Meet Canada’s newest senators 2025
Senator Nancy Karetak-Lindell, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of her swearing-in ceremony on May 29, 2025, with senators Marc Gold and Margo Greenwood.
Senator Nancy Karetak-Lindell
Born and raised in Eskimo Point (now Arviat), Senator Nancy Karetak-Lindell has long been advocating for her region’s unique cultural, economic and environmental interests. Fluent in Inuktitut and English, Senator Karetak-Lindell worked for 15 years in managerial positions for the Arviat Housing Association and Eskimo Point Lumber Supply. In 1997, she was elected as the first MP to represent the newly established riding of Nunavut and the first woman to represent the Eastern Arctic. She was re-elected three times and served for 11 years in Parliament. During her time on the Hill, Senator Karetak-Lindell was parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and sat on various parliamentary committees, groups and associations. She was also a key player in the negotiations to establish Nunavut as a political jurisdiction in Canada. She was appointed to the Senate on December 19, 2024.
Senator Todd Lewis, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of his swearing-in ceremony on May 29, 2025, with senators Mary Robinson and Marc Gold.
Senator Todd Lewis
Senator Todd Lewis has been a strong voice for the Saskatchewan agriculture industry and a dedicated community leader throughout his life. A farmer in Saskatchewan for more than 40 years, he is the fourth generation to work on his family farm in Gray, just south of Regina. Senator Lewis served for five years as president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan and has sat on various committees and working groups. These include the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Environment Committee, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Crop Logistics Working Group, the board of directors of the Western Grains Research Foundation and Saskatchewan’s Provincial Water Advisory Group. He has also served as the first vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and as a member of the Canadian National Railway Agricultural Advisory Council.
Senator Dawn Arnold, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of her swearing-in ceremony on May 28, 2025, with senators Marc Gold, left, and René Cormier.
Senator Dawn Arnold
Senator Dawn Arnold is an accomplished public servant with over 30 years of experience, notably as the first woman to become mayor of Moncton. Before her 2016 mayoral election, she served as councillor-at-large with the City of Moncton for four years. She also held key roles on several boards, including as vice-chair of the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick (Urban Caucus), vice-chair of Cities of New Brunswick and chair of Moncton’s Downtown Revitalization Committee. A passionate advocate for arts and culture, Senator Arnold also served as president of the Frye Festival for 15 years, celebrating French and English authors from Canada and around the world. She was also a board member of French for the Future, an organization that engages with francophone youth across Canada.
Senator Farah Mohamed, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of her swearing-in ceremony on May 28, 2025, with senators Marc Gold and Marnie McBean.
Senator Farah Mohamed
Senator Farah Mohamed is a charitable sector leader, advocate and public speaker with more than 30 years of experience in addressing systemic inequities in Canada and around the world. A refugee from Uganda, Senator Mohamed has advocated for the most vulnerable and defended the rights of women and girls. She has served as the CEO of The King’s Trust Canada, a charity founded by King Charles III to help young people facing barriers increase their employability. She was also the CEO of the Malala Fund, where she led global efforts to further Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai’s mission to educate millions of girls. She founded FORA, formerly known as G(irls)20, to empower girls and women through education, entrepreneurship and global experiences. She was also the Chief Operating Officer for Canada’s Forest Trust Corporation and has served on the boards of different organizations, including RefugePoint and Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre.
Senator Baltej S. Dhillon, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of his swearing-in ceremony on May 26, 2025, with senators Bev Busson and Marc Gold.
Senator Baltej S. Dhillon
Senator Baltej S. Dhillon is a retired police officer, a community leader and a lifelong advocate for diversity and inclusion. He immigrated to Canada from Malaysia in 1983 and made history in 1991 as the first RCMP officer to wear a turban, advocating for the right to practise his faith while serving Canada. Senator Dhillon went on to have a successful 30‑year career with the RCMP as an accomplished major crime investigator, police interrogator, polygraph examiner, intelligence officer and emergency planner. He played a key role in several high-profile investigations, including the Air India Flight 182 tragedy and the Robert Pickton case. Senator Dhillon held various leadership roles, including establishing and managing intelligence operations at the Provincial Intelligence Centre of British Columbia (now the Real-Time Operations Centre of British Columbia), the first of its kind in Canada.
