Senate of Canada

The Senate of Canada (French: Sénat du Canada) is the upper house of the Parliament of Canada, which also comprises the House of Commons of Canada. The Senate is a component of the Canadian parliamentary system, modeled after the House of Lords in the United Kingdom. It was established in 1867 under the Constitution Act, 1867 (formerly the British North America Act, 1867).

Composition and Appointment

The Senate is composed of 105 members, known as Senators, who are appointed by the Governor General of Canada on the advice of the Prime Minister of Canada. Senators are appointed to represent regions, provinces, and territories, with the aim of providing regional representation in the legislative process. The distribution of seats is as follows:

• 24 for the Maritimes (10 for Nova Scotia, 10 for New Brunswick, and 4 for Prince Edward Island)
• 24 for Quebec
• 24 for Ontario
• 24 for the Western provinces (6 each for Manitoba, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Alberta)
• 6 for Newfoundland and Labrador
• 1 each for the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut

Senators hold their seats until the age of 75, unless they resign or are disqualified.

Functions and Powers

The Senate's primary functions include:

• Legislation Review: The Senate reviews and revises legislation proposed by the House of Commons. It can propose amendments and has the power to reject bills, although this is rare.
• Regional Representation: The Senate ensures that all regions of Canada have a voice in the legislative process, balancing the representation in the House of Commons, which is based on population.
• Investigative Role: The Senate conducts studies and investigations into national issues, often through its committees, which can provide detailed reports and recommendations.
• Sober Second Thought: The Senate is often described as providing "sober second thought" on legislation, offering a more reflective and less partisan perspective.

Criticisms and Reforms

The Senate has faced criticism over the years, primarily concerning its method of appointment and perceived lack of accountability. Critics argue that the appointment process can lead to patronage and that Senators are not directly accountable to the public. Various reform proposals have been suggested, including:

• Elected Senate: Proposals to elect Senators rather than appoint them.
• Term Limits: Introducing term limits for Senators to ensure turnover and reduce lifetime appointments.
• Abolition: Some have called for the abolition of the Senate, arguing it is unnecessary.

Recent Developments

In recent years, there have been efforts to make the Senate more independent and less partisan. The Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments was established to recommend non-partisan candidates for appointment, and many Senators now sit as independents rather than as members of political parties.

Also see

• Parliament of Canada
• House of Commons of Canada
• Governor General of Canada
• Prime Minister of Canada
• Constitution Act, 1867