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Canadian Senators Group

The Canadian Senators Group (CSG) is a non-partisan parliamentary caucus in the Senate of Canada, established in November 2019 by 11 independent senators drawn primarily from the former Independent Senators Group and a few Conservatives, with the aim of promoting Senate modernization, institutional independence, and effective regional representation in legislative processes.^[1]^[2] Led by Senator Scott Tannas of Alberta, the group currently includes 20 members who commit to acting and voting independently on issues, eschewing bloc discipline to foster open debate, transparency, and evidence-based scrutiny of legislation as part of the Senate's role in providing "sober second thought."^[3]^[4] The CSG operates within the broader context of Senate reforms initiated under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which emphasized non-partisan appointments and reduced party caucuses, enabling groups like the CSG to collaborate across affiliations on matters affecting Canadians' regional interests without allegiance to national party platforms.^[1]^[5]

Background and Context

Senate Reform Under Trudeau Government

In 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in Reference re Senate Reform that proposals for an elective Senate or term limits would require substantial constitutional amendments involving the general amending formula under section 38 of the Constitution Act, 1982, rather than unilateral federal legislation, effectively blocking modest Harper-era reforms aimed at increasing accountability.^[6] This decision constrained structural changes, prompting then-Liberal leader Justin Trudeau to pivot toward appointing non-partisan senators as an alternative path to reducing partisanship without constitutional hurdles.^[7] Following his election in November 2015, Trudeau implemented this approach by establishing the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments on January 19, 2016, tasked with recommending candidates based on merit, regional representation, and diversity through a public application process, with non-binding advice to the prime minister.^[8] In parallel, Trudeau removed sitting Liberal senators from the party caucus in early 2016, designating them as independent and eliminating formal party affiliations in the chamber, a move that dismantled traditional partisan structures and encouraged senators to operate without government or opposition whips. By the end of 2019, Trudeau had appointed 81 independent senators, filling vacancies and shifting the chamber's dynamics away from party loyalty toward individual scrutiny of legislation.^[9] These reforms yielded measurable changes in Senate composition: prior to 2015, independents and non-affiliated senators numbered fewer than 10 in a 105-seat chamber dominated by Conservative and Liberal caucuses; by October 2025, independent appointees constituted over 90% of sitting senators, with formal groups of non-partisans holding a majority and amending 22% of government bills receiving royal assent since 2015, often on substantive matters like appeals processes.^[10] This empirical shift reduced overt partisanship but raised questions about de facto alignment, as data from 2016–2019 showed these "independents" voting with the government on 94.5% of divisions, per analyses of recorded votes.

Emergence of Independent Parliamentary Groups

The Trudeau government's Senate reform, initiated in 2014 by expelling sitting Liberal senators from the party caucus and subsequently appointing non-partisan senators, resulted in a chamber dominated by independents lacking traditional party structures for coordination.^[11] This shift created organizational challenges, as the absence of party whips hindered efficient collaboration on legislative scrutiny and regional representation, prompting senators to form non-partisan groups eligible for dedicated funding and administrative support to facilitate independent work.^[12] The Independent Senators Group (ISG) emerged in September 2016 as the first such entity, comprising primarily Trudeau appointees seeking a platform for non-partisan collaboration without enforced voting alignment, explicitly rejecting whips to preserve individual judgment on bills except for procedural matters.^[13] By 2019, growing dissatisfaction within the ISG over perceived alignment with government priorities led to fragmentation: the Progressive Senate Group (PSG) formed on November 14, 2019, from former independent Liberal senators emphasizing progressive priorities like Indigenous reconciliation; simultaneously, the Canadian Senators Group (CSG) was established in November 2019 by 11 senators defecting from the ISG and Conservative caucus, motivated by a desire for pragmatic, regionally focused organization prioritizing modernization, research, and work efficiency over ideological cohesion.^[14]^[15]^[1] These groups enhanced Senate functionality amid independence, evidenced by increased amendment rates on government bills—from lower pre-reform levels to higher independent-driven scrutiny in the 42nd and 43rd Parliaments—and slightly elevated opposition voting by Trudeau appointees compared to prior Liberal senators, reflecting reduced partisanship and greater legislative autonomy without whip-driven conformity.^[16]^[17] Independent senators, now comprising about 80 percent of the chamber by 2022, enabled more critical bill reviews, diverging from traditional duopoly patterns.^[18]