Senator Katherine Hay, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of her swearing-in ceremony on May 26, 2025, with senators Marc Gold, left, and Stan Kutcher.
Senator Katherine Hay
Senator Katherine Hay has more than 40 years of experience in the health care and financial services sectors, including as a not-for-profit executive. She became president and CEO of Kids Help Phone in 2017 and transformed the organization into Canada’s only national, 24/7, multilingual e-mental health service for young people. She has previously served as president and CEO of the Women’s College Hospital Foundation and held leadership roles at the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Credit Valley Hospital Foundation, the University of Guelph and the University of Toronto. She also worked for several years in the financial sector before being appointed as president of the Canadian Foundation by the Consul General of Canada in São Paulo, Brazil, where she helped raise funds for children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Senator Martine Hébert, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of her swearing-in ceremony on May 26, 2025, with senators Marc Gold and Manuelle Oudar.
Senator Martine Hébert
Senator Martine Hébert is a renowned economist and former Quebec diplomat with considerable experience in economic development, public affairs, international and business relations and governance. She has contributed to the economic development of Quebec and Canada through her career in public and private organizations. In recent years, she has served as Quebec’s Delegate in Chicago and Quebec’s Delegate General in New York. She has served as the senior vice-president and national French spokesperson for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, ran her own public affairs firm and worked for the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés du Québec. Senator Hébert has served on various boards and committees, including the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail and the Centre des femmes du Plateau Mont-Royal.
Senator Danièle Henkel, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of her swearing-in ceremony on May 26, 2025, with senators Amina Gerba and Marc Gold.
Senator Danièle Henkel
Senator Danièle Henkel is a businesswoman, strategic advisor, mentor, coach, speaker and author. Born in Morocco, Senator Henkel worked as a political and economic advisor at the United States Consulate General in Algeria for 10 years before coming to Canada with her family in 1990. Six years later, she started her first company with the Renaissance Glove, which served as a foundation for Entreprises Danièle Henkel Inc., a company specializing in the distribution of cutting-edge technologies to medical aesthetics centres across Canada. She also founded the Académie Danièle Henkel in 2003, which has since trained more than 10,000 professionals in the medical aesthetics sector across Canada. Senator Henkel is the founder of Henkel Média, a digital platform that showcases the entrepreneurial community of Quebec and La Francophonie on the global stage. She has shared her expertise with organizations such as Dress for Success, the Association pulmonaire du Québec and CARE Canada.
Senator Tony Ince, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of his swearing-in ceremony on May 26, 2025, with senators Marc Gold, left, and Paul (PJ) Prosper.
Senator Tony Ince
A former provincial politician in Nova Scotia, Senator Tony Ince is a lifelong advocate for social justice, equity and diversity, particularly within African-Nova Scotian communities. He was first elected as an MLA in 2013 to represent the riding of Cole Harbour-Portland Valley. He won two subsequent elections and served until his retirement from provincial politics in 2024. He held various cabinet positions during his time in the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly, including Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs, Minister of Communications Nova Scotia, Minister of the Public Service Commission and Minister responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives. He co-founded and co-chaired the Canadian Congress of Black Parliamentarians. He was also a member of the African Nova Scotian School Board and the Africville Genealogy Society.
Senator Sandra Pupatello, centre, stands outside the Red Chamber ahead of her swearing-in ceremony on May 26, 2025, with senators Marc Gold, left, and Clément Gignac.
