Senate of Canada

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Senate of Canada

Sénat du Canada
44th Canadian Parliament
200px
Type
Type
History
Founded1867
Leadership
Structure
Seats105
Senate of Canada - Seating Plan (44th Parliament).svg
Elections
Appointment by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister
Last election
N/A
Meeting place
File:Senate of Canada.jpg
Senate of Canada Building, Ottawa, Ontario
Website
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 and the Sovereign. The Senate is modeled after the House of Lords of the United Kingdom and serves as a chamber of "sober second thought," providing a final check on the legislation passed by the House of Commons.

History[edit | edit source]

The Senate was established in 1867 under the British North America Act, 1867, now known as the Constitution Act, 1867. It was created to provide regional representation and to review legislation passed by the House of Commons.

Composition[edit | edit source]

The Senate is composed of 105 members who are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. Senators must be at least 30 years old, own property worth at least $4,000 in the province for which they are appointed, and reside in that province. Senators may serve until the age of 75.

Functions[edit | edit source]

The primary function of the Senate is to review and revise legislation proposed by the House of Commons. The Senate also has the power to introduce its own bills, except for money bills, which must originate in the House of Commons. Additionally, the Senate conducts investigations into national issues and provides a forum for regional representation.

Committees[edit | edit source]

The Senate operates several committees that focus on specific areas such as finance, legal and constitutional affairs, and social affairs, science and technology. These committees play a crucial role in examining legislation and conducting in-depth studies on various issues.

Criticisms and Reforms[edit | edit source]

The Senate has faced criticism over the years for being undemocratic due to its appointed nature. Various reforms have been proposed, including electing senators, imposing term limits, and changing the appointment process. However, significant reforms have yet to be implemented.

Related Pages[edit | edit source]

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD