Two Edmontonians, including journalist Paula Simons, have been appointed to the Senate, the Prime Minister's Office announced Wednesday. LaBoucane-Benson has dedicated her life to helping Indigenous families and worked to improve opportunities for vulnerable youth in Alberta, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said. "These three new independent senators bring a wealth of experience with them to the Red Chamber," Trudeau said in a media statement. The Independent Senators Group now constitutes the largest bloc in the Senate and holds a plurality with 47 seats, followed by 31 Conservative senators and 11 Liberals. In Calgary Wednesday, Alberta Official Opposition Leader Jason Kenney congratulated Simons and LaBoucane-Benson but said Trudeau should have appointed Mike Shaikh, who came third in Alberta's 2012 senate election vote.

Source: CBC News October 03, 2018 18:08 UTC