Mobina S. B. Jaffer
Former Canadian Senator, Lawyer, Diplomat
About Mobina S. B. Jaffer
Mobina S. B. Jaffer, KC (born August 20, 1949, Kampala, Uganda) is a distinguished Canadian lawyer and politician.
She made history as the first Muslim, first African-born, and first South Asian-descended senator appointed to the Canadian upper house, serving from June 13, 2001, until her retirement on August 20, 2024. Her family sought refuge in Canada in 1972 after fleeing Idi Amin's expulsion of Asians from Uganda.
Prior to her Senate appointment, Jaffer held various leadership roles within the Liberal Party of Canada, including Vice-President (1994-1998) and President of the National Women's Liberal Commission (1998-2003). From 2002 to 2006, she served as Canada's Special Envoy to the Peace Process in Sudan and chaired the Canadian Committee on Women Peace & Security.
In the Senate, she contributed to committees on National Security and Defence, Finance, Official Languages, and Internal Affairs. She was recognized with a Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award in 2014. While facing allegations of overbilling in 2008, these were later dismissed in 2010.
References & Credits
Image Credits
- Photo 1: Photo courtesy of sencanada.ca
- Photo 2: Photo courtesy of Senate 2009
Pioneering Achievements
First Muslim, African-born, and South Asian-descended senator in Canada. First East Indian woman lawyer to practice in British Columbia.
Key Roles
Special Envoy to the Peace Process in Sudan (2002-2006), Chair of Canadian Committee on Women Peace & Security (2002), Vice-President of Liberal Party of Canada (1994-1998), President of National Women's Liberal Commission (1998-2003).