Senator Sandra Pupatello
Senator Sandra Pupatello is a former provincial politician for Ontario and a businesswoman with more than 30 years of experience in public service, corporate leadership and community engagement. First elected as an MPP for Windsor West in 1995, she went on to serve as Minister of Economic Development and Trade, where she led trade delegations around the world. She also held several other cabinet positions, including Education, Women’s Issues, and Community and Social Services, and she was vice-chair of Ontario’s Treasury Board. In 2012, she founded Canadian International Avenues Ltd., a management consulting firm. Senator Pupatello has also worked and volunteered at various organizations in the non-profit sector, including the Saint Elizabeth Foundation, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and the Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy.
Senator Allister W. Surette, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of his swearing-in ceremony on May 26, 2025, with senators René Cormier, left, and Marc Gold.
Senator Allister W. Surette
Senator Allister W. Surette comes to the Senate with more than 30 years of experience in education, politics and governance. He has long been a champion of francophone and Acadian communities. Born and raised in West Pubnico, Nova Scotia, Senator Surette began his career as a science and mathematics teacher. In 1993, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia. During his political career, he held several portfolios, including Minister responsible for the Office of Acadian Affairs and Deputy House Leader. After leaving politics, Senator Surette served as president and CEO of the Collège de l’Acadie and then as a vice-president at the Université Sainte-Anne, where he played a key role in the modernization of the institution. In 2011, he was appointed as the university’s president and vice-chancellor. Senator Surette was appointed to the Senate on December 19, 2024.
Senator Duncan Wilson, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of his swearing-in ceremony on May 26, 2025, with senators Judy A. White and Marc Gold.
Senator Duncan Wilson
Senator Duncan Wilson joins the Red Chamber with more than 30 years of executive leadership experience spanning the maritime sector, government and not-for-profit organizations. Between 2003 and 2024, he held progressively senior roles at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, starting as a government affairs advisor and serving most recently as vice-president of Environment and External Affairs. He built long-term partnerships with Indigenous communities and integrated sustainability into every aspect of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s business planning, which resulted in several environmental accolades. Senator Wilson has been a trailblazer for 2SLGBTQI+ representation. He became one of British Columbia’s first openly gay elected officials in the 1990s, when he served three consecutive terms as a park commissioner.
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Meet Canada’s newest senators 2025
Senator Nancy Karetak-Lindell, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of her swearing-in ceremony on May 29, 2025, with senators Marc Gold and Margo Greenwood.
Senator Nancy Karetak-Lindell
Born and raised in Eskimo Point (now Arviat), Senator Nancy Karetak-Lindell has long been advocating for her region’s unique cultural, economic and environmental interests. Fluent in Inuktitut and English, Senator Karetak-Lindell worked for 15 years in managerial positions for the Arviat Housing Association and Eskimo Point Lumber Supply. In 1997, she was elected as the first MP to represent the newly established riding of Nunavut and the first woman to represent the Eastern Arctic. She was re-elected three times and served for 11 years in Parliament. During her time on the Hill, Senator Karetak-Lindell was parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and sat on various parliamentary committees, groups and associations. She was also a key player in the negotiations to establish Nunavut as a political jurisdiction in Canada. She was appointed to the Senate on December 19, 2024.
Senator Todd Lewis, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of his swearing-in ceremony on May 29, 2025, with senators Mary Robinson and Marc Gold.
Senator Todd Lewis
Senator Todd Lewis has been a strong voice for the Saskatchewan agriculture industry and a dedicated community leader throughout his life. A farmer in Saskatchewan for more than 40 years, he is the fourth generation to work on his family farm in Gray, just south of Regina. Senator Lewis served for five years as president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan and has sat on various committees and working groups. These include the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Environment Committee, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Crop Logistics Working Group, the board of directors of the Western Grains Research Foundation and Saskatchewan’s Provincial Water Advisory Group. He has also served as the first vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and as a member of the Canadian National Railway Agricultural Advisory Council.
Senator Dawn Arnold, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of her swearing-in ceremony on May 28, 2025, with senators Marc Gold, left, and René Cormier.
