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The Senate could be the Tories’ next opponent in their push for the Fair Elections Act

For those who think Canada's Senate is a rubber stamping factory that serves no purpose in 2014, this story might just change your mind.

According to reports, an all-party Senate committee is poised to unanimously recommend changes to the Harper government's Fair Elections Act.

Earlier this month, said Senate committee heard testimony from experts who criticized the controversial legislation arguing that it would disenfranchise thousands of voters, muzzle Elections Canada and weaken the election watchdog's investigative powers.

According to the Hill Times, the Senate committee has taken those critiques to heart.

"The Hill Times obtained a copy of some of the committee’s recommendations in its report on Bill C-23. They include requiring that attestations of name and address be given by authorities such as homeless shelters, student and senior’s residences, and other facilities to those who request them. The requirement would give those without identification proving their address another form of ID to vote.

"The Senators also recommend removing a spending loophole that would allow parties to exclude money spent on certain fundraising activities during a campaign from being counted as an election expense."

While the recommendations aren't binding, a strong rebuke of the legislation could be an indication that Conservative Senators won't rubber stamp this bill.

There is recent precedent: Last summer, the Senate flexed it legislative muscle by blocking Bill C-377, a Tory-backed private members bill which would have forced unions to publicly post details of their finances on-line.

[ Related: Pierre Poilievre's 'attack-dog' style makes him questionable choice for key role ]

The Harper government's Fair Elections Act has been criticized by a lot of individuals and groups.

The growing list of opponents include the opposition parties, former auditor general Sheila Fraser, the Assembly of First Nations, Democracy Watch, Canada's Chief Electoral Officer Marc Mayrand, former federal chief electoral officer Jean-Pierre Kingsley and chief electoral officers in British Columbia, Ontario and the Northwest Territories.

It looks like you can add another 'entity' to that list: Canada's Senators, a group that actually might be able to do something about it.

(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Press)

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