OTTAWA,
ON, Aug. 31, 2024 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister,
Justin Trudeau, today announced that the Governor General, Her
Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, appointed the following
individuals as independent senators to fill vacancies in the
Senate:
- Daryl Fridhandler, for
Alberta
- Dr. Kristopher Wells, for
Alberta
Daryl Fridhandler is a corporate lawyer, arbitrator,
mediator, and businessman with over 40 years of legal experience. A
King's Counsel and the recipient of several awards and
recognitions, he has been a trusted legal advisor for a range of
private and public companies, non-profits, and projects, and has
been actively engaged in the community, serving on the boards of
numerous organizations.
Dr. Kristopher Wells is an educator, a scientific
expert, and a champion for the 2SLGBTQI+ community who has
used research and advocacy to help advance diversity, equity, and
human rights in Alberta and across
the country. For his contributions, he has received accolades that
include the Alberta Centennial Medal and the Alberta Award for
Study of Canadian Human Rights and Multiculturalism.
These new senators were recommended by the Independent Advisory
Board for Senate Appointments and chosen using a merit-based
process open to all Canadians. Introduced in 2016, this process
ensures senators are independent, and are able to tackle the broad
range of challenges and opportunities facing the country.
Quote
"I congratulate Mr. Fridhandler and Dr. Wells on their
appointment as Parliament's newest independent senators. Their
experiences will make them important voices for their
communities."
— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of
Canada
Quick Facts
- The Senate is the Upper House in Canada's parliamentary democracy.
- Candidate submissions were reviewed by the Independent Advisory
Board for Senate Appointments, which provided recommendations to
the Prime Minister. The Board is guided in its work by public,
transparent, non-partisan, and merit-based criteria to identify
highly qualified candidates for the Senate.
- With today's announcement, there have been 86 independent
appointments to the Senate made on the advice of Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau. All of them were
recommended by the Board.
- Under the Canadian Constitution, the Governor General appoints
individuals to the Senate. By convention, senators are appointed on
the advice of the Prime Minister.
- Once appointed by the Governor General, new senators join their
peers to examine and revise legislation, investigate national
issues, and represent regional, provincial and territorial, and
minority interests – important functions in a modern
democracy.
Biographical Notes
- Daryl Fridhandler
- Dr. Kristopher Wells
Associated Links
- Senate of Canada
- Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments
- Senate Appointments Process – Questions and Answers
This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca
SOURCE Prime Minister's Office