Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments

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The Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments is an independent, non-partisan body established by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to provide merit-based recommendations on nominations to the Senate of Canada. The body was established in an attempt to end partisanship in Senate appointments. Individuals wishing to be appointed to the Senate must submit an application to the Board for consideration. The Board was established on January 19, 2016 and is made up of three federal members and two members from each of the provinces or territories where a vacancy is to be filled‍. [1] The Chairperson is former deputy minister Huguette Labelle. There are two other federal members: Ms. Melissa Blake from Fort McMurray, Alberta and the Honourable Francois Rolland from Montreal. The Board reviews applications and provides to the Prime Minister a short list of candidates to be considered for Senate vacancies, based on merit instead of partisan politics. [2] However, the slate of recommended candidates is not binding on the Prime Minister who will make the final decision as to who is recommended to the Governor General for appointment. [3] [1] Since the process was established in 2016, all 66 appointments (as of November 2022) to the Senate were made from recommendations provided by the Board.

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References

  1. 1 2 Office, Privy Council (7 July 2016). "Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments: Mandate and members". Government of Canada. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  2. The Canadian Press; no by-line.--> (January 19, 2016). "Two Manitoba MPs appointed to senate advisory committee". CTV Winnipeg. CTV/Bell Media. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  3. Tasker, John Paul (January 19, 2016). "Senate advisory board named, 1st appointments expected within weeks". CBC News. CBC/Radio Canada. Retrieved January 19, 2016. The board will consult with labour groups, chambers of commerce and the arts community to suggest a short list of five individuals for each vacancy.