David Wells (politician)

David Mark Wells (born February 28, 1962) is a Canadian senator from Newfoundland and Labrador. He was appointed to the Senate on January 25, 2013 by Governor General David Johnston after receiving a nomination from Prime Minister Stephen Harper.[1] He is the former Chair of the Subcommittee on Senate Estimates and is the current Chair of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight.[2][3] Wells is a strong proponent of accountability and transparency in the Senate.[4]

The Honourable

David Wells
Senator from
Newfoundland and Labrador
Assumed office
January 25, 2013
Nominated byStephen Harper
Appointed byDavid Johnston
Preceded byEthel Cochrane
Personal details
Born (1962-02-28) February 28, 1962
Political partyConservative
ResidenceSt. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

Prior to his appointment to the Upper Chamber, Wells served as Deputy CEO and Board member of the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (CNLOPB) and was a member of the Board’s Finance Committee.[5][6] Wells is involved in regional and national community work, with a special focus on civic engagement of youth.[6]

Wells endorsed Peter Mackay in the 2020 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election.[7]

Career

During his time as Deputy CEO and Board member of the CNLOPB, Wells worked on issues related to health and safety, resource management, the environment, and industrial benefits.[8] As a leader in the Canadian oil and gas industry, he served as a member of the International Regulators’ Forum on Global Offshore Safety, spearheading health and safety improvements in the industry, and worked to improve environmental practices and procedures, especially relating to oil spill mitigation and response, alongside federal agencies and departments.[6] He has brought his expertise from this role to the Senate and is an active promoter of responsible resource development.[8] Wells also led the response to the Auditor General of Canada’s audit of the CNLOPB in 2012.

Prior to serving at the CNLOPB, Wells held senior roles in the Canadian government, including Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and Director of Regional Affairs for Newfoundland and Labrador.[9][10] Bringing these experiences to the Senate, Wells advocates for positive change on issues affecting Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada.[6]

Senate of Canada

Wells was nominated to the Senate of Canada by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and was officially appointed on January 25, 2013.[1]

Committee Leadership

Since his appointment, Wells has served on numerous Senate committees, with a special focus on topics related to Senate administration, finance, audit, and responsible resource development. He is the current Chair of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight and is the former chair of the Subcommittee on the Senate Estimates.[3][2] In this capacity, he led the Senate’s first ever zero-based budgeting process.[11] He has served on the steering committee of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.[12] Wells has also served as Deputy Chair of the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, Chaired at the time by former General and Senator, the Honourable Romeo Dallaire.[13]

Prominent Bill Involvement

In 2014, Wells was the Senate sponsor of Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and other Acts and to provide for certain other measures.[14] The bill centred on offshore safety, and passed unanimously in the Senate, receiving Royal Assent in June 2014.[14]  During the bill’s Second Reading in the Senate Chamber on May 15, 2014, Wells stated, “Bill C-5 gives the offshore industry a clear occupational health and safety framework that is enforceable by law and free of jurisdictional uncertainty. It creates a modern safety regime tailored to the unique circumstances of the offshore industry. It clarifies accountability by establishing clear roles and responsibilities for all parties involved, and it provides modern enforcement powers to new occupational and safety officers and to existing operational safety officers.”[15]

In 2018, Wells voiced his opposition to Bill C-48, the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act.[8] He spoke in the Senate Chamber on November 28, 2018 during the Second Reading debate regarding the bill, arguing that it is “unnecessary and harmful” to Canada’s economy and that there are better ways “to achieve the objectives of environmental protection and responsible resource development.” [16]

Canada-Europe Relations

Throughout his career in the Senate, Wells has made diplomatic contributions to Canada-Europe relations. In October 2016, Wells spoke at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe regarding establishing standards for unaccompanied refugee minors, and also met with Marie-Anne Coninsx, former EU Ambassador to Canada, to discuss CETA, Brexit, and other issues of international relations.[17][18] In October 2017, Wells spoke at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris about immigration systems and practices in Canada.[19][20] Wells serves on the Executive Committee of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association and, in October 2018, represented Canada as the Head of Delegation at the European Parliament, where Canada has official observer status.[21][22] In June 2019, Wells spoke at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France regarding equality and human rights.[23]

