Prime Minister announces new Speaker of the Senate

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the appointment of the Honourable Noël A. Kinsella as Speaker of the Senate.  In making the announcement, the Prime Minister also expressed his deep appreciation to the outgoing Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable Dan Hays, for his very distinguished service to the Senate and to Parliament.

“Senator Kinsella is respected on both sides of the Senate as an eminent and experienced parliamentarian and I am confident that he will be an excellent Speaker of the Senate,” said the Prime Minister.

The appointment takes effect immediately.


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The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella


Speaker of the Senate

The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella was a senior public servant serving as Associate Under-Secretary of State of Canada when he was summoned to the Senate of Canada on September 12, 1990.

Since his appointment to the Senate, Dr. Kinsella has served as Opposition Whip, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and most recently as the elected Leader of the Opposition. He also has been a member of Senate Standing Committees, including Human Rights; Social Affairs, Science and Technology; and National Finance.

Prior to his appointment as a Senator, Dr. Kinsella served as Chairperson of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission for 22 years, beginning in 1967 and is well-known nationally and internationally as a human rights advocate and academic.

Dr. Kinsella earned several university degrees, including doctorates in philosophy, theology and psychology. He has had a successful career as an academic, psychologist and labour arbitrator, with three books, several monographs and more than 50 articles published in the fields of psychology and human rights.

In 1984, he was made a Knight of the Order of Malta.

Dr. Kinsella was born in Saint John, New Brunswick, in 1939. He is married to Ann.