[View the story "'A good decision': Liberal senators weigh in on new independence" on Storify ]'A good decision': Liberal senators weigh in on new independence Liberal senators weighed in on Twitter following Justin Trudeau's announcement Wednesday, that they would now sit as independents and would no longer be part of the party's Caucus. Storified by CTVNews.ca · Wed, Jan 29 2014 09:27:54
In a statement posted to the Liberal Party website, Trudeau said the move was intended to remove patronage and partisanship in the Senate, which he says has become an institution that "poorly serves the interests of Canadians."
Today I announced that we are taking steps to end patronage and partisanship in the Senate. http://t.co/EoliBZTsntJustin Trudeau, MP
A handful of the Liberal Senators applauded the move on Twitter, but also reaffirmed their commitment to the party's values:
A good decision. Towards greater independence for the Senate! #senca #cdnpoliSén. Maria Chaput
Well a whole new meaning to Independence Day. As an independent I remain a liberal fighting for the rights of those with disabilitiesJim Munson
Mood upbeat in Liberal Senate Caucus. Now we will serve Canadians more effectively #senCASen. Mobina Jaffer
Have & will always support Liberal values in Canada. To continue important work reviewing legislation for #PEI citizens & all Cdns #cdnpoliSenator Percy Downe
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, the minister in charge of democratic reform, said the announcement was nothing more than a stunt to distract away from an upcoming auditor general's report on Senate expenses.
Bold move by @JustinTrudeau today by removing all Liberal senators from the party caucus. #cdnpoliBen
Decision by @JustinTrudeau to give senators independence and to make non-partisan appointments builds my faith in the @liberal_partyLiam St.Louis
@JustinTrudeau just cut loose the Liberal appointed senators. Looks like a good step toward a nonpartisan Senate! #canpoliBrill Pappin
Having Senators sit as independents changes nothing. They are still Senators. They are still Liberals.Scott Moffatt
There is far less to today's Sen. announcement than meets the eye. Liberal Senators now have Wed. mornings free and thats about it #cdnpoliJohn Cruickshank
So basically, Liberal Senators remain Liberal Senators. Well, that was fun while it lasted. #cdnpoliDean Tester
Regarding all Liberal senators to sit as independents: are we pretending they will suddenly cease being Liberals in any real sense?aaron
And of course, this being Twitter, there were also plenty of jokes:
Whoa, Canada's JT sweeps th senators off the board like Michael Corleone eliminating the dons of the old school 'families' in The Godfather.City Lights Bookshop
Liberal Senators lose spots on caucus. (that cream finally worked)Steve Patterson
Should we call them "Senators formerly known as Liberal" or an unpronounceable symbolic combination of and ? #cdnpoliMonica Rooney
