THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA -- Sports tycoon David Braley is being punted into Parliament's upper chamber.

Braley, who owns the B.C. Lions and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, is being appointed a senator by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

He replaces Conservative senator Wilbert Keon, who has reached the mandatory Senate retirement age of 75.

Harper has typically waited for a number of Senate vacancies to open up before making a group appointment, but officials in the government say there is too much important legislation to be passed before the summer recess and every Tory vote is needed.

"I look forward to working with Mr. Braley and all of our senators as our government works towards a more democratic, accountable and effective Senate," the prime minister said in a news release.

In an interview with The Canadian Press on Thursday, Braley called his appointment "a great, great honour to have the opportunity to serve your country, your province and your community as a senator."

"It's an opportunity to top off one's career, the way I look at it, and to do something in return for your community to make it a better place."

"On behalf of our Board of Governors, I want to congratulate David Braley on his appointment to the Canadian Senate," said Canadian Football League Commissioner Mark Cohon. "David's contributions to our country are well documented, through his success as an industrialist, his support for many causes as a philanthropist and, of course, his deep commitment to the Canadian Football League and Grey Cup and their important place in the history, culture and future of Canada."

The Conservatives hold a plurality of seats in the Senate, but not an absolute majority.

Harper has now appointed 33 Conservatives to the 105-seat upper House in the last 18 months.