Progressive Senate Group
The Progressive Senate Group is a caucus of independent senators in the Senate of Canada, formed in 2019 from members of the prior Independent Liberal Senate caucus, united by progressive principles emphasizing liberty and equality.[1][2] Currently led by Senator Brian Francis and comprising 16 members, the group operates outside formal party structures while focusing on legislative scrutiny and advocacy for Canadian interests.[3][4] The group's establishment aligned with reforms initiated by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to reduce partisan influence in the Senate through independent appointments and the dissolution of traditional party caucuses.[2] Its senators engage in debating bills, conducting studies on national issues, and participating in Question Period to hold the government accountable, often proposing amendments to advance social and economic policies.[1] Notable activities include contributions to discussions on topics such as RCMP heritage and trade legislation, reflecting a commitment to balanced parliamentary review.[1] While positioned as non-partisan, the Progressive Senate Group's origins in the Liberal tradition have drawn observations that its voting patterns frequently support government initiatives, distinguishing it from more centrist or conservative-leaning independent factions like the Canadian Senators Group.[5] This alignment underscores its role as a progressive counterweight within the upper chamber, though it has faced internal shifts, such as member defections to other groups amid debates over regional representation and policy fit.[6]History
Pre-Formation Context
Prior to the Progressive Senate Group's formation, the Senate of Canada functioned largely as a partisan body divided between the Conservative and Liberal caucuses, with senators appointed by prime ministers typically aligning with the governing or opposition parties. On January 29, 2014, Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau expelled all 32 sitting Liberal senators from the party caucus, declaring an end to formal partisan affiliations in the upper chamber to promote independence and address public concerns over Senate scandals and patronage appointments.[7][8] These senators, appointed by previous Liberal prime ministers, retained their seats but operated without caucus support or party funding, marking an initial step toward non-partisanship despite retaining progressive policy inclinations.[9] Following the Liberal government's election in October 2015, Prime Minister Trudeau advanced Senate reform by establishing an Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments in early 2016, shifting to a merit-based, non-partisan selection process open to public nominations.[10] This initiative led to the appointment of independent senators from diverse professional backgrounds, with Trudeau appointing 50 such senators by September 2019, representing nearly half of the Senate's 105 seats and tipping the balance toward independents.[11] The Senate responded by authorizing funding for independent senators as a collective group in 2016 and amending its rules in October 2017 to formally recognize non-partisan caucuses with at least nine members, providing them with resources for research, committee work, and internal coordination.[12] The rapid growth of independents necessitated organizational structures beyond traditional parties, culminating in the formation of the Independent Senators Group (ISG) in 2016 to manage legislative collaboration among non-affiliated members.[11] By 2019, the ISG had expanded to over 50 senators, creating logistical challenges such as diluted debate, procedural delays, and criticisms of conformity in decision-making, which hindered effective scrutiny of legislation.[13] This environment of a fragmented yet predominantly independent Senate— with more than half of seats (58 out of 103) held by independents by October 2019—fostered demands for smaller, affinity-based subgroups to streamline operations while upholding individual autonomy and ideological focus.[14]Establishment in 2019
The Progressive Senate Group (PSG) was formed on November 14, 2019, through the rebranding of the nine remaining senators from the disbanded Senate Liberal Caucus, which had been severed from the Liberal Party by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2014 as part of efforts to depoliticize the upper chamber.[15][16] This move allowed the senators to operate as a fully independent parliamentary group, emphasizing free votes without party whips and a commitment to progressive values such as liberty and equality.[17] Senator Joseph A. Day of New Brunswick was appointed interim leader, with Senator Terry Mercer serving as deputy leader.[15] Initial members included Senators Lillian Dyck (Saskatchewan), Dennis Dawson (Quebec), Serge Joyal (Quebec), and Percy Downe (Prince Edward Island), among others previously affiliated with the Liberal caucus or the Independent Senators Group.[15] The group's formation aimed to restore balance in the evolving Senate structure, foster debate on new policies, and ensure rigorous scrutiny of legislation affecting Canadians, particularly in areas like Indigenous reconciliation—inspired by the Algonquin concept of "Mamidosewin," meaning a collaborative meeting place.[17][1] The PSG positioned itself as a counterweight to other Senate groups, such as the Independent Senators Group and the newly formed Canadian Senators Group, by prioritizing a progressive lens while maintaining non-partisan independence in line with Trudeau's Senate reform agenda.[17] However, the group quickly faced challenges, as defections reduced its membership below the nine-senator threshold required for official recognition and funding, leading to a temporary loss of status by late November 2019, though Day continued to facilitate its evolution until his retirement on December 11, 2019.[16][18]Developments Since Formation
