Senate

What’s Gone Wrong?

1. Partisan Appointments
   Historically, Prime Ministers have stacked the Senate with loyalists. While Trudeau’s shift to an independent appointment process was meant to address this, critics argue it hasn’t fully removed ideological bias—just rebranded it.
2. Lack of Accountability
   Senators are unelected and serve until age 75. That can result in less responsiveness to public will and, in some cases, disengagement from meaningful legislative contribution.
3. Limited Transparency
   The Senate’s work often happens out of the public eye, which creates the impression (or reality) of a body that lacks transparency and accountability.

How Can Canada Reclaim Its Senate?

1. Reform the Appointment Process

• Truly Independent Appointments: Create a non-partisan, arms-length commission with public oversight to select nominees.
• Set Clear Criteria: Candidates should meet strict qualifications (regional leadership, civic contribution, legal/constitutional expertise) instead of political loyalty.

2. Term Limits

• Instead of serving until age 75, implement fixed terms (e.g., 8-12 years). This would increase turnover and relevance while still allowing for independence from short-term political pressure.

3. Greater Transparency and Public Engagement

• Publish clear records of attendance, voting, and committee participation.
• Hold public consultations before certain appointments or on major legislation.

4. Electoral Reform (Controversial but Discussed)

• Some advocate for an elected Senate, like in the U.S. or Australia. While this raises challenges around legitimacy and partisanship, it could reinvigorate public trust and engagement.
• Alberta experimented with “Senate nominee elections,” though the federal government was not obligated to honor them.

5. Reduce Senate Size or Focus Its Role

• Streamline its mandate: Make the Senate more of a policy review board rather than a quasi-legislative body.
• Focus on regional equity: Use it to balance the population-weighted House of Commons with equal regional representation on national issues.

Is Abolishing the Senate an Option?

Technically yes, but practically no.
Abolishing the Senate would require constitutional reform involving 7 provinces with at least 50% of the population, which is extremely hard to achieve. Reform is far more feasible than abolition.

Conclusion

The Senate can be a powerful and constructive force in Canadian democracy—if it’s depoliticized and modernized. Canada needs a Senate that challenges government when necessary, refines legislation, and gives every region a real voice. But that only happens if Canadians push for meaningful reform.