Senate

The appointment of Canadian Senators is normally done by the Canadian Prime Minister as recommended by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments from applicants who meet the legislated requirements since 2016. Prior to that date Prime Ministers made patronage appointments to the senate, often along partisan lines. Alberta is the only Canadian province that holds an election to vote in “Senators in Waiting.” It is the provincial government’s hope that the Prime Minister fills Alberta’s senatorial seats (6 in total) from the Senators in Waiting. However, the Prime Minister is not mandated to do so and may choose from anyone that has applied through the established federal process. Currently, there are 2 vacant Alberta Senate seats. 3 nominees will be elected in Alberta on October 18, 2021 (2 to hopefully be appointed immediately and one will sit as a Senator in Waiting to fill the next vacant seat).