The Senate of Canada: Raisons D'être, Issues, and Reform

This paper examines the Canadian Senate’s role within the context of Canada’s federal parliamentary system; and argues for reform to address the democratic deficit, western alienation, and political gridlock. The need for an upper legislative chamber is established by the Senate’s functions of legislative review and regional representation. Numerous major reform proposals are evaluated, focusing specifically on the selection of Senators, the composition of the Senate and its power to veto legislation. Ultimately, it is difficult to reconcile the Westminster principle of majority rule with a democratized Senate. Therefore, a Senate with curtailed veto powers and more equal provincial government representation through bureaucratic delegations is recommended. Nonetheless, Justin Trudeau’s recent Senate reform measures remain unassessed due to their relative infancy.