THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON RULES, PROCEDURES AND THE RIGHTS OF PARLIAMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Tuesday, February 3, 2026
(10)
[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 and Yussuff (13).
Participating in the meeting: Ericka Paajanen, Procedural Clerk, Committees Directorate; François Delisle and Erin Virgint, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to rule 12-7(2)(a), the committee continued its consideration of possible amendments to the Rules. (Topic: Role of non-affiliated senators)
The committee considered a draft report.
The Honourable Senator Ringuette moved that the fourth bullet in paragraph 66 be deleted.
After debate, the chair asked if the fourth bullet in paragraph 66 should remain. The question being put on the motion, it was rejected on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Batters, Burey, Wells (Alberta), White — [4]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Busson, Downe, Petitclerc, Ringuette, Saint-Germain, Surette, Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador), Yussuff — [8]
ABSTENSIONS
The Honourable Senator
Harder — [1]
It was agreed that the chair work with the committee staff to draft final wording for the committee’s approval.
It was agreed that an updated draft, taking into consideration today’s discussion, be circulated to committee members before the committee’s next meeting.
At 10:26 a.m., the committee discussed a draft agenda (future business).
At 10:34 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Céline Ethier
Clerk of the Committee