Senator Dawn Arnold
Senator Dawn Arnold is an accomplished public servant with over 30 years of experience, notably as the first woman to become mayor of Moncton. Before her 2016 mayoral election, she served as councillor-at-large with the City of Moncton for four years. She also held key roles on several boards, including as vice-chair of the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick (Urban Caucus), vice-chair of Cities of New Brunswick and chair of Moncton’s Downtown Revitalization Committee. A passionate advocate for arts and culture, Senator Arnold also served as president of the Frye Festival for 15 years, celebrating French and English authors from Canada and around the world. She was also a board member of French for the Future, an organization that engages with francophone youth across Canada.
Senator Farah Mohamed, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of her swearing-in ceremony on May 28, 2025, with senators Marc Gold and Marnie McBean.
Senator Farah Mohamed
Senator Farah Mohamed is a charitable sector leader, advocate and public speaker with more than 30 years of experience in addressing systemic inequities in Canada and around the world. A refugee from Uganda, Senator Mohamed has advocated for the most vulnerable and defended the rights of women and girls. She has served as the CEO of The King’s Trust Canada, a charity founded by King Charles III to help young people facing barriers increase their employability. She was also the CEO of the Malala Fund, where she led global efforts to further Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai’s mission to educate millions of girls. She founded FORA, formerly known as G(irls)20, to empower girls and women through education, entrepreneurship and global experiences. She was also the Chief Operating Officer for Canada’s Forest Trust Corporation and has served on the boards of different organizations, including RefugePoint and Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre.
Senator Baltej S. Dhillon, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of his swearing-in ceremony on May 26, 2025, with senators Bev Busson and Marc Gold.
Senator Baltej S. Dhillon
Senator Baltej S. Dhillon is a retired police officer, a community leader and a lifelong advocate for diversity and inclusion. He immigrated to Canada from Malaysia in 1983 and made history in 1991 as the first RCMP officer to wear a turban, advocating for the right to practise his faith while serving Canada. Senator Dhillon went on to have a successful 30‑year career with the RCMP as an accomplished major crime investigator, police interrogator, polygraph examiner, intelligence officer and emergency planner. He played a key role in several high-profile investigations, including the Air India Flight 182 tragedy and the Robert Pickton case. Senator Dhillon held various leadership roles, including establishing and managing intelligence operations at the Provincial Intelligence Centre of British Columbia (now the Real-Time Operations Centre of British Columbia), the first of its kind in Canada.
Senator Katherine Hay, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of her swearing-in ceremony on May 26, 2025, with senators Marc Gold, left, and Stan Kutcher.
Senator Katherine Hay
Senator Katherine Hay has more than 40 years of experience in the health care and financial services sectors, including as a not-for-profit executive. She became president and CEO of Kids Help Phone in 2017 and transformed the organization into Canada’s only national, 24/7, multilingual e-mental health service for young people. She has previously served as president and CEO of the Women’s College Hospital Foundation and held leadership roles at the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Credit Valley Hospital Foundation, the University of Guelph and the University of Toronto. She also worked for several years in the financial sector before being appointed as president of the Canadian Foundation by the Consul General of Canada in São Paulo, Brazil, where she helped raise funds for children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Senator Martine Hébert, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of her swearing-in ceremony on May 26, 2025, with senators Marc Gold and Manuelle Oudar.
Senator Martine Hébert
Senator Martine Hébert is a renowned economist and former Quebec diplomat with considerable experience in economic development, public affairs, international and business relations and governance. She has contributed to the economic development of Quebec and Canada through her career in public and private organizations. In recent years, she has served as Quebec’s Delegate in Chicago and Quebec’s Delegate General in New York. She has served as the senior vice-president and national French spokesperson for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, ran her own public affairs firm and worked for the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés du Québec. Senator Hébert has served on various boards and committees, including the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail and the Centre des femmes du Plateau Mont-Royal.
Senator Danièle Henkel, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of her swearing-in ceremony on May 26, 2025, with senators Amina Gerba and Marc Gold.
