Appointed before elected

Stéphane Dion, touted as a potential Liberal leadership candidate, was appointed to cabinet back on January 25, 1996 by then PM, Jean Chrétien. But he wasn't elected yet, nor was he appointed to the Senate.

Two months later, he was elected MP for the Quebec riding of Saint-Laurent-Cartierville in a by-election on March 25, 1996 following the resignation of Shirley Maheu Jan 31, 1996.

That was ten years ago.

I haven't heard anyone in the media mention this, but many bloggers have.