Indira Samarasekera, Senior Advisor in Bennett Jones?' Vancouver office, has been appointed to the newly established Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments (Advisory Board). The Advisory Board will be an independent and non-partisan body whose mandate is to provide the Prime Minister with merit-based recommendations on Senate nominations.

"Congratulations to Indira on this prestigious and important appointment," said Hugh MacKinnon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bennett Jones.

The establishment of the Advisory Board is described as the first step in the federal government's comprehensive plan to create a new and non-partisan process to provide the Prime Minister with non-binding recommendations on Senate appointments. The Board will undertake broad consultations within the three provinces with the greatest number of vacancies in the Senate. Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba have the largest number, with 22 in total.

Indira advises Bennett Jones clients on mining, oil and gas, and environmental matters and is ?internationally recognized as one of Canada's leading metallurgical engineers. She has been awarded the Peter Lougheed award for leadership in public policy and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012). She is an Officer of the Order of Canada (2002) and is a former president and vice-chancellor of the University of Alberta (2005-2015). Indira is a member of the board of directors for Scotiabank and Magna International, and serves on the boards of the Asia-Pacific Foundation and the Rideau Hall Foundation.

For more on the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, visit http://www.democraticinstitutions.gc.ca/eng/content/minister-democratic-institutions-announces-establishment-independent-advisory-board-senate.

About Bennett Jones

Bennett Jones is one of Canada's premier business law firms and home to over 380 lawyers and business advisors in nine offices. With exceptional experience in complex cross-border and international transactions, the firm is well equipped to advise foreign businesses and investors with Canadian ventures, and connect Canadian businesses and investors with opportunities around the world.