Senate Sesquicentennial Medal

In 2017, the 150th anniversary of Canada and the Canadian Senate, Wells, along with fellow Senator, the Hon. Serge Joyal, P.C., conceived of and co-chaired an Advisory Working Group of the development of the Senate Sesquicentennial Medal.[24][25] Unlike many medals and awards which reward well-known achievements, the Senate 150 Medal commemorated and celebrated Canadians, “who, through generosity, dedication, volunteerism and hard work, make their hometowns, communities, regions, provinces or territories a better place to live.”[26]

The medal was designed by Lt.-Col. Carl Gauthier, Director of Honours & Recognition at the Department of National Defence and was struck by the Royal Canadian Mint.[25] More than 2,500 medals have been awarded to deserving Canadians from all provinces and territories and from all walks of life.

Committees and Subcommittees

Wells has served on the following Standing Committees and Subcommittees of the Senate.

  • Committee on Audit and Oversight (current Chair)[3]
  • Committee on Human Rights[27]
  • Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament[28]
  • Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources[29]
  • Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration (steering committee)[12][30]
  • Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade[31]
  • Committee on Fisheries and Oceans[32]
  • Committee on National Finance[33]
  • Committee on National Security and Defence[34]
  • Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs (former Deputy Chair)[35]
  • Subcommittee on the Senate Estimates (former Chair)[2]
  • Subcommittee on Communications[36]
  • Working Group on Corporate Credit Card (former Chair)[37]

Wells has also served as Deputy Whip and Caucus Chair for the Conservative Party in the Senate.[38]

Parliamentary Associations and Inter-Parliamentary Groups

Throughout his time on the Senate, Wells has been actively involved in numerous Parliamentary Associations and Inter-Parliamentary Groups, including the following.

  • Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (former Vice-Chair)[39]
  • Canadian Section of ParlAmericas[40]
  • Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (Executive)[41]
  • Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association[42]
  • Canada-China Legislative Association
  • Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group[43]
  • Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association[44]
  • Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association[45]
  • Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union[46]
  • International Monetary Fund Parliamentary Association
  • World Bank Parliamentary Association
  • Canada-UAE Parliamentary Friendship Group (Executive)
  • Canada-Slovakia Parliamentary Friendship Group (Executive)
  • Canada-Bulgaria Parliamentary Friendship Group (Executive)

