Trudeau plans on stacking Senate before retiring: source

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is gearing up for a final wave of Senate appointments to fill the 10 remaining vacancies before he steps down in March, according to sources at Radio-Canada. This move is seen as an opportunity for Trudeau to leave a lasting impact on Parliament, as these appointed senators will be able to serve until the age of 75.

The selection process for the new senators is already in motion and is expected to be completed before Trudeau’s departure. Despite the recent prorogation of Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed that the advisory board for Senate appointments is actively working on proposing candidates for the vacant positions.

Trudeau, who has been a vocal advocate for an independent and non-partisan Senate, has faced criticism from the Conservative Party for his choices of senators. With the Conservatives leading in national polls, there are concerns that Trudeau-appointed senators may try to block their agenda if the party wins the next election.

The Prime Minister’s Office emphasized that the Governor General retains the authority to make Senate appointments based on the advice of the prime minister, even after prorogation. Trudeau has appointed a total of 90 senators since taking office in 2015, with 10 vacancies remaining as of February 2.

While Trudeau has emphasized the independence of the senators he has appointed since 2016, many of the recent appointees have had partisan backgrounds, including former Liberal MPs and candidates. Critics argue that this undermines the non-partisan nature of the Senate and raises questions about the legitimacy of these appointments.

As Trudeau prepares to leave office, questions remain about the future of the Senate and how non-partisan senators will organize themselves, particularly if the Conservatives form the next government. The role of the Official Opposition in the Senate, currently held by Conservative senators, could be up for grabs depending on the outcome of the next election.

Despite the uncertainty, senators appointed by Trudeau have expressed their commitment to upholding key principles such as the protection of minority rights and regional interests. The future of the Senate and its role in Canadian politics will likely continue to evolve as new appointments are made and political dynamics shift.