Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plans to fill all ten Senate seat vacancies before stepping down in March, a move that would cement his influence in the upper chamber for possibly decades.
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that the Senate appointments advisory board is actively reviewing candidates for the empty seats.
These appointments would mark Trudeau's final chance to shape the Senate before the Liberal Party selects its new leader on March 9.
"The prime minister takes his responsibility to appoint senators seriously and will do so as long as he remains in office," said PMO spokesman Simon Lafortune in a statement.
Since taking office in 2015, Trudeau has named 90 senators to the 105-seat chamber.
While Trudeau has often talked about Senator “independence,” many recent appointments have strong Liberal Party connections.
Conservative senators warn these appointments could block future legislation if Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wins the next election.
Recent polls show the Conservatives heading to a massive majority government.
"For someone who advocated an independent Senate, he will have ended up filling the Senate with a large majority of Liberals or people who support his policies," said Conservative Senator Claude Carignan.
Trudeau's recent Senate picks include former Liberal MPs Rodger Cuzner and Nancy Karetak-Lindell, along with past Liberal candidates Tracy Muggli, Bernadette Clement, and Michèle Audette.
Trudeau has also appointed several former provincial Liberal politicians and party organizers.
When Trudeau became prime minister, the Senate had 22 vacancies.
Trudeau changed the appointment process by creating an advisory committee to recommend candidates based on merit, describing new senators as "independent" rather than party members.
Senators can serve until age 75, meaning Trudeau's final appointments could influence Senate decisions for decades.
While senators acknowledge their unelected status limits their power compared to Members of Parliament, many appointed under Trudeau said they would continue reviewing legislation carefully.
Several have indicated they might oppose laws that use the notwithstanding clause to block Charter challenges.
This stance could create tension with a potential Conservative government.
Poilievre has said he would use "whatever tools the Constitution allows" to pass criminal justice reforms, which many interpret as a willingness to use the notwithstanding clause.
Currently, 12 Conservative senators serve as the Official Opposition in the upper chamber.
If the Conservatives win the next election, which is expected this spring, a different group of senators would likely form the Opposition.
The PMO maintains that proroguing Parliament earlier this month does not affect the Governor General's ability to make Senate appointments on the prime minister's advice, clearing the way for Trudeau's final selections before leaving office.