Formation and Historical Development

Founding in 2019

The Canadian Senators Group (CSG) was established on November 4, 2019, by 11 senators who sought a parliamentary caucus emphasizing regional representation, legislative scrutiny, and independence from executive influence, distinct from the government-proximate Independent Senators Group (ISG). This formation addressed uncertainties in Senate reform by providing a structured framework for non-partisan collaboration, enabling senators to prioritize evidence-based review of bills over partisan or governmental alignment. Founding members included eight from the ISG, two former Conservatives, and one non-affiliated senator, reflecting a mix of appointments from prior Liberal and Conservative prime ministers.^[1]^[5]^[15] Senator Scott Tannas, representing Alberta and possessing a background as founder and CEO of Western Financial Group, served as interim leader, with Senator Josée Verner of Quebec as deputy. Tannas, appointed in 2013 following his election in Alberta's 2012 Senate nominee process, had left the Conservative caucus earlier to pursue independent status, motivated by the Senate's post-2012 expenses scandal legitimacy challenges and the perceived need for a group less aligned with the ruling Liberals' appointee-heavy ISG. The CSG positioned itself to counter regional alienation and enhance fiscal accountability in scrutiny, capping membership at 25 to maintain agility.^[19]^[20]^[2]

Expansion and Key Milestones (2020–2025)

Following its founding in November 2019 with 11 members, the Canadian Senators Group experienced steady growth through the voluntary affiliation of newly appointed independent senators, reaching 16 members by late 2023.^[1] ^[21] This expansion reflected the group's appeal to senators seeking a non-partisan platform emphasizing regional representation and Senate modernization, distinct from the larger Independent Senators Group, which tended toward greater alignment with government positions.^[22] A key milestone occurred on October 18, 2023, when Scott Tannas was re-elected as leader of the CSG, with Rebecca Patterson elected as deputy leader, affirming the group's internal democratic processes amid ongoing Senate reforms.^[23] Under this leadership, the CSG continued to assert its role in legislative scrutiny, contributing to amendments and extended debates on multiple government bills between 2020 and 2024, often providing a counterbalance to faster passage favored by other independent groups.^[18] By June 2025, membership had grown to 20 senators, solidifying the CSG's position as one of the Senate's major non-partisan blocs and demonstrating its viability as an alternative affiliation for Trudeau-era appointees prioritizing independent judgment over caucus discipline.^[24] This expansion underscored the fragmentation of traditional party affiliations in the upper chamber, with the CSG attracting members from diverse professional backgrounds across provinces.^[23]

Organizational Structure and Leadership

Leadership Roles and Elections

Scott Tannas, appointed to the Senate in 2016 following his strong performance in Alberta's 2012 Senator-in-Waiting election, became the inaugural leader of the Canadian Senators Group upon its formation on November 4, 2019.^[19] He was re-elected as leader in an internal vote on October 18, 2023, demonstrating the group's commitment to periodic leadership renewal through member-driven selection rather than external partisan appointment.^[23] The CSG maintains a lean leadership structure featuring a leader and deputy leader to facilitate coordination among independent senators while preserving individual autonomy. Rebecca Patterson, representing Ontario, was elected deputy leader alongside Tannas's re-election in 2023, helping to ensure regional perspectives from provinces beyond the leader's Alberta base influence group deliberations.^[23] This contrasts with traditional Senate caucuses, where leaders are typically designated by party hierarchies without direct input from Senate members, lacking built-in mechanisms for peer accountability. Leadership elections occur internally via votes among CSG senators, typically every few years, prioritizing demonstrated merit, regional representation, and alignment with the group's non-partisan ethos over ideological conformity or external directives.^[23] This process fosters accountability, as leaders must maintain the confidence of peers who vote independently on legislation, unlike appointed party leaders insulated from such scrutiny. Under Tannas's leadership, the CSG has advanced accountability in Senate operations, including his role as chair of the estimates subcommittee where he recommended a temporary hiring freeze in March 2023 to address a 70% rise in chamber costs over seven years and enhance fiscal transparency for taxpayers.^[25] Tannas has also drawn on his reform background to advocate for structural changes, such as term limits, echoing unfulfilled elements of prior Senate modernization efforts blocked by the Supreme Court in 2014.^[19] These positions underscore the group's emphasis on merit-based governance over entrenched privileges.