References
  1. "PM announces the appointment of five new senators" (Press release). Prime Minister's Office. January 25, 2013. Archived from the original on May 20, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  2. Canada, Senate of (2016-09-21). "Senate of Canada - Subcommittee on the Senate Estimates". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  3. Canada, Senate of (2020-11-26). "Senate of Canada - New Audit and Oversight committee holds first meeting". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  4. Canada, Senate of (2020-10-26). "Senate of Canada - New audit committee will bolster Senate accountability, transparency: Senator Wells". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  5. Payton, Laura (January 25, 2013). "PM Harper appoints 5 new senators". CBC News. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  6. Canada, Senate of (2016-10-20). "Senate of Canada - Senator David M. Wells". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  7. Wells, David (25 January 2020). "I known ⁦@PeterMacKay⁩ for 15 years and have seen him work tirelessly and effectively for our country".
  8. Canada, Senate of (2020-09-14). "Senate of Canada - Meet Senator David Wells". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  9. "Hon. David Mark Wells (Senator, Newfoundland and Labrador, C) at the Fisheries and Oceans Committee | openparliament.ca". openparliament.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
  10. "Meet the board". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
  11. Canada, Senate of (2016-06-15). "Senate of Canada - Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  12. "News Release - The Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration". sencanada.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  13. Canada, Senate of (2016-09-21). "Senate of Canada - Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  14. "LEGISinfo - House Government Bill C-5 (41-2)". www.parl.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  15. Canada, Senate of (2016-07-22). "Senate of Canada - Debates". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  16. Canada, Senate of (2016-07-22). "Senate of Canada - Debates". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  17. "Fourth Part of the 2016 Ordinary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and Parliamentary Mission to Malta, the next country to hold the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union -- Strasbourg, France and Valetta, Malta -- Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association - October 10 to 20, 2016 - Parliament of Canada". www.parl.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  18. Wells, David (2016-10-05). "Meeting with EU Ambassador". Twitter. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  19. "Members GPN Meeting - October 2017 - Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development". www.oecd.org. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  20. "Meeting of the OECD Global Parliamentary Network". Parliament of Canada. October 2017. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
  21. "Members - Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU) - Parliamentary Associations - Interparliamentary Activities - Diplomacy - Parliament of Canada". www.parl.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  22. "Report of the Canadian Parliamentary Delegation regarding its participation at the Fourth Part of the 2018 Session of the PACE and Parliamentary Mission to the country that will next hold the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union -- Strasbourg, France and Bucharest, Romania -- Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU) - Parliament of Canada". www.parl.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  23. "Third Part of the 2019 Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and Parliamentary Mission to Italy" (PDF). Parliament of Canada. June 24–28, 2019.CS1 maint: date format (link)
  24. Canada, Senate of (2017-07-19). "Senate of Canada - Senate medals in the making for Canada's unsung heroes". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  25. Canada, Senate of (2017-06-12). "Senate of Canada - Mint strikes first Senate medal honouring Canada's 'unsung heroes'". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  26. "Senator Mitchell announces Senate of Canada 150th Anniversary Medal Recipients" (PDF). Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  27. Canada, Senate of (2016-04-20). "Senate of Canada - Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  28. Canada, Senate of (2016-06-15). "Senate of Canada - Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  29. Canada, Senate of (2016-09-21). "Senate of Canada - Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  30. Canada, Senate of (2016-06-14). "Senate of Canada - Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  31. Canada, Senate of (2016-04-21). "Senate of Canada - Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  32. Canada, Senate of (2016-09-21). "Senate of Canada - Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  33. Canada, Senate of (2016-09-09). "Senate of Canada - Standing Senate Committee on National Finance". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  34. Canada, Senate of (2016-09-21). "Senate of Canada - Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  35. Canada, Senate of (2016-09-21). "Senate of Canada - Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  36. Canada, Senate of (2020-06-29). "Senate of Canada - Communications". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  37. Canada, Senate of (2016-06-14). "Senate of Canada - Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  38. Canada, Senate of (2018-07-11). "Senate of Canada - What Senator Harder really wants? A one-party state: Senator Wells". Senate of Canada. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  39. "Members - Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (CEUS) - Parliamentary Associations - Interparliamentary Activities - Diplomacy - Parliament of Canada". www.parl.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  40. "Members - Canadian Section of ParlAmericas (CPAM) - Parliamentary Associations - Interparliamentary Activities - Diplomacy - Parliament of Canada". www.parl.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  41. "Members - Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU) - Parliamentary Associations - Interparliamentary Activities - Diplomacy - Parliament of Canada". www.parl.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  42. "Members - Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (RUUK) - Parliamentary Associations - Interparliamentary Activities - Diplomacy - Parliament of Canada". www.parl.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  43. "Members - Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (CAJP) - Parliamentary Associations - Interparliamentary Activities - Diplomacy - Parliament of Canada". www.parl.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  44. "Members - Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA) - Parliamentary Associations - Interparliamentary Activities - Diplomacy - Parliament of Canada". www.parl.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  45. "Members - Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CCOM) - Parliamentary Associations - Interparliamentary Activities - Diplomacy - Parliament of Canada". www.parl.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  46. "Members - Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU) - Parliamentary Associations - Interparliamentary Activities - Diplomacy - Parliament of Canada". www.parl.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-04.


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