The Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments (Advisory Board) is looking for high-calibre individuals who could serve in the Senate of Canada.

The Advisory Board is an independent body mandated to provide merit-based recommendations to the Prime Minister on Senate appointments. We are continuing to engage with organizations across the country to ensure that information about the appointment process is shared widely among Canadians. In doing so, we hope to appeal to a diverse range of applicants with a variety of backgrounds, skills, knowledge, and experience.

Changes to the appointment process

On July 7^th, 2026, Prime Minister Carney announced changes to the Senate appointment process, including expanding the criteria used by the Advisory Board to assess applications. The recruitment of candidates will have an enhanced focus on expertise in key Canadian strategic industries and emerging social and economic affairs, including trade, finance, artificial intelligence and digital technology, business, criminal justice and foreign affairs.

The Prime Minister also removed the non-partisanship criterion, recognizing the contributions made by Canadians who have chosen to serve in elected office or in other partisan roles.

What is the Senate’s role? 

The Senate is the Upper House in Canada’s parliamentary democracy, uniting a diverse group of accomplished Canadians. Created to counterbalance representation by population in the House of Commons, the Senate not only defends regional interests, but also creates a space for the voices of historically underrepresented groups like Indigenous Peoples, racialized communities, persons with disabilities, and women.

What does a senator’s work involve? 

Senators shape Canada’s future by participating in debates within the Senate Chamber, reviewing legislation or proposing their own bills, and managing their offices and staying in touch with the issues affecting the province or territory they represent. As members of Senate committees, they play an investigative role and undertake studies on challenges facing the country. These are important positions that provide a platform to speak out about the issues affecting everyone in Canada.

Once appointed, Senators serve until they reach the mandatory retirement age of 75, or until they choose to step down. Unlike Members of Parliament within the House of Commons, Senators are not elected.

For more information on the Senate, please refer to the Senate of Canada website.

New application review cycle

The dates by which we will start reviewing applications for each current or upcoming vacancy are or will be listed on our website in due course. The Advisory Board encourages Canadians to apply or update their existing applications before these dates to ensure their documentation is considered for this cycle. Applications received on or after these dates could be considered for this cycle or retained for a future cycle at the Advisory Board’s discretion. Please note that applications are accepted at any time and are retained for two years.

Nominate, support and inform a potential candidate

Candidates can also be nominated through a reference letter. Note that reference letters must be submitted by the candidate.

Posted: 20 October 2026