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Jul 15, 2026 6:09 PM - Connect Newsroom - Ramandeep Kaur with files from The Canadian Press

Federal government names new members to independent Senate appointments advisory board

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François Rolland has been appointed chair of the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments as the federal government announces new members to the panel. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

The federal government has announced new appointments to the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, one week after Prime Minister Mark Carney named four new senators to the upper chamber.

According to a federal government news release, the advisory board will continue to provide non-binding recommendations to the prime minister on Senate appointments. The board was established in 2016 to support a merit-based and independent appointments process.

The government said the board will continue to include three federal members, including a chair, along with two additional members from each province or territory where a Senate vacancy exists. François Rolland, who has served as a federal member since 2018, has been appointed chair of the board.

Other newly announced members include former senator Sarabjit Marwah, former Westmount mayor Christina Smith, and Indigenous leader and retired provincial court judge James Igloliorte.

The announcement follows Prime Minister Carney's recent appointment of four senators, including Principal Secretary Tom Pitfield and former Conservative MP Richard Martel.

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