Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who has long championed a plan to make the Senate an elected body, named two new senators Monday.
Former CFL commissioner Larry Smith and Toronto Rev. Don Meredith are the latest to join the 105-member Senate.
The appointments strengthen the Conservatives' grip on the Upper Chamber and give them a slim majority. The Conservatives now have 54 seats, followed by the Liberals at 46, two Progressive Conservatives and two independents. Senator Raymond Lavigne is suspended from the Liberal caucus and barred from voting as he faces criminal charges of misusing Senate funds.
Meredith fills a vacancy in Ontario, while Smith fills an open position in Quebec.
"Both are well-regarded and visible figures in their communities who will bring a wealth of experience in business, philanthropy, sport and community initiatives to their new roles as senators," Harper said in a statement.
Meredith and Smith are promising to support the Conservative government in its efforts to make the Senate more democratic and accountable, according to a press release.
Harper is still vowing to fulfill election promises to make the Senate an elected body and limit the length of appointments. Senators can serve until they turn 75.
Meredith and Smith support legislation to limit tenures and overhaul the Senate's structure to allow provinces to elect their senators, the press release states.
During his time as Opposition leader while the Liberals were in power, Harper said he would never make patronage appointments to the Senate.
As a result, his previous appointments have led to accusations of hypocrisy.
In November, the Conservative government failed to push through a bill to limit senator terms to eight years. Opposition parties denied the Conservative plan to send the bill directly to the Senate for approval, a move that required unanimous support from MPs.
Meredith, an entrepreneur and married father of two, owns Donscape Landscaping Services and runs the GTA Faith Alliance. The group tries to prevent gun and youth violence.
He was the Conservatives' candidate in the March 2008 byelection in Toronto Centre but finished a distant fourth to Liberal MP Bob Rae.
The Conservative government describes Meredith as an anti-crime crusader who works with churches, police, politicians and communities to stop violence.
Meredith has been a member of several community groups, including Toronto police Chief Bill Blair's advisory service and B'Nai Brith Canada's special advisory council to the League for Human Rights.
Smith, meanwhile, is a former CFL player and commissioner. He oversaw the football league between 2002 and 2006 and remains the president and CEO of the reigning Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes. However, Smith announced last month he plans to retire at the end of the year.
Smith made the announcement amidst reports he was being courted by the Conservatives to run as a star candidate in the Montreal riding of Lac-Saint-Louis in the next federal election. He previously considered a run for the Tories' leadership in 2004.
Smith, a resident of Hudson, Que., is a former president and publisher of the Montreal Gazette. He is a married father of three and grandfather of two.
The prime minister recommends people to the Senate but the appointments are made by the Governor General.
It's the Senate's job to examine and pass, change or reject bills after they're approved by the House of Commons. The Senate signs off on proposed laws before they receive royal assent from the Governor General.
Senators receive about $132,000 in salary per year.
Senator Lowell Murray, who turns 75 next September, is currently the longest-serving senator at 31 years.
