue Economy and Ocean Protection, Consul General Jordan hopes to advance our

shared values, priorities, and concerns on equality and climate change, to name but a few areas of

mutual connection; and

     WHEREAS, Over the course of her lifetime thus far, Consul General Jordan has received

multiple awards in the areas of advertising, promotion, business campaigns and volunteerism,

was the recipient of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (Nova Scotia) for service to Nova Scotia

and Canada, and has served with myriad community organizations; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

welcomes the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Consul General of Canada in Boston to our State.

We furthermore wish her good health, fulfillment, and much success as she works towards

strengthening bilateral relationships for the betterment of Canada, New England, and the world

community; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Honourable Consul General Bernadette

Jordan.

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