Internal Governance and Operations

The Canadian Senators Group (CSG) functions without a formal whip system, enabling senators to vote independently in the chamber based on personal research, regional consultations, and individual judgment rather than group directives.^[15]^[5] This approach contrasts with traditional partisan caucuses and aligns with the group's foundational commitment to non-partisan independence, where no bloc voting is required or expected.^[1] Internal decision-making emphasizes collaboration over coercion, with members seeking broad agreement on non-binding matters such as committee assignments, procedural strategies, and group representation, though consensus is not mandated for legislative positions.^[1] The group's smaller membership—19 senators as of 2025—facilitates more agile coordination through regular caucus meetings, differing from the larger Independent Senators Group (ISG), where scale has led to greater decentralization and less frequent alignment on operational tactics.^[18]^[5] Resources for CSG operations are provided through Senate administrative allocations for recognized parliamentary groups, including budgets for facilitation offices, staff support, and regional representation activities, with quarterly expenditure reports published for public scrutiny.^[26] These funds cover items such as travel, office expenses, and committee work, subject to oversight by the Senate's Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration Committee.^[27] The group maintains transparency by disclosing attendance, activities, and financial summaries in line with Senate rules, while internally prioritizing open debate and research-driven processes without rigid hierarchies.^[1]^[27]

Membership

Composition and Demographics

As of October 2025, the Canadian Senators Group consists of 19 members.^[28] The group's membership exhibits a near gender balance, with 9 women and 10 men.^[28] Members represent diverse provinces, emphasizing regional perspectives as a core aim since the group's 2019 formation, including prominent Western Canadian figures such as leader Scott Tannas from Alberta.^[28]^[19]^[5] Professional backgrounds skew toward the private sector, particularly business and finance, with examples including Tannas, former CEO of Western Financial Group; Clément Gignac, ex-executive at Desjardins Group; and Mohammad Al Zaibak, a business leader.^[19]^[29] Medical professionals such as surgeons Flordeliz Osler and Sharon Burey also feature, contributing a higher proportion of non-legal, non-academic expertise compared to the Independent Senators Group.^[28] This composition reflects a emphasis on practical, regionally informed experience over traditional public administration or legal paths prevalent in other Senate groupings.^[3]

Changes in Membership Over Time

The Canadian Senators Group was established on November 4, 2019, with 11 founding senators drawn primarily from former Conservative members and those disillusioned with the expanding Independent Senators Group.^[1]^[15] Membership expanded steadily through 2020–2025 as newly appointed senators, often those appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, elected to affiliate with the CSG instead of the government-coordinated ISG or the smaller Progressive Senate Group, citing preferences for reduced oversight and enhanced regional focus.^[13]^[30] This inflow yielded a net gain of 9 members by June 2025, elevating the total to 20.^[24] Outflows remained limited, with most attributable to mandatory retirements under Senate age limits rather than ideological defections; for instance, Senator Jean-Guy Dagenais, an original member, retired in February 2025 after over a decade of service.^[31] Occasional voluntary exits to unaffiliated independent status or, rarely, to partisan caucuses like the Conservatives occurred, but these did not exceed a defection rate below 10% of the group's peak size, indicating strong retention amid competitive Senate group dynamics.^[32] The CSG's appeal for inflows and retention stemmed from its emphasis on operational independence, distancing itself from the ISG's facilitated government liaison roles, which some senators viewed as compromising non-partisan scrutiny.^[1]^[13] This structure attracted those prioritizing self-governed collaboration over larger groups' administrative ties, fostering net growth despite periodic vacancies from Senate attrition.

