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OTTAWA — A Conservative backbencher’s controversial effort to rebalance power between MPs and party leaders is on its way to becoming law after surviving a stiff challenge in the Senate.

Michael Chong’s Reform Act passed in the upper house late Monday by a vote of 38-14, with four abstentions.

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It was surreal, I couldn’t believe that it was actually taking place

Chong sat in the gallery to watch the nerve-wracking finale to his 19-month crusade to empower MPs and dilute the power of party leaders.

“It was surreal, I couldn’t believe that it was actually taking place,” he said in an interview moments after the final vote.

“We weren’t sure when the vote was going to take place … or if at all. There was a real risk that the bill was going to be filibustered out and that didn’t happen.”

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Chong was “thrilled” with the outcome and predicted it will mean MPs will be able to do a better job representing their constituents.

“It will lead to freer votes in the House of Commons, where members of Parliament can, on occasion, break ranks with their party to represent their constituents views and that is a significant change from the status quo.”