Frances Lankin

Frances Lankin
Senator for Ontario
In office
March 18, 2016  October 21, 2024
Nominated byJustin Trudeau
Appointed byDavid Johnston
Government Liaison in the Senate
In office
May 28, 2024  October 20, 2024
LeaderMarc Gold
Preceded byMichèle Audette
Succeeded byIris Petten
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
In office
1999–2001
Preceded byriding established
Succeeded byMichael Prue
ConstituencyBeaches—East York
In office
1990–1999
Preceded byMarion Bryden
Succeeded byriding dissolved
ConstituencyBeaches—Woodbine
Personal details
Born (1954-04-16) April 16, 1954
London, Ontario, Canada
Political partyIndependent Senators Group (2016-2024, May - October 2024)
Non-affiliated (February - May 2024)
Other political
affiliations
New Democratic (1990-2016)
SpouseWayne Campbell (died November 2022)
Residence(s)Restoule, Ontario
OccupationAdministrator

Frances Lankin, PC CM (born April 16, 1954), is a former Canadian senator, former president and CEO of United Way Toronto, and a former Ontario MPP and cabinet minister in the NDP government of Bob Rae between 1990 and 1995. From 2010 to 2012, she co-chaired a government commission review of social assistance in Ontario. From 2009 to 2016, she was a member of the Security Intelligence Review Committee.

Lankin was appointed to the Senate on March 18, 2016, on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. She sat with the Independent Senators Group until February 2024 when she accepted to become the Government Liaison in the upper chamber to table and help adopt a package of rule changes that increases the equity between the different groups in the Senate. Her time at the Government Representative's Office (GRO) changed her designation to non-affiliated. Following the adoption of the rules package modifications, she rejoined the ISG in May 2024. She retired from the Senate on October 21st, 2024, prior to her mandatory retirement date.