In the years immediately following its formation, the Progressive Senate Group maintained a core membership of around 11 senators and focused on independent scrutiny of legislation, with members contributing to committee deliberations and floor debates on issues such as economic recovery and Indigenous reconciliation.[19] [20] The group positioned itself as a counterbalance to larger caucuses, emphasizing detailed review of bills to ensure attention to Canadian priorities like environmental protections and labour mobility.[1] Group members sponsored private members' bills addressing targeted policy areas, including S-241 (the Jane Goodall Act), introduced to prohibit commercial trade in great apes and their parts for conservation purposes; S-244, proposing an Employment Insurance Council for enhanced oversight; and S-275, aiming to balance the Bank of Canada's independence with accountability mechanisms.[21] These initiatives reflected the group's priorities in biodiversity, social supports, and monetary policy, though passage rates for such bills remained low amid Senate priorities favoring government legislation. Leadership transitioned in May 2025, with Senator Brian Francis succeeding Senator Pierre Dalphond as group leader; Senator Tracy Muggli was appointed caucus chair and deputy liaison, while Senator Amina Gerba took the liaison role.[22] This change occurred amid ongoing Senate dynamics, including minor affiliation shifts across caucuses but relative stability for the Progressive Senate Group at approximately 13 members.[23] Recent activities included parliamentary questions on federal investments, such as $3.2 million for the RCMP Heritage Centre under Budget 2024, underscoring continued engagement in cultural and fiscal oversight.[24]Ideology and Objectives
Core Principles
The Progressive Senate Group, formed in 2019 by senators previously affiliated with the Liberal caucus, articulates its core principles as a commitment to progressive values rooted in liberty, equality, fundamental rights, and the public good. These values emphasize advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and ensuring government actions prioritize collective interests over partisan directives. The group positions itself as guided by these ideals in legislative scrutiny, particularly through the Senate's traditional role of providing "sober second thought" to bills, with explicit attention to implications for Canadian Charter rights, Indigenous rights, official languages, and regional or minority representation.[25] Central to their framework is the principle of free votes, whereby no senator is compelled to align with a party line; instead, informed internal discussions precede independent decisions, fostering accountability without coercion. Independence from the House of Commons and executive influence is another cornerstone, allowing members to engage in external political activities while maintaining the Senate's autonomy as a chamber of review rather than origination. This independence is balanced by a collaborative ethos, described as "working together" or mamidosewin—an Algonquin term meaning "meeting place" or "walking together"—which encourages joint efforts on shared objectives while preserving individual senators' freedom to champion personal policy initiatives.[25] The group's operational principles also include leveraging senators' collective experience, imposing organizational discipline for efficiency, and promoting equality among members in decision-making processes. These elements aim to enhance the Senate's effectiveness in supporting progressive policy advancement, diversity, and equitable opportunities for Canadians, though critics have noted the principles' alignment with broader Liberal traditions despite the rebranding toward non-partisanship.[25][15]Policy Priorities
The Progressive Senate Group emphasizes policy areas aligned with progressive values, including reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, promotion of official bilingualism, and addressing social challenges such as mental health, education, literacy, child care, and poverty reduction.[25] These priorities reflect the group's commitment to advancing equality and liberty through legislative scrutiny, with a focus on ensuring bills respect the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Indigenous rights, and minority protections during the Senate's "sober second thought" process.[25] Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples stands as a foundational priority, with members pledging to "walk together with Indigenous peoples in advancing reconciliation" by integrating Indigenous perspectives into legislative debates and advocating for policies that address historical injustices and promote self-determination.