Principles, Ideology, and Legislative Role

Core Principles of Independence and Collaboration

The Canadian Senators Group (CSG) emphasizes the independence of its members in exercising parliamentary functions, with each senator required to act and vote according to personal judgment without obligation to align on issues or vote en bloc.^[1] This rejection of party loyalty distinguishes the CSG from traditional Senate caucuses, where appointments historically served as rewards for political service, fostering allegiance to appointing governments rather than impartial scrutiny.^[33] Formed in November 2019 as a voluntary association, the CSG enables senators to prioritize evidence-based analysis through solid research and robust debate, free from partisan directives.^[1] Collaboration forms a complementary principle, as CSG members engage with senators from all groups to advance legislation reflecting Canadian interests, while maintaining individual autonomy.^[1] This approach supports the Senate's role in providing sober second thought, particularly in reviewing executive initiatives for regional equity, ensuring underrepresented provinces receive balanced consideration absent in the House of Commons' population-based representation.^[34] By forgoing rigid internal debates on policy substance, the CSG fosters non-partisan functionality, positioning itself as a counterweight to unchecked executive dominance in areas like spending oversight, grounded in empirical regional impacts rather than ideological conformity.^[13] These tenets reflect a commitment to causal mechanisms of effective upper-house review: independence mitigates loyalty biases that historically undermined Senate legitimacy, while structured collaboration leverages diverse expertise for rigorous, data-informed amendments without devolving into bloc opposition.^[35]

Policy Positions and Voting Patterns

The Canadian Senators Group (CSG) operates without formal party whips or bloc voting requirements, allowing members to deliberate individually on legislation and vote according to personal conscience, informed by research and regional perspectives. This structure underscores the group's emphasis on independence, distinguishing it from traditional partisan caucuses and countering perceptions of monolithic alignment with any federal party. While CSG senators collaborate on procedural matters like Senate modernization, substantive policy decisions remain decentralized, fostering varied positions even among members with shared backgrounds.^[1] Composed largely of senators appointed by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, CSG members exhibit a pattern of fiscal restraint, frequently critiquing expansive government spending and omnibus budget bills that bundle non-fiscal elements, which limit amendment opportunities and fiscal accountability. For instance, CSG leader Scott Tannas has argued that budget implementation bills should confine themselves to fiscal provisions to enable targeted scrutiny and avoid procedural abuses. This orientation manifests in lower support for Liberal government economic measures compared to the Independent Senators Group (ISG), which, dominated by Trudeau appointees, aligns with government positions over 90% of the time on key votes; CSG voting reflects greater skepticism toward deficit expansion, though exact alignments vary by bill and hover around 60-70% concurrence with Conservative economic stances in available analyses of post-2019 records. Independence persists on social policy, where CSG senators diverge from strict Conservative lines more often than on fiscal matters, rejecting uniform partisanship.^[36]^[37]^[17] On institutional matters, CSG consistently advocates Senate reform to enhance democratic legitimacy, including fixed term limits and mechanisms for provincial input on appointments, echoing Tannas's endorsement of elected or consultative processes during his 2012 Alberta Senate nominee campaign under the Progressive Conservative banner. This position stems from first-principles views on accountability, positing that unelected, indefinite terms undermine public trust, though CSG avoids prescribing wholesale abolition or election mandates to preserve the chamber's regional sobering role. Such stances have informed CSG support for procedural updates, like expanded pre-studies, without tying votes to external party platforms.^[38]

Contributions to Legislation and Committees

Members of the Canadian Senators Group (CSG) have actively participated in Senate committees, particularly those addressing finance, banking, and natural resources, where they have advocated for enhanced oversight and regional perspectives in legislative review. For instance, CSG Senator Krista Ross serves on the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, contributing to examinations of government spending and fiscal policies, including pre-budget consultations that emphasize fiscal restraint and economic competitiveness.^[39] Similarly, CSG senators, including Leader Scott Tannas, have engaged in the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce, scrutinizing financial regulations and trade agreements to mitigate perceived government interventions in market dynamics.^[40] In the realm of energy and natural resources, CSG representatives have influenced committee deliberations on bills and studies related to resource development, often pushing for amendments to reduce regulatory hurdles on projects while incorporating environmental safeguards. Their involvement in the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources has led to reports and observations critiquing federal overreach in project approvals, such as those examining pipeline expansions and resource extraction timelines during the 2020s.^[41] Although specific CSG-proposed amendments to foundational legislation like Bill C-69 (Impact Assessment Act, enacted 2019) predate the group's formal structure, subsequent committee work by CSG members has focused on implementation critiques, advocating for streamlined assessments to support energy infrastructure without compromising due process.^[42] CSG senators have sponsored and advanced private members' bills, demonstrating direct legislative input. Notable among these is Bill S-268, introduced by Senator Tannas on October 5, 2023, which seeks amendments to the Criminal Code and Indian Act to address specific enforcement gaps, reflecting the group's emphasis on practical legal reforms.^[43] In committee settings, such as the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications, CSG members have recommended amendments to bills on infrastructure and digital policy, though some proposals, like those aimed at balancing federal authority with provincial jurisdiction, were defeated during the 44th Parliament.^[44] Through targeted interventions and voting patterns, CSG has contributed to modifying or delaying aspects of government legislation between 2022 and 2025, particularly in budget implementation acts and economic bills, by insisting on extended study periods to incorporate regional economic impacts—evident in votes on Bill C-69 (Budget Implementation Act, 2024) where CSG senators supported scrutiny amendments.^[45] This approach has enhanced Senate oversight, ensuring greater input from resource-dependent provinces on energy-related provisions, though quantifiable blocks remain tied to broader chamber dynamics rather than unilateral CSG action.^[46]

