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A question many were asking on election night had nothing to with the results. Rather, it was why anyone would step down from what many Canadians perceive to be a pretty cushy job as a senator?

That’s what André Pratte did. In an exclusive interview at his St-Lambert home, the former La Presse editor-in-chief pointed to partisanship within the Senate ranks as the principal cause of his resignation. Although he was appointed among the first wave of independent senators by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau more than three years ago, it appears “independent” was meant in name only.

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Pratte felt constrained and disappointed by what he viewed as a lack of co-operation, with senators — independent or otherwise — appointed by Conservative and Liberal governments essentially toeing respective party lines.

“The Senate today, even with the appointment of independent senators, remains a very partisan place and to function in such a chamber, you need some skills,” Pratte noted. “I am someone for whom independence and non-partisanship are at the top of my values. I have a very hard time negotiating with people for whom their first value is party interests.”