Senate adopts rules that government says strengthens upper house's independence

Canada's upper house has adopted a new set of rules that the Liberal government says will further entrench its independence.

The large majority of senators voted in favour of the sweeping changes earlier this month.

But the Conservatives — whose numbers have dwindled down to just 13 seats — say the government is trying to weaken their position in the Senate and hamstring future Tory governments.

The new rule changes give more power to each of the groups recognized by Senate modernization legislation that Parliament passed in 2022.

Rather than mimicking the dual roles of government and Opposition in the House of Commons, the Senate now gives additional groups similar powers and additional speaking time during debates.

The leaders of recognized groups, three of which now outnumber the Tories, can now defer votes on legislation and sit in on committees to question witnesses.

It means less time for the official Opposition to give speeches and pose questions.

«In Westminster parliament, the government's role is to propose things. The Opposition's role is to challenge the government,» said Conservative Sen. Denise Batters. «What is the role of these other [groups]?»

Sen. Pierrette Ringuette, a former Liberal MP who was appointed by prime minister Jean Chretien and now sits in the Independent Senators Group, said nothing has changed for the Tories.

«They have not lost any power,» she said.

A necessary evolution, says senator

They have the same political tools at their disposal, she said — it's just that other groups now have access to those, too.

Sen. Scott Tannas, who was a Conservative senator and now leads the Canadian Senators Group, said he thinks the rule changes are a necessary evolution.

«There will be multiple groups in the Senate