QUESTION PERIOD — Privy Council Office
Senate Appointments
September 23, 2025
Honourable senators, I congratulate Senator Moreau on his appointment as Government Representative in the Senate. Congratulations.
A national public opinion survey conducted last year shows that a strong majority of Canadians — seven in ten — want future governments to continue with the appointment process which created a non-partisan and independent Senate, and only 5% of Canadians want a return to the old partisan Senate of the past. Only 5% want to go backwards. This sentiment is consistent across the country. Given this, will the government unequivocally commit to continuing the merit-based, independent Senate as we go forward, and will the government also commit to reforms, rules and protection against reverting to party caucus control? Thank you.
Senator Dasko, thank you for the question. As you know, I am the Government Representative and I cannot comment for the government. I will have more to say on this in short order. I can say that I am not aware of any potential changes to the appointment process for senators, and I’m not aware of any intention on the part of the government to change the rules that have been applied since 2015. I am personally committed to an independent Senate. I said that in my maiden speech, and I will reaffirm it today.
As far as I know, Prime Minister Carney has made no comments or commitments regarding the independent Senate, but House leader Steve MacKinnon hinted that there may be more changes coming. “I think the Senate is very much a work in progress,” he said. What was the House leader referring to?
Thank you.
Can we bring the question to the House leader to obtain a proper answer? As I said, I think I’ve been clear before in this chamber that I have no indication whatsoever that the situation concerning the Senate will change in the near future or during this administration, but I will bring up your question to the minister, with whom I will probably meet as soon as tomorrow.
