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Senators Pierre Moreau, left to right, Richard Martel and Claude Carignan pose for a photo ahead of Martel's swearing-in at the Senate of Canada, in Ottawa on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle

Martel returns to Conservative caucus, joins the Tory Senate group

Oct 6, 2026 | 11:10 AM

OTTAWA — Quebec Sen. Richard Martel is back in the opposition caucus after joining the Conservative Senate group today.

Sen. Leo Housakos, the opposition leader in the Senate, says Martel is a “natural fit” in a statement issued today.

Martel left the House of Commons in July when Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed him to the Senate but had not identified which Senate group he would sit with until now.

Martel says he is happy to be joining his Conservative colleagues in the Senate and looks forward to getting to work on the national security, defence and veterans affairs committee.