The House

New shoes for the Finance Minister... and new Senators for the Red Chamber

This week on The House, Liberal House Leader Dominic Leblanc explains how his government's first Senate appointments could change the Upper Chamber. We also talk to newly-appointed Senators Peter Harder and Justice Murray Sinclair about their new roles. Then, we look ahead to next week's federal budget with the former Governor of the Bank of Canada, David Dodge, and Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made his first seven appointments to the Senate on Friday. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

This week on The House, how will Justin Trudeau's first Senate appointments change how things are done in the Upper Chamber?

The seven new Senators will sit as independents to represent the provinces of Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, the only three provinces who have agreed to take part in the Liberal government's plan to reform the Senate at this early stage.

Liberal House Leader Dominic Leblanc joins us to explain his government's choices, and when the remaining Senate vacancies will be filled.

We also talk to the new government representative in the Upper Chamber, Peter Harder, about how he plans to remain independent while also ushering the government's agenda in the Senate. We also hear from fellow new appointee Justice Murray Sinclair about his doubts about joining the institution.

Then, expectations are high ahead of the Liberals' first budget next week. The former Governor of the Bank of Canada, David Dodge, tells us what his advice to Finance Minister Bill Morneau would be. Following that, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi shares his wish list for Tuesday's budget.

Finally, our In House panelists Susan Delacourt and Joël-Denis Bellavance break down Friday's Senate appointments.