Sen. Kristopher Wells, a Liberal appointee, denied partisan affiliations Wednes day while defending his appointment against criticism from Alberta officials and Conservative MPs. Blacklock's Reporter says Wells, a former director of the University of Alberta’s Institute for Sexual Minority Studies, was named to the Senate on August 31, despite over one million Albertans voting for alternative Senate nominees in a 2021 provincial election.Wells emphasized his dedication to public service in testimony at the Commons heritage committee, stating, “As someone new to the Senate, what remarkable colleagues I have who come from all walks of life and who bring their lived-in professional experience to bear on issues that matter the most to Canadians.”Premier Danielle Smith criticized the appointment, saying it ignored Alberta’s Senate election results. “The Prime Minister has chosen to appoint left-wing partisans who will do whatever he and the Liberals order them to,” Smith said.Conservative MP Damien Kurek questioned Wells about his awareness of Alberta’s Senate election results. “Do you know three individuals by the name of Pam Davidson, Erika Barootes, and Mykhailo Martyniouk?” Kurek asked. Wells replied, “I know they are Albertans” but indicated no further familiarity. Kurek highlighted their positions as top vote-getters in the provincewide election and argued, “Alberta voters should be free to express their democratic will and who represents them in Canada’s Senate.”Wells declined to engage with questions about the relevance of Alberta’s Senate election process to his appointment. Liberal MP Taleeb Noormohamed defended Wells, pointing out, “Most Canadians with knowledge of the Constitution know that senators are appointed.”Wells also denied current political affiliations or accusations of wrongdoing. He acknowledged a prior $200 donation to the Liberal Party and reiterated his critique of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s actions and associations, citing past remarks labeling Poilievre as “transphobic” and calling his interactions with a Calgary Stampede attendee wearing a “Straight Pride” T-shirt “unconscionable.”“I think it’s very concerning,” Wells said, condemning what he described as the normalization of hateful narratives.
