Public Policies

In our Canadian Parliamentary system, the Senate plays a critical role. The Senate was created to protect the various regional, provincial and minority interests in Canada. As the Upper Chamber in a bicameral (meaning "two houses") Parliament, the Senate also acts as a check and balance to review legislation coming from the House of Commons.

In most cases, the Senate refers legislation to one of its standing - or permanent - committees. Senate Committees fulfil three basic tasks: study legislation, investigate policy matters and examine government spending proposals. It is here, in the Senate Committees, that Senators have a great deal of influence in the realm of public policy.

Ten standing committees study legislation referred to them by the Senate. Their titles reflect the types of legislation they study:

Aboriginal Peoples

Agriculture and Forestry

Banking, Trade and Commerce

Energy, the Environment and
Natural Resources

Fisheries

Foreign Affairs

Legal and Constitutional Affairs

National Finance

Social Affairs, Science and
Technology

Transport and Communications

The Senate also participates in joint committees with the House of Commons to examine matters of mutual interest. Standing committees, or subcommittees they may create from time to time, as well as special committees created by order of the Senate, may also conduct special studies on matters of interest to Canadians.

Committees hold public hearings to gather the facts. They may call for papers and records to be sent. They may call for government officials, experts, organizations and individuals to appear and answer questions. Committees may travel to hold their hearings in various locations across Canada. Senators discuss the points of view presented to them and attempt to meld them into fair and coherent policy recommendations. At the end of its investigation, a Committee submits a report to the Senate, at times including amendments to legislation or recommendations on a particular issue.

Senate Committees conduct studies on many challenging social, legal, environmental and economic issues. They play an important role in advising government, reflecting and responding to public opinion, and acting as a watch-dog on public policy. Committee reports have brought about change and improvements in government policy and legislation. Such reports continue to be requested and used as reference documents to this day.

Some examples of major policy issues that Senate Committees have reported on are:

Most committee meetings are held in public. Committees welcome and receive briefs and requests to appear from all interested Canadians. Copies of all transcripts from Senate Committee meetings as well as their reports are available, free of charge. For more information on Senate Committees or for copies of transcripts or reports please contact :