THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON RULES, PROCEDURES AND THE RIGHTS OF PARLIAMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Tuesday, September 23, 2025
(2)

[English]

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met this day at 9:32 a.m., in room B30, Senate of Canada Building.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Batters, Busson, Downe, Harder, P.C., McNair, Petitclerc, Ringuette, Saint-Germain, Surette, Wells (Alberta) and Yussuff (11).

Participating in the meeting: Joëlle Nadeau, Principal Clerk and Madgina Mesidor, Legislative Clerk, Chamber Operations and Procedure Office; François Delisle and Erin Virgint, analysts, Library of Parliament.

The clerk informed the committee of a vacancy in the chair and presided over the election of a chair.

The Honourable Senator Ringuette moved that the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., do take the chair of the committee.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., took the chair.

At 9:34 a.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, the committee began its study on the inclusion of provisions relating to Question Period with a minister into the Rules of the Senate, including recommendations for amendments.

The committee discussed a draft agenda (future business).

After debate, it was agreed to invite all senators to provide their comments on Question Period with a minister by October 10, 2025, and that the steering committee be authorized to approve the letter inviting them to submit their comments.

After debate, it was agreed that the Government Representative in the Senate and the leaders and facilitators of recognized parties and parliamentary groups or their delegates would be invited to appear before the committee as part of this study at the next meeting.

At 9:57 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Maxime Fortin

Clerk of the Committee