Career
Furey worked as a teacher for the Roman Catholic School Board in Saint John"s from 1969 to 1972. From 1972 to 1978, he was a Supervising Vice Principal with the Portuguese-au-Portuguese Roman Catholic School Board and from 1978-1980 Supervising Principal of the Placentia-Saint Mary"s Roman Catholic School Board. He then embarked on a second career after earning his law degree from Dalhousie University in 1983.
He was named Queen"s Counsel in 1996.
On August 11, 1999, Furey was appointed to the Senate on the advice of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. He sits as a Liberal and serves as Chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
On January 29, 2014, Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau announced all Liberal Senators, including Furey, were removed from the Liberal caucus, and would continue sitting as Independents. On December 3, 2015, Furey was appointed Speaker of the Senate by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau replacing Senator Leo Housakos.
He resigned from the Independent Liberal caucus upon assuming the Speaker"s chairman