Reception, Achievements, and Criticisms

Achievements in Senate Modernization

The Canadian Senators Group (CSG), established in November 2019, has promoted Senate modernization by emphasizing independent decision-making, regional representation, and collaborative legislative processes without mandatory bloc voting. This approach aligns with broader efforts to reduce partisanship, enabling senators to prioritize evidence-based scrutiny over party loyalty. By capping membership to maintain operational efficiency—initially at 11 founders and limited to around 25—the CSG has modeled a flexible structure that encourages thorough debate and transparency in Senate proceedings.^[1]^[5] The CSG's framework has contributed to the Senate's evolving independence, where non-partisan groups, including the CSG, now represent over 80% of senators, facilitating equitable treatment in leadership roles and committee assignments. This shift supported legislative changes like Bill S-2, adopted in 2021, which amended the Parliament of Canada Act to recognize independent groups' roles in consultations and allowances, enhancing procedural fairness for non-affiliated senators. Such reforms have enabled more rigorous policy review, countering criticisms of Senate inefficiency by institutionalizing collaborative oversight.^[47]^[48] CSG leader Senator Scott Tannas has underscored pragmatic modernization through testimony and interventions advocating for unhurried bill examinations to fulfill the Senate's sober second thought function. In a 2024 chamber debate, Tannas highlighted historical reform efforts, including surveys and committees dating back to 2015, as foundations for current independent practices that yield improved legislative outcomes. Supporters credit this model with reducing partisan gridlock, as evidenced by the independent Senate's success in amending approximately 25% of government bills in recent sessions, often with House of Commons concurrence.^[49]^[46]^[50]

Criticisms of Effectiveness and Partisanship

Critics, particularly from progressive perspectives, have contended that the Canadian Senators Group's collaborative approach with other independent senators has occasionally obstructed government legislation by introducing amendments and extending debates, thereby complicating the legislative process for the executive. A 2019 analysis by the Institute for Research on Public Policy noted that the shift toward greater Senate independence, including groups like the CSG, has made bill passage more challenging and unpredictable for the government, as senators exercise scrutiny without traditional party discipline.^[35] For instance, in November 2023, a CSG senator adjourned debate on a bill expanding carbon tax exemptions for farmers, contributing to delays amid opposition to proposed amendments, which some viewed as resistance to refining progressive environmental policies.^[51] Similarly, the group consistently opposed amendments to a related carbon pricing exemption bill in December 2023, aligning with Conservative senators and prompting accusations of de facto conservatism impeding timely implementation of federal climate measures.^[52] The CSG's smaller size—approximately 17 members as of early 2025—has drawn internal and external critiques for constraining its effectiveness in influencing outcomes, such as securing committee seats or swaying votes on major bills.^[53] With fewer resources than larger formations like the Independent Senators Group, the CSG struggles to amplify regional voices or drive amendments independently, leading some observers to question its viability and impact within the chamber.^[5] Right-leaning commentators have expressed doubts about the group's claimed independence, arguing that its formation from defectors of both the Conservative caucus and the ISG reflects lingering partisan undercurrents rather than pure non-alignment, potentially diluting conservative opposition unity.^[17] This perception persists despite voting analyses showing post-2016 independents, including CSG members, opposing government positions more frequently than pre-reform senators, suggesting a measure of autonomy but fueling debates on whether the group truly transcends ideological blocs.^[17] While the CSG has maintained a lower profile in ethical controversies compared to traditional party caucuses—avoiding entanglement in the major pre-2015 expense scandals that ensnared appointed partisans—broader skepticism about the Senate's unelected nature undermines claims of enhanced legitimacy through independence.^[54] These scandals, involving improper claims by party-affiliated senators, highlighted systemic issues of accountability absent in newer groups like the CSG, yet the appointed status of all senators, including CSG members selected by the prime minister, perpetuates fundamental questions of democratic representation and responsiveness to public will.^[55]

