Senate’s committee system ‘does not work’: Senators consider cutting membership and dropping a day

Having more than nine members often means there are a few ‘free-riders’ who don’t do the work, says Progressive Senator Diane Bellemare, while nine is the ‘optimal number.’

Independent Senator Ratna Omidvar, left, Conservative Senator Denise Batters, and ISG Senator Diane Bellemare, chair of the Senate Rules Committee. Omidvar says the Senate committee system does not work. All three Senators sit on the Senate Rules Committee. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, courtesy of Senate's Government Representative Office

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BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN

April 11, 2024

Senators are contemplating reducing their membership numbers on most Senate committees because many say they feel short-changed with their time to question witnesses, the status quo keeps “free-riders” in the mix who don’t do the work, and all groups don’t have enoug...

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