THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON RULES, PROCEDURES AND THE RIGHTS OF PARLIAMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Tuesday, February 10, 2026
(11)
[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., Ringuette, Saint-Germain, Surette, Wells (Alberta), Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador), White, Youance and Yussuff (12).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Tannas (1).
Participating in the meeting: Vincent Labrosse, 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: Membership of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators)
WITNESS:
The Honourable Senator Scott Tannas, former Deputy Chair, Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators.
The Honourable Senator Tannas made a statement and answered questions.
At 10:39 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 10:41 a.m., the committee resumed.
Pursuant to rule 12-7(2)(a), the committee continued its consideration of possible amendments to the Rules (Topic: The role of non-affiliated senators).
The committee considered a draft report.
It was agreed that the draft report, as amended, be adopted in both official languages and that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to approve the final version of the report, taking into consideration today’s discussion, and with any necessary editorial, grammatical and translation changes required.
It was agreed that the chair be authorized to present the report in the Senate, in both official languages, at the earliest opportunity.
At 11:00 a.m., pursuant to rule 12-7(2)(a), the committee continued its consideration of possible amendments to the Rules (Topic: Membership of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators).
After discussion, it was agreed that a draft report for the study on the membership of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators should be prepared, including a summary of evidence and recommendations for changes to the Rules.
At 11:18 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Céline Ethier
Clerk of the Committee