David Wells

David Mark Wells, ICD.D (born February 28, 1962) is a Canadian senator from Newfoundland and Labrador.

In the mid-1990s, he began high-altitude climbing with a climb in the Peruvian Andes.

In 2011, he summited Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro - which at 5,896m, is the highest peak in Africa - taking the Machame Route and climbing alpine style; he completed the climb in 7 days.

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.

Bringing these experiences to the Senate, Senator Wells advocates for positive change on issues affecting Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada.

Community service work, especially relating to youth engagement and outreach, is a significant part of Wells’ life – he has stated that “being a senator is just an extension of that desire for community service, but on a national scale.” Wells has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and continues to be an ardent supporter of, and advocate for, the organization.

He has also volunteered with the local Newfoundland and Labrador minor hockey association and has served on his neighbourhood School Council.

As part of his efforts relating to the civic engagement of youth, Senator Wells frequently works with the SENgage program on youth outreach events.

In 2012, again climbing alpine style, Wells summited Europe’s highest peak, Russia’s 5,642m Mount Elbrus.

He was appointed to the Senate on January 25, 2013 by Governor General David Johnston on the advice of Canada's 22nd prime minister, Stephen Harper.

He is the former Chair of the Subcommittee on the Senate Estimates and the Senate’s Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight.

Senator Wells is a strong proponent of accountability and transparency in the Senate.

Prior to his appointment to the Upper Chamber, Senator 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.

Wells is involved in regional and national community work, with a special focus on the civic engagement of youth.

Senator Wells is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors.

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.

As a leader in the Canadian oil and gas industry, he served as a member of the International Regulators’ Forum on Global Offshore Safety, spearheaded health and safety improvements in the industry, and worked to improve environmental practices and procedures relating to oil spill mitigation and response, alongside federal agencies and departments.

He has brought his expertise from this role to the Senate and is an active promoter of responsible resource development.

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

In 2014, climbing expedition style over 15 days, he summited Argentina’s Aconcagua, which, at 6,960m, is the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere and the highest peak outside the Himalayas.

In a training climb the week prior to his successful summit of Aconcagua, Wells summited Argentina’s 6,759m Mount Bonete.

Wells is a former rugby player and was scrum half for the Swilers Rugby Club in their numerous championships within the Newfoundland Rugby Union.

He was a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador provincial team at the Canada Summer Games during his playing years.

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 - known as the Offshore Health and Safety Act.

The Act centered on offshore safety; it passed unanimously in the Senate and received Royal Assent in June 2014.

During the bill’s Second Reading in the Senate Chamber on May 15, 2014, Senator 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.

In January 2020, he participated in the first-ever Model Senate which included students debating legislation, learning parliamentary procedures, and investigating important issues in Canada.

Senator Wells has also presented at the St. John’s Regional Youth Parliament and university political campus clubs.

Wells has also partnered with the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) for work in the field of Fishery Economics and Resource Management.

Wells is an accomplished high-altitude alpine mountaineer and has climbed in the Himalayas, Andes and Russia’s Caucasus mountain ranges.

He has summited the highest peaks in Africa, South America and Europe.

Senator Wells endorsed Peter Mackay in the 2020 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election.

He co-chaired the Pierre Poilievre campaign in the 2022 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election for Atlantic Canada.

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 past Chair of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight and the Subcommittee on the Senate Estimates.

In this capacity, he led the Senate’s first-ever zero-based budgeting process.

He has served on the steering committee of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

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.