QUESTION PERIOD — Governor-in-Council Appointments
Senate Vacancies
November 7, 2023
My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate.
Senator Gold, it’s great to see some Senate vacancies being filled last week. I offer congratulations and a very warm welcome to our new colleague and to the colleagues who will join us in a couple of weeks.
Coincidentally, my question is about Senate vacancies. At this point, my province of Ontario has four vacancies, which is by far the highest number of vacancies of any province. Ontario is Canada’s most populous province by far, and even with a full complement of 24 senators from Ontario, my province is underrepresented in this chamber relative to our population.
When can we expect the Prime Minister to act on filling the vacancies to ensure that Ontario is adequately represented in the chamber of sober second thought?
Thank you for your questions. I’ve said on many occasions all of us want to see all the vacancies filled. The appointment process that was put in place by this government, designed to recruit and attract the interest of and make available to the Senate a diverse range of competent Canadians, is under way. My understanding is the process is well in place in terms of Ontario.
I’m not able to answer as to when those vacancies will be filled, but the government is proceeding with dispatch with regard to those vacancies.
