Independent Ontario Senator Frances Lankin will make the ongoing modernization of the Senate a key priority as she takes on the role of Government Liaison in the Upper Chamber during a six-month secondment.

Senator Lankin was among the first group of seven independent senators appointed in the spring of 2016, following the Government’s implementation of a new merit-based Senate selection process. So far, 80 senators have been appointed on the recommendation of an independent advisory board.

There are now four distinct groups in the Senate, in addition to the three-senator Government team, which includes Government Representative Marc Gold (Quebec) and Legislative Deputy Patti Laboucane-Benson (Alberta).

With more than 80 per cent of sitting senators not linked to a political party in the House of Commons, Senator Lankin said that the Rules of the Senate should now catch up to the new reality of a more independent and less partisan institution.

“I aim to engage with all Senate groups to ensure that the modernization agenda continues to move forward, to reflect the institution’s evolving makeup and to facilitate better day-to-day operations. I want to see the Senate work at its best to provide optimal institutional value in the interest of Canadians,” Senator Lankin said.

Senator Lankin brings a wealth of experience to her new role both from the political world and non-profit sector. She held several ministerial portfolios during her 11 years serving in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and served as CEO of United Way Toronto for more than a decade.

Read her biography here.