Raymond Lavigne
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The Honourable Raymond Lavigne |
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|---|---|
| Senator for Montarville, Quebec | |
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In office March 26, 2002 – March 21, 2011 |
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| Appointed by | Jean Chrétien |
| Preceded by | Sheila Finestone |
| Succeeded by | Josée Verner |
| Member of the Canadian Parliament for Verdun—Saint-Henri—Saint-Paul—Pointe Saint-Charles Verdun—Saint-Paul (1993–1997) Verdun—Saint-Henri (1997–2000) |
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In office October 25, 1993 – March 25, 2002 |
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| Preceded by | Gilbert Chartrand |
| Succeeded by | Liza Frulla |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 16, 1945 |
| Political party |
Independent Liberal (2006-2011) |
| Other political affiliations |
Liberal Party of Canada (1993-2006) |
| Spouse(s) | Carmen Robichaud |
Raymond Lavigne (born November 16, 1945) is a former Canadian senator and businessman, and a former Member of Parliament (MP).
Lavigne first ran as a Liberal candidate for the Canadian House of Commons in the Quebec riding of Verdun—Saint-Paul at the 1988 election but was unsuccessful. He successfully contested the riding in the 1993 election. He was re-elected as the MP for the riding, with altered boundaries, in the 1997 and 2000 federal elections. He served until he was appointed to the Canadian Senate on March 26, 2002.
He was appointed to the Senate on the advice of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to make his riding available for Liza Frulla, a former Quebec cabinet minister.
On June 8, 2006, he was expelled from the Liberal caucus after allegedly misusing Senate funds for personal use. He apparently used $23,000 in funds for work on his estate, including having his executive assistant cut down trees on his property.
Since then, Lavigne's lawyer said that Lavigne had agreed to pay back the $23,000, without an admission of wrongdoing.
On August 14, 2007, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who had been investigating allegations raised concerning the misuse of funds for the last year, laid criminal charges against Lavigne: fraud over $5,000, breach of trust and obstruction of justice. Because of the criminal proceedings, Lavigne is barred from sitting in the Senate or taking part in any Senate committees, but still drew a salary and was entitled to claim expenses.
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