Comparisons with Other Senate Groups

The Canadian Senators Group (CSG), consisting of 19 members as of September 2025, differs from the Independent Senators Group (ISG)—the largest bloc with 43 senators—in its voting behavior and alignment with government positions. Voting analyses reveal that ISG members opposed government bills in only three instances across sampled key legislation, such as limited resistance to bills C-11 and the extreme intoxication measure, indicating a pattern of high conformity to executive priorities despite the group's "independent" label.^[17]^[56] In contrast, the CSG exhibits greater divergence, particularly on fiscal and economic matters, stemming from its leadership under Senator Scott Tannas, a business founder with experience in financial services who prioritizes pragmatic scrutiny of government expansion. This orientation leads to more consistent challenges to Liberal-led policies, positioning the CSG as less deferential than the ISG, which has faced criticism for functioning akin to a supportive extension of the government rather than a robust check.^[19]^[17] Compared to the Progressive Senate Group (PSG), with 17 members derived from the former Senate Liberal Caucus, the CSG occupies a center-right space that facilitates elevated cross-aisle collaboration, especially with Conservative senators on restraint-oriented issues, without formal partisan whips. The PSG, retaining progressive leanings, aligns more closely with government social policies, whereas the CSG's structure enables bridging opposition dynamics on budgetary discipline.^[13]^[18] Overall, the CSG functions as a more cohesive counterweight to executive overreach than the ISG's broader but less oppositional framework, leveraging its smaller size for targeted amendments and regional advocacy that amplify Senate scrutiny beyond mere procedural delays.^[17]^[5]

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Government bill to reflect more independent Senate adopted
Dec 7, 2021 · ... Canadian Senators Group and the Progressive Senate Group. Under the more independent model, the Senate has made significant legislative ...
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Senator Scott Tannas - Topic Intervention 638390 - 33
May 7, 2024 · The original meeting of Senate reform was the survey that was initiated by Senator Massicotte and Senator Greene nine years ago. There were a ...
[50]
More independent Senate makes better laws
Jun 21, 2018 · Canada's increasingly independent Senate has improved through amendment a quarter of Government bills this session, garnering support from the elected house.Missing: faster | Show results with:faster
[51]
Final vote on carbon tax exemption bill delayed by new amendment
Nov 29, 2023 · Debate was eventually adjourned by New Brunswick Sen. Jim Quinn from the Canadian Senators Group, who voted against Moncion's amendment but said ...
[52]
Senate passes pared-down version of bill on carbon tax exemptions ...
Dec 14, 2023 · The Conservatives and the Canadian Senators Group voted consistently against all three proposed amendments, while the ISG, the Progressive ...
[53]
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy
Feb 18, 2025 · Canadian Senators Group (CSG): The Canadian Senators Group is the second-largest interest group in the Senate, at a present membership of 17.
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A chronology of the Senate expenses scandal | CBC News
Jul 13, 2016 · Another chapter in the Senate expense scandal closed Wednesday with the Crown officially withdrawing charges of fraud and breach of trust ...
[55]
Canadian Senators' Expenses Under Investigation After Auditor's ...
Jun 9, 2015 · But Canada is a country where expense-account fiddling can be political poison: It causes far more of the scandals here than sexual misbehavior ...
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'Soft-power position': new Senate government representative keys in ...
Sep 29, 2025 · Former Quebec Liberal minister turned government representative in the Senate Pierre Moreau says it's “impossible” to whip votes in the Red ...