Another Senator Appointed by Trudeau Joins the Conservative Caucus

Senator Mary Jane McCallum of Manitoba, a previously non-affiliated senator appointed by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has joined the Senate Conservative Caucus.

She is the second Trudeau-appointed senator this month to join the Conservatives after Senator David Adams Richards also joined the Tory caucus on June 3.

“Senator McCallum is a principled leader and a tireless advocate for Canada’s Indigenous communities,” Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Leo Housakos said in a June 10 statement welcoming McCallum to the Conservative caucus.

McCallum is of Cree heritage, a member of Barren Lands First Nation, and an advocate for improved health, education, and opportunity in First Nations communities in Manitoba. She said she decided to join the Tories in an effort to broaden her community’s collaboration circle.

“After consulting with the Grand Chiefs and community leaders, I feel strongly that this is a crucial step in building bridges,” McCallum said in a statement.

“Our communities have long sought opportunities for greater collaboration and mutual understanding. By joining the Senate Conservative Caucus, I hope to help broaden the conversation and ensure Indigenous perspectives are reflected across the full political spectrum.”

Housakos said McCallum’s “expertise and unique perspective will be invaluable as we work to strengthen the Senate’s role as a forum for open debate, diversity of thought, rigorous accountability, and meaningful dialogue reflective of all Canadians.”

McCallum provided dental services to First Nations communities across the province throughout her career. She first received a Dental Nursing Diploma in 1977 before a Dental Therapy Diploma in 1979, followed by a Doctor of Dental Medicine in 1990.

Appointed by Trudeau

McCallum is the second Trudeau-appointed senator to join the Conservative caucus recently. Senator Richards of New Brunswick was welcomed to the Conservative Senate Caucus by Housakos on June 3.

Trudeau removed all senators from the Liberal caucus in 2014 before he was elected prime minister in 2015, in a bid to make the upper chamber non-partisan. Following this move, he only appointed independent senators once he became prime minister, saying that party affiliation interfered with the Senate’s duty to provide proper checks and balances, and magnified the prime minister’s power.