Non-affiliated Senator Marilou McPhedran says while the report is a small step forward in recognizing challenges faced, she’s not optimistic about the ‘minimalist’ changes proposed.


The Senate Rules, Procedure, and Rights of Parliament Committee has tabled a set of best-practice recommendations that includes development of a formalized practice for communicating with non-affiliated Senators, but suggests no rule changes regarding their participation in proceedings. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Members of the Upper Chamber’s Rules Committee say there’s a will to better empower non-affiliated Senators to participate in proceedings, but one such Senator says the fact the committee’s proposals include no actual changes to rules leaves her with little faith that the “substantive equality” of Senators who choose to sit independent from recognized groups will be improved.
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