Legislation
‘Senate is not this monolithic rubber stamp anymore,’ independent Senate will change legislative process, Hill power structures
By Abbas Rana Jul. 25, 2016
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's strategy to create a non-partisan and more independent Upper Chamber also means Senators will have to be involved in the front end of the policy process. It's a whole new ballgame.
The Senate National Security Committee, pictured. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants to make the Senate a non-partisan Chamber and is appointing Independent Senators which will change the legislative and lobbying process. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s strategy to create a non-partisan and more independent Upper Chamber also means Senators will have to be involved in the front end of the policy process, there will need to be attitudinal changes at the political and institutional levels, changes will have to be made in how Senators are engaged, new parliamentary strategies will need to reflect the new Senate, the clerk of the Privy Council will need to drive this cultural shift, and the lobbying and advocacy sector will need to reflect all this, say political insiders.
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