The search for a new Yukon senator continues after just under a year of the seat’s vacancy.

In a notice sent out from the Advisory Board of Senate Appointments through the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce late last week, Canadians were encouraged to apply for the Red Chamber position.

Applications are kept on file for about two years by the board, which makes recommendations to the prime minister for appointments.

The Yukon’s last senator, Conservative Dan Lang, announced in June 2017 that he would be retiring from his duties as of Aug. 15 of that year.

Appointed by former prime minister Stephen Harper, Lang, a one-time territorial Conservative cabinet minister, did not have to retire until 2023.

However, after splitting more than 25 years of public office between the territory and Ottawa, Lang said it was time to step away and spend time with his family.

Applications are accepted at any time, but the Yukon board is encouraging those interested to apply by Aug. 8. It will then conduct a final review later in the month.

Applicants can also be nominated through the Senate’s site, and fluency in both English and French are encouraged.

The Senate acts as a secondary body to the House of Commons in Parliament that reviews bills before they are passed.

Senate work is most often carried out through committees of about about 12 to 15 senators, which allow for public hearings from interested citizens.

During his time, Lang served on the committees related to finance, energy and the environment, and chaired the committee on national security and defence under former prime minister Stephen Harper.

Currently, each of the three territories holds one seat each in the senate.

Ontario and Quebec lead the way with 24 seats each, while the Northwest Territories also has a vacancy for one senator.