We have received a note from Sandy Thompson passing along a letter from Huguette Labelle, Chair, Independent Advisory Board on Senate Appointments. She is asking for high caliber candidates to serve in the Senate of Canada. There are two vacancies in Ontario to be filled. Some CFUW clubs did participate and recommended individuals in the first round of Senate appointments. It would be wonderful to either have a CFUW member or a CFUW recommended individual worthy of the appointment be selected. Please note the deadline is January 25, 2017.
Below are:
Beth Elysee-Collen, President CFUW Mississauga
Senate Appointments Process
The Senate of Canada plays a fundamental role in the legislative process, providing sober, second thought complementary to the elected House of Commons. The Senate also plays a key role in the representation of regions and minorities.
Under the Constitution, the Governor General has the power to appoint Senators, and by convention this power is exercised on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Constitution specifies the requirements for appointment. The constitutional roles, qualifications and fundamental functions of the Senate will be maintained under the new, non-partisan, merit-based appointment process.
The Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments
The Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments (IABSA) has been established to provide the Prime Minister with non-binding recommendations for Senate appointments. It is an independent and non-partisan body, guided by merit-based criteria in evaluating all candidates. More information, including the assessment criteria, is available on the IABSA website (www.canada.ca/senate- appointments).
Implementation
The new appointments process has been implemented in two phases. To reduce partisanship and increase provincial representation in the Senate in the early stages of the new Parliament, a transitional process was established. Candidates were nominated for consideration by national, provincial and local organizations. The IABSA provided advice to the Prime Minister on the selection of candidates for provinces with the most vacancies: Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. Seven (7) appointments were made to the Senate under this process in the spring of 2016.
For the permanent process, enhancements were made to the transitional process to include an open, online application process that allows Canadians to apply directly for appointment to the Senate. Under the first cycle of the permanent process for Senate appointments, the Prime Minister selected 21 candidates from seven (7) provinces for recommendation to the Governor General in the fall of 2016.
Permanent Process – Winter 2017
The current cycle of the permanent Senate appointment process will fill six (6) vacancies – one (1) for New Brunswick, three (3) for Nova Scotia and two (2) for Ontario – which are expected to arise in 2017.
Applications will be accepted online until Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 23:59 ET. Detailed information on how to apply is provided on the IABSA website.
Potential applicants should carefully review the assessment criteria and consider how well they meet each of the requirements. Preparing an application will take some time and effort; therefore, applicants are encouraged to start on their applications as early as possible. Applicants must submit an application form, curriculum vitae, three reference letters and a Background Check Consent Form for their application to be complete.
Individual Canadians and organizations can quickly and easily share information about the Senate appointment process with potential applicants by e-mail or on social media using the “Share” button on the website.
Heather Foss, MEd
CFUW Regional Director
Ontario South
Below are:
- Letter from Huguette Labelle, Chair, Independent Advisory Board on Senate Appointments
- A Summary of the Senate Appointment Process from Heather Foss, CFUW Regional Director, Ontario South
Beth Elysee-Collen, President CFUW Mississauga
Senate Appointments Process
The Senate of Canada plays a fundamental role in the legislative process, providing sober, second thought complementary to the elected House of Commons. The Senate also plays a key role in the representation of regions and minorities.
Under the Constitution, the Governor General has the power to appoint Senators, and by convention this power is exercised on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Constitution specifies the requirements for appointment. The constitutional roles, qualifications and fundamental functions of the Senate will be maintained under the new, non-partisan, merit-based appointment process.
The Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments
The Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments (IABSA) has been established to provide the Prime Minister with non-binding recommendations for Senate appointments. It is an independent and non-partisan body, guided by merit-based criteria in evaluating all candidates. More information, including the assessment criteria, is available on the IABSA website (www.canada.ca/senate- appointments).
Implementation
The new appointments process has been implemented in two phases. To reduce partisanship and increase provincial representation in the Senate in the early stages of the new Parliament, a transitional process was established. Candidates were nominated for consideration by national, provincial and local organizations. The IABSA provided advice to the Prime Minister on the selection of candidates for provinces with the most vacancies: Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. Seven (7) appointments were made to the Senate under this process in the spring of 2016.
For the permanent process, enhancements were made to the transitional process to include an open, online application process that allows Canadians to apply directly for appointment to the Senate. Under the first cycle of the permanent process for Senate appointments, the Prime Minister selected 21 candidates from seven (7) provinces for recommendation to the Governor General in the fall of 2016.
Permanent Process – Winter 2017
The current cycle of the permanent Senate appointment process will fill six (6) vacancies – one (1) for New Brunswick, three (3) for Nova Scotia and two (2) for Ontario – which are expected to arise in 2017.
Applications will be accepted online until Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 23:59 ET. Detailed information on how to apply is provided on the IABSA website.
Potential applicants should carefully review the assessment criteria and consider how well they meet each of the requirements. Preparing an application will take some time and effort; therefore, applicants are encouraged to start on their applications as early as possible. Applicants must submit an application form, curriculum vitae, three reference letters and a Background Check Consent Form for their application to be complete.
Individual Canadians and organizations can quickly and easily share information about the Senate appointment process with potential applicants by e-mail or on social media using the “Share” button on the website.
Heather Foss, MEd
CFUW Regional Director
Ontario South