News
8 new independent senators sworn in
4 more new senators to be sworn in later this week.
At the outset of the 45th Parliament, eight new independent senators took their seats in Senate for the first time following a swearing in ceremony.
- Senator Baltej Dhillon represents British Columbia.
- Senator Katherine Hay represents Ontario.
- Senator Martine Hébert represents Quebec.
- Senator Danièle Henkel represents Quebec.
- Senator Tony Ince represents Nova Scotia.
- Senator Sandra Pupatello represents Ontario.
- Senator Allister Surette represents Nova Scotia.
- Senator Duncan Wilson represents British Colombia.
The new senators were appointed on the recommendation of an independent advisory board with a mandate to provide merit-based recommendations for Senate appointments.
Thanks to the independent appointment process, the Senate is more diverse than ever before. More than half of all senators are women, there is greater Indigenous representation than ever before, and there is a broader range of backgrounds, both professionally and culturally.
Senator Marc Gold, the Government Representative in the Senate, welcomed the new senators.
“You are joining the Senate at a particularly significant time. As you will see tomorrow, the government will be laying out an ambitious plan to tackle the biggest issues that we face as a nation. Your voices will be very welcome additions to the important debates that this chamber will have in the weeks ahead,” he said. Read his full remarks here.
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- Senator Dhillon is a retired career police officer, a community leader, and a lifelong advocate for diversity and inclusion.
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- Senator Hay is a not-for-profit executive and long-time champion for mental health care for children and youth, including as the head of Kids Help Phone.
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- Senator Hébert is a renowned economist, former Quebec diplomat, and public figure with over 25 years of experience in economic relations, governance and public affairs.
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- Senator Henkel is a businesswoman, strategic advisor, mentor, coach, speaker, and respected author with more than 30 years of expertise.
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- Senator Ince is a strong advocate for social justice, equity, and diversity, particularly within African Nova Scotian communities. He is a former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia.
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- Senator Pupatello is a former politician, an experienced businesswoman, and an advocate for Ontario’s economic growth and development. She is a former provincial cabinet minister in Ontario.
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- Senator Surette is a respected leader and executive with more than 30 years of experience in education, politics and governance. He is a former provincial cabinet in Nova Scotia.
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- Senator Wilson is a seasoned executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience spanning the maritime sector, government and not-for-profit organizations.
