The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the Governor General appointed Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia as an independent Senator to fill a vacancy in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Dr. Ravalia is a community leader, family physician, and senior medical officer at the Notre Dame Bay Memorial Health Centre in Newfoundland and Labrador. He is also an Associate Professor of Family Medicine and the Assistant Dean of Rural Medical Education Network at Memorial University.
Dr. Ravalia was recommended by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments and chosen using the merit-based process open to all Canadians. This process ensures Senators are independent, reflect Canada’s diversity, and are able to tackle the broad range of challenges and opportunities facing the country.
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“I am pleased to welcome Parliament’s newest independent Senator, Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia. Dr. Ravalia’s vast knowledge and experience have earned him high respect in the medical field, and I am confident that he will be a great ambassador in the Senate, not just for Newfoundland and Labrador, but for all of Canada.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- There have been 34 appointments to the Senate made on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
- Under the Canadian Constitution, the Governor General appoints individuals to the Senate. By convention, Senators are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister.
- Since 2016, the selection process for Senators has been opened to allow all Canadians to apply. Candidate submissions are reviewed by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, which provides the Prime Minister with recommendations. From the recommended pool of candidates, the Prime Minister selects the individuals he then recommends to the Governor General for appointment to the Senate.
- The Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments is guided by public, transparent, non-partisan, and merit-based criteria to identify highly qualified candidates.
- Once appointed by the Governor General and summoned to the Senate, the new Senators join their peers to examine and revise legislation, investigate national issues, and represent regional, provincial, and minority interests – important functions in a modern democracy.
Biographical Notes
Associated Links
- Frequently Asked Questions – Senate appointments process
- Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments
- Minister of Democratic Institutions announces improvements to the Senate appointments process and launches call for applications
- Minister of Democratic Institutions announces launch of the permanent phase of the Independent Senate Appointments Process
- Minister of Democratic Institutions announces establishment of the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments
- Government announces immediate Senate reform