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.
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.
[7] 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.
[6] 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.
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.
[7] Senator Wells has also presented at the St. John's Regional Youth Parliament and university political campus clubs.
[10] Wells has also partnered with the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) for work in the field of Fishery Economics and Resource Management.
[7] He spoke in the Senate Chamber on November 28, 2018 during the Second Reading debate regarding the bill, arguing that it is “unnecessary and harmful” to Canada's economy and that there are better ways “to achieve the objectives of environmental protection and responsible resource development.” [18] In 2021, Wells sponsored Bill C-218, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sports betting), in the Senate.
[19] During his Second Reading speech, Wells stated that despite single-event sports betting not being legal in Canada prior to the bill's passage, “Canadians [were] spending about $14 billion annually on this very product,” and that “the passage of this bill would allow for provincial governments to finally start regulating single-event sports betting.”[20] He added during his Third Reading speech that “this legislation strengthens consumer protections and has safeguards that provide support for problem gambling and addictions” and “unlocks hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes and revenues annually that can be reinvested into critical programs and communities.”[21] The bill received support from the NHL, MLB, NBA, MLS, CFL, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Responsible Gambling Council, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport – along with other stakeholders.
In October 2016, Wells spoke at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe regarding establishing standards for unaccompanied refugee minors, and also met with Marie-Anne Coninsx, former EU Ambassador to Canada, to discuss CETA, Brexit, and other issues of international relations.
[25][26] In October 2017, Wells spoke at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris about immigration systems and practices in Canada.
[29][30] In June 2019, Wells spoke at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France regarding equality and human rights.
Serge Joyal, P.C., conceived of and co-chaired an Advisory Working Group of the development of the Senate Sesquicentennial Medal.
[47] Throughout his time on the Senate, Wells has been actively involved in numerous Parliamentary associations and inter-Parliamentary groups, including the following.