Canada has four new senators.

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien has appointed former television personality Laurier LaPierre to the upper chamber.

LaPierre, who is 71, is currently the chair of Telefilm Canada, a federal organization that promotes the production of Canadian movies.

The prime minister also appointed Jean Lapointe to the Senate. Lapointe is a well-known actor and comedian in French-speaking countries.

Viola Leger, an actress from New Brunswick, is also going to the Senate.

The fourth appointment is Mobina Jaffer, a lawyer from British Columbia. She has worked with the Immigration and Refugee Board on a variety of race and gender issues.

Chrétien has now named 28 women to Senate posts.