Canada’s PM announces the appointment of a Senator

Canada’s Prime Minister, Mr Justin Trudeau, has announced that the Governor General appointed Julie Miville-Dechêne as an independent Senator to fill a vacancy in Quebec. Ms. Miville-Dechêne was a journalist, a senior public servant, and is a strong voice for gender equality and women’s rights. She was also the first woman appointed as the ombudsman for Radio-Canada.

Ms. Miville-Dechêne was recommended by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments and chosen using the merit-based process open to all Canadians. This process ensures Senators are independent, reflect Canada’s diversity, and are able to tackle the broad range of challenges and opportunities facing the country.

“I am pleased to welcome Julie Miville-Dechêne as Parliament’s newest independent Senator. Her experience as a journalist and a senior public servant will greatly benefit Parliament and all of Canada, and I look forward to working with her’’, said The Prime

There have been 38 appointments to the Senate made on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Under the Canadian Constitution, the Governor General appoints individuals to the Senate. By convention, Senators are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Since 2016, the selection process for Senators has been opened to allow all Canadians to apply. Candidate submissions are reviewed by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, which provides the Prime Minister with recommendations. From the recommended pool of candidates, the Prime Minister selects the individuals he then recommends to the Governor General for appointment to the Senate.

The Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments is guided by public, transparent, non-partisan, and merit-based criteria to identify highly qualified candidates.

Once appointed by the Governor General and summoned to the Senate, the new Senators join their peers to examine and revise legislation, investigate national issues, and represent regional, provincial, and minority interests –important functions in a modern democracy.