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

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Tuesday, October 28, 2025
(5)

[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).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C. (1).

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.

WITNESSES:

The Honourable Senator Claude Carignan, P.C., former Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and former Leader of the Government in the Senate;

Shaila Anwar, Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments.

Shaila Anwar made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:31 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:33 a.m., the committee resumed.

The Honourable Senator Claude Carignan, P.C., made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:25 a.m., the committee discussed a draft agenda (future business).

After debate, it was agreed that the chair would ask the Honourable Senator Moreau, P.C., to submit a written statement on the committee’s study relating to Question Period with a minister before the November 4, 2025 meeting.

At 11:28 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Maxime Fortin

Clerk of the Committee