Carney defends appointment of his principal secretary to Senate

Prime Minister Mark Carney defended the appointment of his principal secretary Tom Pitfield to the Senate, saying that having people with different areas of expertise is important for the institution. 

Pitfield, a longtime Liberal strategist, was one of four new appointments announced Tuesday, as the prime minister drops the non-partisan criteria for appointments to the upper chamber.

Carney told reporters at a brief news conference at the NATO summit in Turkey that Pitfield is an entrepreneur and philanthropist with strong knowledge about technology.

"We look at the Senate as a whole and what the competencies are — and obviously familiarity with government, familiarity with legislative processes are helpful — but we want some core competencies in there as well," Carney said.

Carney announced changes to the selection process Tuesday, including the removal of a non-partisan rule introduced by former prime minister Justin Trudeau.

The Prime Minister's Office also announced this week that application criteria for senators are being expanded to put increased emphasis on expertise in strategic industries, regulatory frameworks and emerging social and economic affairs. 

Also appointed to the upper chamber was Quebec Conservative MP Richard Martel, New Brunswick cancer researcher Dr. Rodney Ouellette and chartered professional accountant Geeta Tucker for Manitoba. 

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office confirmed Carney selected Pitfield and Martel as appointees himself.

Lori Turnbull, a political science professor at Dalhousie University, has said she expects to see Pitfield emerge as Carney's "right hand" in the Senate.

Senator Leo Housakos, leader of the Opposition in the Senate, meanwhile announced Wednesday that Senator Jim Quinn is joining the Conservative caucus in the upper chamber.

Quinn, a New Brunswicker who was formerly affiliated with the Canadian Senators Group, has been a senator since 2021 and was previously president and CEO of Port Saint John.

"I know (Quinn) will continue to be a strong and effective voice for New Brunswickers within our growing Conservative caucus in the Senate," Housakos said in a statement posted to X.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 8, 2026.

By Kyle Duggan | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.