In the Canadian Senate, senators are generally seated as a group with members of the caucus of their political party. The members of the governing party or parties are seated to the right of the Speaker in the Senate of Canada, while members of opposition parties are generally seated to the left of the Speaker. Where the governing party or parties have more than half the members of the Senate, members of the government caucus are seated on the "opposition side", and where the government has less than half of the seats, opposition members are seated on the "government side."
‡ A group of non-affiliated senators formed the Independent Senators Group in order to take better advantage of senate resources. It is a loose non-political formation as opposed to the more rigid political formations of the Senate Liberals and Conservatives. Some Senators, including the Speaker, those who act for the government and a few others have not joined this group.
† Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had announced his intention to nominate individuals to the vacant seats but as of January 29, 2017 the writs of summons for one individual had yet to be granted (see pending appointments of Canadian Senators).
‡ A group of non-affiliated senators formed the Independent Senators Group in order to take better advantage of senate resources. It is a loose non-political formation as opposed to the more rigid political formations of the Senate Liberals and Conservatives. Some Senators, including the Speaker, those who act for the government and a few others have not joined this group.
† Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had announced his intention to nominate individuals to the vacant seats but as of January 29, 2017 the writs of summons for one individual had yet to be granted (see pending appointments of Canadian Senators).