Independent senator joins Liberals

Independent Senator Lillian Dyck has joined the Liberal caucus, the Canadian Press reported yesterday. The Saskatchewan senator was appointed in 2005 by then-Prime Minister Paul Martin, to sit as an NDP senator. However, the NDP refused to endorse her, leaving her sitting in the Upper House without party affiliation.

A Liberal spokesman says Dyck's decision to join the party ranks - along with that of Privy Council adviser Kevin Chan this week - shows that "people of great distinction" are gravitating toward Ignatieff.

The current standings have 59 Liberals, 38 Conservatives, five Independents and three Progressive Conservatives sitting in the Senate. Prime Minister Harper is expect to appoint 11 more senators within the end of 2009, due to upcoming retirements.