Karandeep-Ottawa, ON – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Allister Surette from Nova Scotia and Nancy Karetak-Lindell from Nunavat as two new independent senators to the fill the vacancy in the Senate.
Allister Surette has more than 30 years of experience in education, politics, and leadership. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia from 1993 to 1998, holding multiple cabinet positions. From 2011 to 2024, Surette was the President and Vice-Chancellor of Université Sainte-Anne in Church Point, Nova Scotia, and has been a strong supporter of Canada’s Francophone and Acadian communities.
Nancy Karetak-Lindell has long been a voice for the North, advocating for the region's unique cultural, economic, and environmental needs. She was the first Member of Parliament for Nunavut from 1997 to 2008, and served as President of the Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada. Karetak-Lindell has received various honors, including the Order of Canada, for her work and leadership.
The appointments were made through a merit-based process managed by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments. This process ensures that the selections are transparent, non-partisan, and based on qualifications, allowing anyone across Canada to apply. It was introduced in 2016 to make sure senators are independent and capable of addressing the country’s challenges.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated both Allister Surette and Nancy Karetak-Lindell, stating, “I am confident they will represent their communities well and I look forward to working with them to make a real difference in the lives of Canadians.”
The Senate is the Upper House of Canada’s Parliament and works alongside the House of Commons to shape the country’s laws and policies. The Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments reviews candidates and provides recommendations to the Prime Minister. Since 2016, Prime Minister Trudeau has appointed 90 independent senators, all recommended by the Board. Under Canada’s Constitution, the Governor General appoints senators on the advice of the Prime Minister. Senators play an important role in reviewing and amending laws, investigating national issues, and representing regional and minority interests in Canada. These appointments help ensure that the Senate continues to serve as an important part of Canada’s democratic system.