Prime Minister Mark Carney’s approach to Senate appointments is becoming a new point of debate in Canadian politics as questions grow over how the upper chamber should operate.

Carney announced four Senate appointments earlier this month, including his former principal secretary Tom Pitfield and Conservative MP Richard Martel, along with cancer researcher Dr. Rodney Ouellette and accountant Geeta Tucker.

The move came with a significant change to the appointment process. The federal government removed the non-partisanship criterion that had been used since 2016, while saying the process would place greater emphasis on expertise in strategic industries, regulation and emerging economic and social issues.

The government says the changes are intended to bring people with relevant experience into the Senate and strengthen its ability to examine legislation. However, the decision has also reopened a long-running debate about the balance between political experience and Senate independence.

The federal government has also moved to rebuild the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments. Almost a dozen new members were announced in July, restoring an advisory structure that had become largely inactive because of vacancies.

The issue could become more important later this year because several additional Senate vacancies are expected. The government's approach could therefore influence the political character of Canada's upper chamber for years to come.

For Carney's government, the challenge will be to show that the new model can combine qualified candidates, regional representation and effective legislative scrutiny while avoiding concerns about excessive political influence.