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

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Tuesday, October 21, 2025
(4)

[English]

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament met this day at 9:30 a.m., in room B30, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Peter Harder, P.C., presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Batters, Busson, Downe, Harder, P.C., Petitclerc, Ringuette, Saint-Germain, Surette, Wells (Alberta), Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador), White, Youance and Yussuff (13).

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.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, the committee continued its study on the inclusion of provisions relating to Question Period with a minister into the Rules of the Senate, including recommendations for amendments.

WITNESS:

As an individual:

The Honourable Marc Gold, P.C., former Government Representative in the Senate and former senator (by videoconference).

The Honourable Marc Gold, P.C., made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:32 a.m., the committee discussed a draft agenda (future business).

After debate, it was agreed that the Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments would be invited to appear on October 28, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. and that the November 4, 2025, meeting be dedicated to a discussion on a draft agenda (future business).

At 10:41 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Maxime Fortin

Clerk of the Committee