There is now one more Jamaican appointed to the Canadian Senate. Ontario’s senate seat has been filled by Governor General Mary Simon’s appointment of Paulette Senior, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Women’s Foundation, as an independent senator.
Senior was reared in Clarendon by her grandmother after being born in Kingston. At the age of eleven, she immigrated to Canada in 1973.
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Known for her commitment to “dismantling systemic barriers, and building up women and girls of varied backgrounds,” the former CEO of YWCA Canada is well-known.
“With a wealth of knowledge and experience, Marnie McBean, Paulette Senior, and Toni Varone will be important voices for their communities as Parliament’s newest independent senators. I look forward to working with them and with all senators to make progress on the issues that matter most to Canadians and to help build a better future for everyone,” The selection of businessman and philanthropist Toni Varone and senior Olympian and motivational speaker Marnie McBean was announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In addition to being an author and an Officer of the Order of Canada, McBean is praised as one of the most accomplished Olympians in Canadian history. He supports social justice causes and acts as an inspiration for upcoming Canadian athletes.
Varone has served as the president of the Varone Group and as a member of the Villa Charities Foundation board for a long period. Building secure, reasonably priced housing and advancing the social and cultural life of Toronto’s Italian-Canadian community have been the focal points of his civic involvement. Senior responded to the appointment by highlighting her dedication to service and pointing out: “I am so deeply honored to be appointed in this tremendously auspicious role as a senator in service to Canada, the country to which I have lived and devoted my life for 50 years! As a child of Jamaican roots who had to navigate a new culture fraught with systemic barriers, I’m proud that the grounding I received from my grandmother fortified me with the strength and confidence to not only survive but thrive, and advocate for justice and equality for all, but especially for those most marginalized and shunned. It’s been my life’s work that I will continue to advance as a senator. “
Senior has worked with institutions like Lawrence Heights Community Health Centre, Macaulay Child Development Centre, Yellow Brick House, and job and housing projects in Toronto, leading, managing, and running them. The G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council and the Women’s College Hospital are two organizations with an equality focus that she has served on the boards of directors of.
The activist is presently a member of the Women’s Funding Network, the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, and Oxfam Canada’s board of directors. She became a member of the Independent Advisory Board for Supreme Court of Canada Judicial Appointments in 2022 following her appointment.
Senior has won numerous accolades for her community service, including the AfroGlobal Leadership Award, the Harry Jerome Trailblazer Award from the Black Business and Professional Association, the African Canadian Achievement Award, the Top 25 Women of Influence Award, and most recently, the Skills for Change Impact Changemaker Award.
She graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and urban studies. She also has an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Lethbridge.
McBean, an author, an Officer of the Order of Canada, and one of the most accomplished Olympians in Canadian history, supports social justice issues and acts as an inspiration for young athletes in the country.
Varone has been on the board of the Villa Charities Foundation for a long time and is the president of the Varone Group. Building secure, reasonably priced housing and advancing the social and cultural life of Toronto’s Italian-Canadian community have been the focal points of his civic involvement. In Canada’s parliamentary democracy, the Senate, the Upper House, unites a varied collection of talented citizens who serve their nation. It was established to balance the House of Commons’ representation by population. In addition to defending local interests, it gives historically marginalized groups including women, racialized communities, and Indigenous Peoples a voice.
In 2016, all Canadians were allowed to participate in the senatorial selection process. The Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments reviews candidate applications and makes recommendations to the prime minister. To find highly competent applicants, the board is driven by open, transparent, impartial, and merit-based standards.
With this week’s announcement, Prime Minister Trudeau has appointed 78 independent senators to the Senate, all of whom were nominated by the board.
According to the Canadian Constitution, the Governor-General chooses senators, who then work with their colleagues to review and amend laws, look into national concerns, and represent minority, regional, and provincial interests. Senior becomes the second Jamaican senator from Ontario to serve in the Chamber, following Rosemary Moodie, who was appointed in 2018, and Sharon Burey, who was appointed in 2022.
