Welcome!

Senator Tony Dean was appointed to the Senate in November 2016 through an independent selection process established by Prime Minister Trudeau. The new process is part of an effort to make the Senate of Canada more transparent, independent and accountable.   Senator Dean was drawn to this aspect of Senate reform as well as being inspired by the Senate’s organized and thoughtful debate on medical assistance in dying legislation in the spring of 2016.

As a former public servant, Senator Dean is committed to contributing his skills and experiences to the evolution of the Senate – a 151 year old institution with 151 year old job descriptions. 

Since his appointment, he has focused his efforts on Senate modernization initiatives to help realize this organizational change, including his independent and collaborative approach to the sponsorship of a major Government bill – Bill C-45, better known as the Cannabis Act.

Senator Dean is a member of the Independent Senators Group, a member of the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee, as well as the Senate’s Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.