Diane Griffin was welcomed as P.E.I.'s newest senator on Wednesday.

The environmentalist and former Stratford councillor was officially welcomed by P.E.I. Liberal Senator Elizabeth Hubley. Griffin will serve as an independent senator.

"You are joining the Senate at an exciting time in its long history," Hubley said. "We are working collectively to re-assess how we can best do our work here. It is a tremendous challenge and opportunity, to re-imagine how one of our founding political institutions should function in the years ahead."

Griffin is one of nine new senators appointed by Gov.-Gen. David Johnston.