Another Trudeau-appointed senator joins Conservative caucus

Senator Mary Jane McCallum of Manitoba has made a significant move by joining the Conservative Senate caucus, becoming the second senator appointed by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to switch parties this month. McCallum, who is Cree and a member of the Barren Lands First Nation, consulted with chiefs and community leaders before making the decision to join the Conservatives.

In a statement released on Tuesday, McCallum expressed her belief that joining the Conservatives is a crucial step in building bridges between communities. She emphasized the importance of broadening the conversation and ensuring that Indigenous perspectives are represented across the political spectrum. McCallum was originally appointed to the Senate by Trudeau in 2017, making her transition to the Conservative caucus a notable development.

McCallum’s decision comes on the heels of New Brunswick Senator David Richards also joining the Conservative fold last week. Both McCallum and Richards were previously sitting as non-affiliated senators, making their move to the Conservative caucus a significant boost to the party’s numbers in the Senate. With McCallum’s addition, the Conservatives now have 13 members in the red chamber, although they remain the smallest group in the Senate.

The current makeup of the Senate sees 46 senators in the Independent Senators Group, 21 in the Canadian Senators Group, 18 in the Progressive Senate Group, and six non-affiliated senators, with one seat left to fill. As Canadian senators are required to retire at the age of 75, the Conservative caucus will see further changes later this year with the retirements of Quebec Senator Judith Seidman in September and Richards in the following month. Newfoundland and Labrador Senator Elizabeth Marshall is set to retire in September of next year, while Ontario Senator Salma Ataullahjan’s retirement date is scheduled for April 2027.

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Leo Housakos, praised McCallum as a principled leader and a dedicated advocate for Canada’s Indigenous communities. He highlighted her expertise and unique perspective as valuable assets in strengthening the Senate’s role as a forum for open debate, diversity of thought, rigorous accountability, and meaningful dialogue reflective of all Canadians.

When asked about the Conservatives actively recruiting senators, Housakos’s office emphasized the importance of having a diverse and growing membership to uphold the Senate’s role as a chamber of sober second thought. They believe that a strong Opposition is essential in ensuring the health and effectiveness of the Senate.