PEI

2 Islanders to help pick new P.E.I. senator

Two Islanders have been chosen to help pick a new senator for P.E.I.

Brian Francis, Jeannette Arsenault will be on an independent advisory board set up by federal government

The Senate chamber on Parliament Hill is shown in a May 28, 2013 photo. Canadians can apply online for vacant Senates seats. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

Two Islanders have been chosen to help pick a new senator for P.E.I.

Abegweit First Nation Chief Brian Francis along with business owner Jeannette Arsenault will be on an independent advisory board set up by the federal government.

Their appointments were announced Thursday by Ottawa.
Abegweit First Nation Chief Brian Francis is one of the Islanders selected to help pick a new senator for P.E.I. (Laura Chapin/CBC)

They'll be tasked with reviewing applications for the job and making non-binding recommendations to the prime minister. Justin Trudeau will have the final say on senate appointments.

The P.E.I. seat has been vacant since July 2014 when Catherine Callbeck stepped down at the mandatory retirement age of 75.

There are 19 vacancies right now in seven provinces, including P.E.I. An additional vacancy will open in Quebec in August.

Canadians can apply online for the vacant positions.

The four-week application period started yesterday and is open until Aug. 4.