The Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Conservative Senator Claude Carignan, joined with colleagues from across the Red Chamber on Feb. 18 to welcome Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion (Saint-Laurent, Que.) for Question Period in the Senate to answer questions. “We thank Minister Dion for partaking with us today, it was a good opportunity … Read more
Liberal Senator Terry Mercer (Nova Scotia) will move second reading of Bill S-213 on Feb. 4 calling on the Parliament of Canada to change how the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Senate of Canada are chosen. This Bill amends the Constitution Act, 1867 to provide for the election of the Speaker and the … Read more
The loonie recently dipped to its lowest level since 2003, and its consequences on the Canadian economy and consumers remain unclear. Is this depreciation good or bad for the country? It is this question the Senate’s Banking, Trade and Commerce Committee will try to evaluate in a detailed study it undertakes on the sliding exchange value … Read more
Senator Pierrette Ringuette informed the Speaker of the Senate of that she will sit as an Independent Senator for New Brunswick, effective immediately. Senator Ringuette has released the following statement: “Canadians have been clear in their desire for a non-partisan Senate. The status quo is not acceptable. The Senate, as an institution and Senators themselves, … Read more
Independent Senator John Wallace (New Brunswick) raised a question of privilege in the Senate Chamber on Jan. 26, regarding the right of all Senators to be able to serve and contribute as full members of Senate committees, regardless of their political affiliation, or non-affiliation. Wallace stated that his total exclusion by the Senate’s Committee of Selection, from … Read more
The members of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence elected Senator Daniel Lang (Yukon), as chair and Senator Joseph Day (Saint John-Kennebecasis – New Brunswick) as deputy chair of the committee. “Since 2001, this Standing Senate Committee has diligently examined private members bills and government legislation such as Bill C-51, and produced numerous reports on issues of … Read more
Conservative Senator David Wells called on the federal government to include Newfoundland and Labrador in its $1-billion stimulus, following reports in The Financial Post that the government will announce an infrastructure program aimed at Alberta and Saskatchewan due to the negative economic effect from declining oil prices. “By not including the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in … Read more
Conservative Senator Stephen Greene (Nova Scotia) and Liberal Senator Paul J. Massicotte (Manitoba) published documents pertaining to the Working Sessions on Senate Modernization were held Oct. 26-28 in Ottawa. These sessions dealt with improvements to the operations and practices of the Senate Chamber. Attendees included Senators from the Conservative and Liberal Independent caucuses and Independents. The object of the … Read more
Conservative Senator Leo Housakos (Quebec) and Liberal Senator Jane Cordy (Nova Scotia) issued a statement on modernizing Senate communications. “In keeping with our commitment to be more transparent, accountable and efficient, the Senate of Canada continues to transform the way we communicate with Canadians,” said Housakos and Cordy. “Since the completion of [a] review, and the … Read more
Conservative Leader in the Senate, Senator Claude Carignan introduced a motion takes another step toward modernizing the Senate of Canada. This motion if adopted, authorizes the Senate to invite any Minister of the Crown who is not a member of the Senate to take part in Senate Question Period proceedings, responding to questions relating to their ministerial responsibilities. This … Read more
