Mark Carney names principal secretary and Conservative MP to Senate, drops non-partisan rule
Tom Pitfield and Richard Martel are among four new appointees. The move signals a shift away from the Trudeau-era independent appointment process.
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Prime Minister Mark Carney has named Tom Pitfield, his principal secretary, to the Senate and announced he is dropping the non-partisan criteria for Senate appointments, marking his first round of appointments since taking office in March 2025.
Pitfield, a longtime Liberal strategist who served on Carney's 2025 campaign team before becoming principal secretary, will represent Quebec. Conservative MP Richard Martel, who has served since 2018 and held several opposition leadership roles including Quebec lieutenant under Conservative leader Erin O'Toole, will also represent Quebec in the upper house.
Two additional appointees round out the first round: Dr. Rodney Ouellette, a New Brunswick cancer researcher, and Geeta Tucker, a Manitoba chartered professional accountant.
The move signals a reversal of the Trudeau-era process, which stripped the Senate of partisans in favour of appointees with no party affiliation. Carney's office said the new approach recognizes the value of appointees who have served in elected office or partisan roles, arguing they bring knowledge of governing and legislative processes that will strengthen the Senate.
