Canadian Senate

The Senate (French: Sénat) is a component of the Parliament of Canada, which also includes the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General) and the House of Commons. The Senate is an appointed body, consisting of 105 members appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. Senate seats are divided among the provinces in such a way that Ontario, Quebec, the Maritime provinces, and the Western provinces are equally represented. The number of seats for Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut are assigned apart from these regional divisions. Senators serve until they reach the age of seventy-five.

Recent Developments

Prime Minister Paul Martin has taken Pierre Trudeau's approach to the Senate, in that he has been willing to appoint opposition senators. Martin, who promised to deal with the so-called 'democratic deficit', has made over one third (5 of 14) of his appointments from members of opposition parties; two Progressive Conservatives, two Conservatives, and one New Democrat. Trudeau appointed 8 of his 81 senators from the opposition. Prime Minister John A Macdonald appointed 10 of his 91 appointments from the opposition. Other than these three Prime Ministers, only 9 other senators in the history of the country have been appointed to sit in the opposition caucuses of the Senate. This does not include Non-Partisans.

Related Topics:
Pierre Trudeau - John A Macdonald

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