Ethel Cochrane

The Honourable Ethel M. Cochrane
Senator for Newfoundland and Labrador
In office November 17, 1986 – September 23, 2012
Appointed by	Brian Mulroney
Preceded by	Eric Cook
Succeeded by	David Wells
Personal details
Born	(1937-09-23)September 23, 1937 Port au Port Peninsula, Dominion of Newfoundland
Died	June 30, 2026(2026-06-30) (aged 88) Port au Port East, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Party	Conservative (2004–2026)
Other political affiliations	Progressive Conservative
Spouse	Jim Cochrane
Occupation	Canadian Senator
Profession	Educator, school administrator

Ethel M. Cochrane (September 23, 1937 – June 30, 2026) was a Canadian politician who served as a Senator, representing the province of Newfoundland and Labrador from 1986 until 2012.

Life and career

A teacher by training, Cochrane worked as an educator in her native Newfoundland culminating in her period as a school principal. An advocate for education and literacy, she was appointed to the Senate by Governor General Jeanne Sauvé, on the recommendation of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, in November 1986. She sat as a Progressive Conservative senator until February 2004 when she and most other PC Senators joined the new Conservative Party of Canada. Cochrane is the first female senator to represent Newfoundland and Labrador. She retired in 2012 when she reached the mandatory retirement age of 75. She was a past member of the Girl Guides of Canada.

Cochrane resided in Port au Port East with her husband Jim. She died on June 30, 2026, at the age of 88.

External links

• Ethel Cochrane – Parliament of Canada biography