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

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 25, 2025
(8)

[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, Burey, Busson, Downe, Harder, P.C., Petitclerc, Ringuette, Saint-Germain, Surette, Wells (Alberta), Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador), White, Youance and Yussuff (14).

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.

The committee considered a draft report.

The Honourable Senator Yussuff moved that the draft report be adopted.

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

It was agreed that the chair be authorized to present the report in the Senate, in both official languages, at the earliest opportunity.

At 9:32 a.m., the committee discussed a draft agenda (future business).

It was agreed that the Government Representative in the Senate or a designate would be invited to appear on December 2, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., as part of the study on the role of non-affiliated senators.

It was agreed that a draft report for the study on the role of non-affiliated senators should be prepared, including a summary of the evidence heard during the first session of the Forty-fourth Parliament and observations for discussion.

It was agreed that the analysts would compile additional statistics for the draft report.

At 10:40 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Maxime Fortin

Clerk of the Committee