Today The Right Honourable Stephen Harper P.C., M.P. (Calgary Southwest), the Prime Minister, published the names of five candidates to be recommended for appointment to the Honourable the Senate of Canada. Once these senators-to-be are sworn in (the appointments themselves were made on the prime minister’s advice by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., the Governor General), the prime minister will have tipped the balance of power in the Upper House in the governing party’s favour.
Favourable Appointments
Amongst the prime minister’s five nominations is The Honourable Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu (La Salle). Senator Boisvenu launched the Murdered or Missing Persons’ Families’ Association upon the murder of his own daughter, and has also led in the creation of a shelter for abused women and a camp for youth who are underprivileged. The honourable senator will be representing the La Salle region of Québec (Québec’s senators each represent a specific senatorial division, whereas all other senators represent the entire province).
Obviously Partisan Appointments
The Honourable Senator Robert Runciman (Ontario) was also appointed today; the honourable senator was a recent Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. When Senator Runciman was a party leader, the honourable senator was recognised as a more right-wing conservative; he is noted for having suggested that there are some Black Canadians who make a living off of reverse racism, for improperly disclosing the names of young offenders contrary to Canadian law, and for having called The Honourable Belinda Stronach P.C. “an attractive ... dipstick”.
The Honourable Senator Elizabeth Marshall Q.C. (Newfoundland and Labrador) is another person appointed to the Senate today. Until this appointment, the honourable senator represented the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador as a member of the House of Assembly. Senator Marshall had been a minister under the leadership of The Honourable Danny Williams Q.C., Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, but stepped down from the executive when the premier insisted upon balancing the province’s budget.
Ms. Rose-May Poirier M.L.A. (Rogersville—Kouchibouquac), of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, will be appointed to the Senate on 28 February. The honourable senator has served as a provincial minister for several years. Her appointment has been delayed until the end of February so that the Legislative Assembly doesn’t need to pay for a by-election before the next general election is scheduled.
‘Meh’ Appointments
The Honourable Senator Vim Kochhar (Ontario) was appointed today as an Ontario businessman.
Current Standings in the Senate
Favourable Appointments
Amongst the prime minister’s five nominations is The Honourable Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu (La Salle). Senator Boisvenu launched the Murdered or Missing Persons’ Families’ Association upon the murder of his own daughter, and has also led in the creation of a shelter for abused women and a camp for youth who are underprivileged. The honourable senator will be representing the La Salle region of Québec (Québec’s senators each represent a specific senatorial division, whereas all other senators represent the entire province).
Obviously Partisan Appointments
The Honourable Senator Robert Runciman (Ontario) was also appointed today; the honourable senator was a recent Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. When Senator Runciman was a party leader, the honourable senator was recognised as a more right-wing conservative; he is noted for having suggested that there are some Black Canadians who make a living off of reverse racism, for improperly disclosing the names of young offenders contrary to Canadian law, and for having called The Honourable Belinda Stronach P.C. “an attractive ... dipstick”.
The Honourable Senator Elizabeth Marshall Q.C. (Newfoundland and Labrador) is another person appointed to the Senate today. Until this appointment, the honourable senator represented the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador as a member of the House of Assembly. Senator Marshall had been a minister under the leadership of The Honourable Danny Williams Q.C., Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, but stepped down from the executive when the premier insisted upon balancing the province’s budget.
Ms. Rose-May Poirier M.L.A. (Rogersville—Kouchibouquac), of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, will be appointed to the Senate on 28 February. The honourable senator has served as a provincial minister for several years. Her appointment has been delayed until the end of February so that the Legislative Assembly doesn’t need to pay for a by-election before the next general election is scheduled.
‘Meh’ Appointments
The Honourable Senator Vim Kochhar (Ontario) was appointed today as an Ontario businessman.
Current Standings in the Senate
- 50* seats for Her Majesty’s Government for Canada in the Senate
- 49 seats for Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition in the Senate
- 2 seats for the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
- 3 seats for honourable senators who are non-aligned
- 1* seat that is vacant
* On 28 February, the vacant seat becomes a Government seat
- Office of the Prime Minister • homepage • news release