Labrador Needs Its Voice in the Senate

How about this for a title?

Senator Yvonne Jones.

Senator Sarah Leo.

Or what if someone like Peter Woodward took a seat in the Red Chamber?

These are just some names being considered as potential candidates to fill a recent vacancy in the Senate of Canada.

Elizabeth Marshall stepped down from the Senate in March after serving since 2010.

She was one of the province’s six senators in the Parliament’s upper house, intended to provide a “sober second thought” on legislation.

The empty seat has current and former political leaders from Labrador wondering if it’s time for a Labradorian to step up next.

In 160 years, there hasn’t been a senator born in Labrador.

Former Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair MHA Danny Dumaresque suggests it might be time for another campaign, similar to what happened in the 1980s when they fought for Labrador’s own seat in the House of Commons.

“I think it’s appropriate, some 40 years after we got our own member of Parliament, that now we should have one of our Senate seats filled for Newfoundland and Labrador by one of the great leaders that we have in Labrador,” Dumaresque told .

Former Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair MHA Danny Dumaresque says it’s time someone from Labrador joined the Senate. (Peter Cowan/CBC)

A Suggested Candidate

Former Labrador West MHA Graham Letto already has someone specific in mind for this role.

“When you look at… people who have gone above and beyond to serve Labrador, from Labrador, the first person that comes to my mind is Yvonne Jones,” Letto told . “I think she would be an excellent representative for Labrador within the Senate.”

Jones has extensive experience in public service within Labrador.

Graham Letto says he thinks Yvonne Jones would be “an excellent representative for Labrador.” (Submitted by Graham Letto)

She began her career as mayor of her hometown Mary’s Harbour back in 1991.

Following that achievement, she defeated incumbent Dumaresque to become the MHA for Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair in 1996.

Then she made her way into federal politics by becoming the Member of Parliament for Labrador in 2013.

Last year, she chose not to run again in the upcoming 2025 federal election.

Although Jones declined to comment on this story, Letto believes her track record speaks volumes.

Underrepresented Voices

Long-time MP Bill Rompk ey served as a senator from 1995 until 2011.

Before entering politics, he worked as an educator right here in Labrador. Although Rompk ey was born on the island and spent much of his life outside Big Land,

Mayor Jordan Brown believes he truly cared about issues affecting Labrador.

Brown feels that when Rompk ey’s term ended, there should’ve been a replacement from Labrador.

“I feel like we’ve been underrepresented in that chamber for quite some time since [the late Bill Rompk ey retired from the Upper House in 2011] and during Harper’s government [they] chose not to put a Laboradorian back there,” he told .

Labrador City Mayor Jordan Brown is encouraging people to put their name or someone’s name forward so someone from Labrador sits in th e Red Chamber. (CBC)

Dumaresque believes having an advocate for issues specific to Laborador is essential.

“We have a great Member of Parliament there Mr.[Philip] Earle and I’m sure he can always use assistance advocating fo r unique situations that arise often inside Big Land,” he said.

Dumaresque thinks it may take more lobbying effort s on behalf o f Laborador before getting its senator seat filled.

“The lobbying effort hasn’t been effective enough previously; maybe raising awareness at this time will help,” he added.

The Nomination Process

You can apply or nominate someone year-round f or an appointment t o th e Senate.

An advisory board evaluates nominees based on merit criteria which include knowledge about Canadian Constitution , non-partisan perspective t owa rds Senate matters , along with prior legislative process experience alongside public service work.

Candidates must be between ages thirty t o seventy-five years old.

The committee prioritizes gender parity while also considering Indigenous , minority , and ethnic communities representation.

Brown encourages everyone t o submit their names or others who could represent us well.

“We need somebody voicing our interests there ,” he stated. “If another non-Labradorian gets appointed again without representation its likely going take long before another chance like thi s arises.”

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