It has been nearly nine months since Senator Dennis Patterson retired on his 75th birthday, on Dec. 30, 2023.

Since then, Nunavut has been without a voice in CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 Senate and the Privy Council Office is providing no time frame for an appointment.

In the meantime, several large-scale federal announcements from housing, health and national defence have been made in the territory SA国际影视传媒� all following on the heels of NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 devolution from the federal government.

Patterson expressed concern about the diminished representation federally SA国际影视传媒渋n a region as big and diverse as Nunavut.SA国际影视传媒�

He cited his own precedent of being hired to the post in August 2009, only two months after the June 22, 2009, retirement of his predecessor, Willie Adams. Additionally, Patterson noted the appointment of eight senators from other provinces since he resigned SA国际影视传媒� one each from Saskatchewan and Manitoba just earlier this month. He pointed out that the provinces have several senators, so a vacancy there isn't as crucial.  

SA国际影视传媒淢y experience in the last 14 years is that itSA国际影视传媒檚 a demanding job. But because thereSA国际影视传媒檚 only two representatives in Parliament for a region that is so huge, and as we all know has so many pressing issues... plus the routine concerns that constituents have... there are also language barriers," he said. "That avenue is no longer available to complement the work of our busy MP.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 not to mention the important work the senator does with committees and bills. In my opinion, itSA国际影视传媒檚 the most important work the senator does," he said. "ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of chance to shine a light on issues through committees. That is now missing too, that opportunity to participate in the most important process of the Senate.SA国际影视传媒�

Another huge issue is lack of Inuit representation federally, says Patterson.

SA国际影视传媒淚nuit have always struggled to carve out a specific identity [because of] their uniqueness when they are a minority in the Indigenous population... with all the attention being paid out at the moment to reconciliation, thatSA国际影视传媒檚 another strong point to the Nunavut voice being lost.SA国际影视传媒�

A senator is also in a position not only to invite witnesses in front of committees for important issues, but to be the strongest advocate for NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 interests, according to Patterson.

SA国际影视传媒淪o that voice hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 been heard... thereSA国际影视传媒檚 unique implications.SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Missing out on the consultation process

Federal spending decisions, especially as the government moves into preparation for pre-budget consultations, are a pivotal for a senator's input, in Patterson's view.

SA国际影视传媒淭hat was always a big part of my job," he said. "Unless the appointment is made soon, Nunavut will miss out on the consultation process.SA国际影视传媒�

Enormous expenditures such as NORAD modernization and Northern infrastructure investments could be made in the absence of a Nunavut senator, meaning that the interests of Nunavummiut may be ignored and sidelined, he suggested.

SA国际影视传媒淭here are all these opportunities that have been lost, is my point,SA国际影视传媒� said Patterson. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e always characterized the job as having a privileged platform to speak as loud and proud as possible. The North tends to get overlooked. There are only two representatives. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 very easy for our [federal cabinet] ministers to get focused on the clusters of populations... in big southern cities. It makes our vacancy all the more important.SA国际影视传媒�

When contacted for comment as to the delay behind NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 Senate appointment, Pierre-Alain Bujold, assistant manager of media relations for the Privy Council Office, stated, SA国际影视传媒淭he Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments is an independent and non-partisan body established in 2016 to provide advice to the prime minister on candidates for Senate appointments. The advisory board, when convened by the prime minister, reviews applications in provinces and territories where there are planned or current vacancies. The advisory board members review each application, applying the assessment criteria, to identify potential candidates for recommendation to the prime minister. The advisory board prepares a non-binding short-list of five candidates for the prime ministerSA国际影视传媒檚 consideration, for each vacancy to be filled.

SA国际影视传媒淭he terms of reference of the advisory board do not dictate a time frame for the boardSA国际影视传媒檚 work, and timelines from the application review start date to the appointment can vary. An appointment will be made in due course.SA国际影视传媒�

Bujold was asked how many applications have been received from Nunavut but he did not disclose that information.