The Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments is the chief clerk and senior administrative officer of the Senate of Canada.

List of Clerks

  • 1867–1871 John Fennings Taylor Sr.
  • 1871–1883 Robert Le Moine
  • 1883–1900 Edouard-Joseph Langevin
  • 1900–1917 Samuel-Edmour St-Onge Chapleau
  • 1917–1938 Austen Ernest Blount
  • 1938–1955 L. Clare Moyer
  • 1955–1968 John Forbes MacNeill
  • 1968–1981 Robert Fortier
  • 1981–1989 Charles A. Lussier
  • 1989–1994 Gordon Barnhart
  • 1994–2009 Paul Bélisle
  • 2009–2015 Gary W. O'Brien
  • 2015–2017 Charles Robert (Interim)
  • 2017–2018 Nicole Proulx (Interim; first female clerk)
  • 2018—2020 Richard Denis (Interim)
  • 2020—2024 Gérald Lafrenière (Interim)
  • May 7, 2024 — present Shaila Anwar

See also

  • Clerk of the House of Commons (Canada)
  • Clerk of the Parliaments



Senate of Canada History and Composition TheLawmatics

Gallery of The Senate of Canada Building / Diamond Schmitt Architects

Canada's Senate Sober second thought CBC News

Reforming the Senate Pierre MP

Canada’s Senate reputation, expense claims, oversight RCI English