[25] This includes rigorous review of bills impacting Indigenous communities, such as those related to land rights and cultural preservation, drawing on the expertise of members like Senator Brian Francis, a former executive director of the Assembly of First Nations.[26] On social welfare, the group prioritizes investments in mental health services, accessible education and literacy programs, affordable child care, and poverty alleviation measures, viewing these as essential to reducing inequality and fostering opportunity.[25] For instance, senators have supported budget allocations in federal plans, such as the 2024 Budget's $3.2 million for initiatives like the RCMP Heritage Centre, which indirectly ties to community well-being and historical education.[24] Equality of official languages is another key focus, with advocacy for policies strengthening French and English linguistic rights across Canada, particularly in bilingual service delivery and cultural preservation efforts.[25] The group's collaborative approach allows free votes on these issues, enabling members to align with evidence-based reforms while representing regional concerns, such as those in Atlantic Canada or Quebec.[25] Overall, these priorities aim to balance immediate legislative needs with long-term societal equity, though critics note the group's origins in the former Senate Liberal Caucus may incline toward government-aligned positions on expansive social spending.[27]Leadership and Governance
Current Leadership
The Progressive Senate Group's current leadership, as announced on May 14, 2025, and effective May 15, 2025, is headed by Senator Brian Francis as Leader.[22] Francis, appointed to the Senate in 2017 representing Prince Edward Island, succeeded Senator Pierre J. Dalphond, who had led the group since February 2021.[22] [3] Senator Judy A. White serves as Deputy Leader, a role she has held ongoing through the transition.[22] White, appointed in 2016 from Newfoundland and Labrador, supports the Leader in coordinating the group's activities and chamber business.[3] Additional key positions include Senator Tracy Muggli as Caucus Chair and Deputy Liaison, and Senator Amina Gerba as Liaison, both effective May 15, 2025.[22] Muggli, appointed in 2022 from British Columbia, focuses on internal caucus management and deputy liaison duties with other Senate groups.[3] Gerba, appointed in 2018 from Quebec, handles external liaison responsibilities, including coordination on legislative matters.[3] This structure aligns with the group's emphasis on independent collaboration ahead of the 45th Parliament.[22]Historical Leadership Transitions
The Progressive Senate Group was established on November 14, 2019, following the dissolution of the Senate Liberal Caucus, with Jane Cordy elected as its inaugural leader on December 12, 2019.[28] Cordy, appointed to the Senate in 2000, led the group through its formative years, emphasizing collaboration and independence from traditional party structures while maintaining a progressive orientation. Her tenure, spanning over four years, focused on building the group's capacity amid challenges such as securing official party status and navigating internal membership shifts.[29] Cordy retired from the Senate on November 18, 2024, prompting a leadership transition to Pierre Dalphond, who assumed the role of leader thereafter. Dalphond, a former judge of the Quebec Court of Appeal appointed to the Senate in 2018, served in this capacity through early 2025, continuing the group's advocacy for Senate modernization and independent scrutiny of legislation. His brief leadership emphasized continuity in progressive priorities, including support for non-partisan appointments and procedural reforms.[30] On May 14, 2025, the group announced a further leadership change, electing Brian Francis as leader in an internal vote. Francis, a Mi'kmaq senator from Prince Edward Island appointed in 2020 and former chief of the Lennox Island First Nation, became the first Indigenous person to lead a parliamentary group in the Senate or House of Commons. This transition also saw Amina Gerba appointed as liaison and Tracy Muggli as caucus chair/deputy liaison, reflecting the group's emphasis on diverse representation and internal governance.[22][31]Membership Composition
Current Members
The Progressive Senate Group consists of 16 senators as of 2025, primarily comprising individuals appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau along with a few former members of the Senate Liberal Caucus.[4][23] Leadership is held by Brian Francis (Prince Edward Island), who became leader on May 15, 2025, marking the first time an Indigenous senator has led a recognized parliamentary group in the Senate.[31] The deputy leader is Judy White (Newfoundland and Labrador), in the role since February 27, 2024. Amina Gerba (Quebec) serves as liaison, appointed May 15, 2025. Current members represent a range of provinces and backgrounds, including:- Michèle Audette (Quebec)
- Wanda Thomas Bernard (Nova Scotia)
- Andrew Cardozo (Ontario), focusing on urban issues and reconciliation[32]
- Rodger Cuzner (Nova Scotia)
- Daryl Fridhandler (Alberta)[33]
- V. Peter Harder (Ontario), former government representative in the Senate[34]
- Marty Klyne (Saskatchewan), emphasizing Indigenous and economic priorities[35]