Retiring senator calls for quick replacement

P.E.I. Senator Catherine Callbeck is urging the federal government to choose someone to replace her as soon as possible after she retires.

Callbeck reaches the mandatory age of retirement of 75 on Friday and will be stepping down from the Senate after a political career that spanned almost 30 years.

"I would like to see somebody replace me right away," said Callbeck.

"The prime minister has said, a while ago, that he's not going to be naming new senators. There'd be less voice in the Senate on behalf of Islanders, putting forth their views on all the issues that affect us."

Callbeck started off in provincial politics in 1974 as a Liberal MLA and was soon promoted to cabinet. In 1993, she made Canadian history, becoming the country's first elected woman premier. She resigned as premier in 1996 and was appointed to the Senate the next year.

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