Discrimination, silence and oppression do not belong in a modernized Senate

The Senate wears its modernization as a badge of honour. Yet, this progress has not been profound enough to meaningfully improve the antiquated institution that's been in place for more than 150 years.

Senators on the Senate's on Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, pictured on the Hill Sept. 21, 2022. Non-Affiliated Senator Mary Jane McCallum says non-affiliated Senators are not granted seats on committees, relying on the goodwill of established Senate groups and caucuses to get seats, which she says is unfair. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY SENATOR MARY JANE MCCALLUM

September 14, 2023

The Senate has been undergoing a period of modernization for the better part of a decade. This shift has been driven by an increase in the number of independent, non-partisan Senators, both old and new. However, is this period of modernization to remain limited in scope...

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