Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's former chief economic advisor, Mark Carney, is set to appoint his long-time strategist, Tom Pitfield, to the Senate as part of filling vacant seats in Canada's upper chamber.The announcement, expected on Tuesday, marks one of Carney's first actions since becoming prime minister.

Pitfield, who has served as Carney's principal secretary since 2023 and played a key role in shaping the government's AI strategy, will likely fill a Quebec vacancy given his Montreal roots.There are currently 10 Senate vacancies out of 105 seats, with five in Quebec alone.

While Carney may not fill all vacancies in this round, he plans to reform the advisory board established by his predecessor, Justin Trudeau, which recommends candidates for Senate appointments.

The board, created in 2015 after Trudeau's decision to remove Liberal senators from caucus following a scandal, now faces challenges with empty provincial and territorial slots.

Pitfield's appointment underscores continued Liberal influence in Senate politics, as many appointed senators maintain ties to the party despite sitting independently.