The Speaker Pro Tempore is an officer and second-highest ranking member of the Senate of Canada. The Speaker Pro Tempore ("acting Speaker") is a member of the Senate who is first nominated by a selection committee. The nomination is then confirmed through a vote in the Senate. The Speaker Pro Tempore serves whenever the Speaker of the Senate of Canada, who is appointed by the government, is unable to attend a sitting of the Senate. The current of Speaker Pro Tempore is Pierrette Ringuette, who is serving in the position from May 1, 2020.