Trudeau announces the appointment of Senators Ian Shugart and Flordeliz Osler

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the appointment of two new senators on Monday, including former Clerk of the Privy Council Ian Shugart.

The latter, who will represent Ontario in the Upper House, was the most senior federal official at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He succeeded Michael Wernick, who resigned after testifying in the SNC-Lavalin case.

Mr. Shugart has also served as Deputy Minister in several government departments, such as Global Affairs Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada. In addition to becoming a Senator, Mr. Shugart will also serve as a member of the King’s Privy Council, which includes current and alumni, but also “a certain number of chosen people whom we wish to honor for their contributions to Canada”, specifies the office of the Prime Minister in a press release.

Mr. Trudeau also announced the nomination of Flordeliz “Gigi” Osler among the senators from Manitoba.

Ms. Osler is a renowned Winnipeg surgeon who in 2018 became the first woman of color to chair the Canadian Medical Association, the Prime Minister’s Office points out on its website. The new senator was born in Winnipeg to parents from India and the Philippines.

Like other senators appointed under the government of Justin Trudeau, Mr. Shugart and Ms. Osler will be independent members of the Senate.