Senator Danièle Henkel
Senator Danièle Henkel is a businesswoman, strategic advisor, mentor, coach, speaker and author. Born in Morocco, Senator Henkel worked as a political and economic advisor at the United States Consulate General in Algeria for 10 years before coming to Canada with her family in 1990. Six years later, she started her first company with the Renaissance Glove, which served as a foundation for Entreprises Danièle Henkel Inc., a company specializing in the distribution of cutting-edge technologies to medical aesthetics centres across Canada. She also founded the Académie Danièle Henkel in 2003, which has since trained more than 10,000 professionals in the medical aesthetics sector across Canada. Senator Henkel is the founder of Henkel Média, a digital platform that showcases the entrepreneurial community of Quebec and La Francophonie on the global stage. She has shared her expertise with organizations such as Dress for Success, the Association pulmonaire du Québec and CARE Canada.
Senator Tony Ince, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of his swearing-in ceremony on May 26, 2025, with senators Marc Gold, left, and Paul (PJ) Prosper.
Senator Tony Ince
A former provincial politician in Nova Scotia, Senator Tony Ince is a lifelong advocate for social justice, equity and diversity, particularly within African-Nova Scotian communities. He was first elected as an MLA in 2013 to represent the riding of Cole Harbour-Portland Valley. He won two subsequent elections and served until his retirement from provincial politics in 2024. He held various cabinet positions during his time in the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly, including Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs, Minister of Communications Nova Scotia, Minister of the Public Service Commission and Minister responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives. He co-founded and co-chaired the Canadian Congress of Black Parliamentarians. He was also a member of the African Nova Scotian School Board and the Africville Genealogy Society.
Senator Sandra Pupatello, centre, stands outside the Red Chamber ahead of her swearing-in ceremony on May 26, 2025, with senators Marc Gold, left, and Clément Gignac.
Senator Sandra Pupatello
Senator Sandra Pupatello is a former provincial politician for Ontario and a businesswoman with more than 30 years of experience in public service, corporate leadership and community engagement. First elected as an MPP for Windsor West in 1995, she went on to serve as Minister of Economic Development and Trade, where she led trade delegations around the world. She also held several other cabinet positions, including Education, Women’s Issues, and Community and Social Services, and she was vice-chair of Ontario’s Treasury Board. In 2012, she founded Canadian International Avenues Ltd., a management consulting firm. Senator Pupatello has also worked and volunteered at various organizations in the non-profit sector, including the Saint Elizabeth Foundation, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and the Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy.
Senator Allister W. Surette, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of his swearing-in ceremony on May 26, 2025, with senators René Cormier, left, and Marc Gold.
Senator Allister W. Surette
Senator Allister W. Surette comes to the Senate with more than 30 years of experience in education, politics and governance. He has long been a champion of francophone and Acadian communities. Born and raised in West Pubnico, Nova Scotia, Senator Surette began his career as a science and mathematics teacher. In 1993, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia. During his political career, he held several portfolios, including Minister responsible for the Office of Acadian Affairs and Deputy House Leader. After leaving politics, Senator Surette served as president and CEO of the Collège de l’Acadie and then as a vice-president at the Université Sainte-Anne, where he played a key role in the modernization of the institution. In 2011, he was appointed as the university’s president and vice-chancellor. Senator Surette was appointed to the Senate on December 19, 2024.
Senator Duncan Wilson, centre, poses outside the Red Chamber ahead of his swearing-in ceremony on May 26, 2025, with senators Judy A. White and Marc Gold.
Senator Duncan Wilson
Senator Duncan Wilson joins the Red Chamber with more than 30 years of executive leadership experience spanning the maritime sector, government and not-for-profit organizations. Between 2003 and 2024, he held progressively senior roles at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, starting as a government affairs advisor and serving most recently as vice-president of Environment and External Affairs. He built long-term partnerships with Indigenous communities and integrated sustainability into every aspect of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s business planning, which resulted in several environmental accolades. Senator Wilson has been a trailblazer for 2SLGBTQI+ representation. He became one of British Columbia’s first openly gay elected officials in the 1990s, when he served three consecutive terms as a park commissioner.