Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today announced that the Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, has appointed Baltej Dhillon as an independent senator to fill a vacancy in the Senate representing British Columbia.
Baltej Dhillon is a retired career police officer, community leader, and lifelong advocate for diversity and inclusion. In 1991, Mr. Dhillon made history as the first Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer permitted to wear a turban, symbolizing a significant step toward greater inclusivity within Canadian institutions. Over his distinguished 30-year career with the RCMP, he played key roles in several high-profile investigations. Since 2019, he has contributed to British Columbia’s anti-gang agency and remained active in his community as a youth leader.
These new senators were recommended by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments and chosen using a merit-based process open to all Canadians. Introduced in 2016, this process ensures senators are independent and able to tackle the broad range of challenges and opportunities facing the country.
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“Congratulations to Mr. Dhillon on his appointment as Parliament’s newest independent senator. His broad range of experience will be a great benefit to the Senate, and I am confident he will continue to be a strong voice for his community.”
– The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- The Senate is the Upper House in Canada’s parliamentary democracy.
- Candidate submissions were reviewed by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, which provided recommendations to the Prime Minister. The Board is guided in its work by public, transparent, non-partisan, and merit-based criteria to identify highly qualified candidates for the Senate.
- With today’s announcement, there have been 93 independent appointments to the Senate made on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. All of them were recommended by the Board.
- Under the Canadian Constitution, the Governor General appoints individuals to the Senate. By convention, senators are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister.
- Once appointed by the Governor General, new senators join their peers to examine and revise legislation, investigate national issues, and represent regional, provincial and territorial, and minority interests – important functions in a modern democracy.
Baltej Dhillon is a retired career police officer, community leader, and lifelong advocate for diversity and inclusion. In 1991, he became the first RCMP officer permitted to wear a turban, marking a significant milestone in Canadian history. Over his 30-year career with the RCMP, he played key roles in several high-profile investigations. Since 2019, he has worked with British Columbia’s anti-gang agency and remained active in his community as a youth leader.