Overview
- Prime Minister Mark Carney named Tom Pitfield, Richard Martel, Rodney Ouellette and Geeta Tucker to the Senate and said the appointees will sit as Independents.
- Tom Pitfield is Carney’s former principal secretary with deep Liberal ties and a leading role on the government’s AI strategy.
- Carney announced a formal change to appointment criteria that removes the non‑partisanship requirement and gives priority to candidates with party experience and industry or regulatory expertise.
- Richard Martel will leave the Conservative caucus to accept the Senate seat, creating an immediate vacancy in the House of Commons.
- Carney said he will keep using the independent advisory board but change how it works, a move officials link to frustration with the Senate’s handling of government bills and that could make the chamber more practice‑focused and politically aligned.