A lifelong resident of Saskatchewan, Senator Denise Batters holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Campion College at the University of Regina, and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Saskatchewan. She was admitted to the Saskatchewan Bar in 1995 and was in private practice in Estevan and then Regina until 2007. Ms. Batters was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2008. From November 2007 until June 2012, she was the Chief of Staff to Saskatchewan’s Minister of Justice, Don Morgan. Following that position, she became the Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs at the Crown Investments Corporation.

Appointed to the Senate in January 2013, Ms. Batters took the opportunity for leadership in service of others. As a member of the Canadian Senate, she works hard to ensure that Canadian laws are fair and just, and takes into account the needs of marginalized groups, such as those suffering from mental illness.

Beyond her profession, Senator Batters is a passionate spokesperson for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, and raises her voice to bring awareness to this cause whenever possible. She organizes an annual charity golf tournament, raising $160,000 in honour of her late husband, Dave Batters, who fought anxiety and depression. Her fundraising efforts support the production and broadcast of a television commercial to raise awareness of depression and suicide. In recognition of her work in this area, Senator Batters received the 2015 Champion of Mental Health – in the Parliamentarian category, from The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health.