Rules to work: committee study on role of non-affiliated Senators finds no rule changes necessary

Non-affiliated Senator Marilou McPhedran says while the report is a small step forward in recognizing challenges faced, she’s not optimistic about the ‘minimalist’ changes proposed.

The Senate Rules, Procedure, and Rights of Parliament Committee has tabled a set of best-practice recommendations that includes development of a formalized practice for communicating with non-affiliated Senators, but suggests no rule changes regarding their participation in proceedings. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

March 18, 2026

Members of the Upper Chamber’s Rules Committee say there’s a will to better empower non-affiliated Senators to participate in proceedings, but one such Senator says the fact the committee’s proposals include no actual changes to rules leaves her with little faith that ...

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