‘A big, big deal’ — Windsor’s Sandra Pupatello appointed to Canadian Senate

Canada’s Senate has gained another Windsor representative.

Former provincial cabinet minister and long-time local politician, Sandra Pupatello, is one of three newly appointed senators who will represent the province in the upper chamber of the Canadian government.

“I feel honoured about the opportunity,” said Pupatello, speaking to the Star on Friday evening. “I had a call from the prime minister this week, which was very surprising, because there’s a lot going on in the world right now.

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“The idea that he has to deal with that level of detail, filling spots in the Senate when we’re facing this existential threat from Donald Trump — I was just impressed.”

Trudeau announced Friday that the Governor General also appointed Katherine Hay and Farah Mohamed alongside Pupatello. The three independent senators will fill vacancies in Ontario. 

“With their broad range of experience and commitment to public service, I am confident they will make important contributions to the Senate and represent the voices of Canadians from coast to coast to coast,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Pupatello is now the fifth Windsorite to be appointed a senator.

In 2022, Dr. Sharon Burey, a pediatrician, became the first Windsor resident appointed to the Canadian senate in 40 years. She was also the first woman from the area to hold the position.

Before that, John Keith McBroom Laird, held the position from 1967 to 1982. Paul Martin, Sr. was a senator from 1968 to 1974 and Charles Eusebe Casgrain was senator from 1825 to 1907.

“Senator Burey has been outstanding, especially in her advocacy for children’s health and community health,” MP Irek Kusmierczyk (L — Windsor-Tecumseh) told the Star on Friday afternoon. “She has been outstanding in the Senate.

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“To have two strong senators, two strong voices who understand our community inside and out — this is a big, big deal.”

Pupatello’s appointment, he said, “couldn’t come at a better time.” She’s someone “who understands labour, who has strong connections with both the labour world and the business world.”

“To have an additional voice advocating for policies and investments that strengthen communities like ours, specifically manufacturing communities like ours. She’s someone that understands international trade, someone who understands global supply chains.

“The timing is excellent.”

Pupatello held the riding of Windsor-Sandwich as a member of the Ontario Liberal Party from 1995 to 1999, and the riding of Windsor West from 1999 to 2011.

In 2003, Pupatello was appointed to cabinet as the Minister of Community and Social Services with a focus on women’s issues. She was promoted to Ontario Minister of Education in 2005, before being reassigned as Minister of Economic Development and Trade in 2006.

She served as Ontario’s Chief Investment Officer from 2006-2011.

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“She led trade delegations around the world and provided steady leadership through a uniquely challenging economic climate,” the government said.

In 2012, Pupatello ran for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party, but lost to Kathleen Wynne. In 2019, she campaigned as the federal Liberal candidate in Windsor West. Pupatello placed second behind New Democratic Party incumbent Brian Masse by 1,922 votes.

She ran again as the liberal candidate in the riding during the 2021 Canadian federal election, but lost to Masse a second time by 8,032 votes.

Pupatello is currently the president of Canadian International Avenues Ltd., a management consulting firm she founded following her career in provincial politics.

“I’m always going to be representing Windsor in some fashion,” Pupatello said. “I hope for the city and city residents — who’ve always been good to me — that I can can make them proud in this new role.”

The new senators were recommended by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments and chosen using a merit-based process open to all Canadians.

With the appointment of all five senators — including Dawn Arnold for New Brunswick and Tony Ince for Nova Scotia — all 105 seats in the Senate are now filled.

The Liberal Party of Canada is set to announce its new leader to replace Trudeau on March 9.

“I’m looking forward to working with two senators who understand our community very closely,” Kusmierczyk said.

— With files from Taylor Campbell

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