Former Windsor MPP Sandra Pupatello named Canadian senator

Sandra Pupatello, former MPP for Windsor West, is now a Canadian senator. 

Pupatello is among five new appointees to the Senate announced by the Prime Minister's Office on Friday.

The announcement mentioned Pupatello's time in politics, and described her as "an experienced businesswoman" as well as "an advocate for Ontario's economic growth and development."

In a phone interview Friday, Pupatello said she was excited — and surprised — to find out about the appointment.

"I was very honoured to get that call and I'm looking forward to it," she said. "It's sort of a new chapter in a new role, but still defending Ontario, defending Canada and I'm proud of that."

"There's a lot going on in government right now," she said. "So the fact that they have to take the time, in light of everything that we're facing related to the U.S. — I was just very surprised."

Pupatello joins Dawn Arnold of New Brunswick, Tony Ince of Nova Scotia, and fellow Ontarians Katherine Hay and Farah Mohamed as the Senate's newest members.

According to the announcement, the appointments were recommended by an independent advisory board, and were chosen "using a merit-based process open to all Canadians."

Pupatello, 62, was first elected Windsor West's MPP in 1995. She held the office for 16 years, announcing in 2011 that she would not seek re-election.

During her time at Queen's Park, she held several cabinet posts in the Ontario Liberal government, including Minister of Community and Social Services and Minister of Economic Development and Trade.

Following her departure from the Windsor West MPP seat, Pupatello worked on Bay Street for the financial services giant PricewaterhouseCoopers and founded her own management consulting firm.

She also held positions including chair of Hydro One and CEO of the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation (now called Invest WindsorEssex).

But Pupatello has had other forays into politics since her MPP days. In 2013, she made a bid for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party, but was defeated by Kathleen Wynne.

She also made two unsuccessful attempts to supplant Brian Masse as MP for Windsor West — first in the 2019 federal election, and again in 2021.

Canadian senators, who have an annual base salary of $178,100, are tasked with examining, improving, and correcting legislation. A bill must pass through the Senate before becoming law.

Pupatello acknowledged Friday that working in the upper chamber will be a change of gears for her.

"It's a different role. It is nonpartisan. It really is about the facts and what are we doing that's good for the country," she said. "So it is a different role from what I've had in the past."

She said she's always been passionate about how government policy affects the business community and everyday lives, and is looking forward to putting "fresh eyes" on legislation.

"I hope that my history here in Windsor will stand me in good stead, because the people of Windsor have always been really good to me and helped me learn along the way," she said. "So I hope I can make use of that experience."