FAQs about the Senate of Canada (junior version)
This youth brochure is aimed at school kids from Grades 4 to 9, and teachers, youth group leaders and parents of children ages 9 through 14.
Educators wishing to order copies of this brochure for classroom use should contact the Senate Communications Directorate at 1-800-267-7362 or
sencom@sen.parl.gc.ca.
Q: What is the Senate?
A: The Senate is an essential part of Parliament.
Over 135 years ago, the Fathers of Confederation agreed that Canada should
have a Parliament to make Canada’s laws. They wanted to be sure that everything
decided in Parliament be carefully thought through by not one, but two houses,
so they created an Upper House, the Senate, and a Lower House, the House of
Commons.
The Queen, represented by the Governor General, the Senate and the House of
Commons, make up Canada’s Parliament.
Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, called the Senate a place
of "sober second thought."
Q: What does the Senate do?
A: One of the most important jobs of the Senate is to help make the laws
that we live by.
The Senate carefully examines bills, which are proposed laws, to make
certain that they are the best they can be. The bills are studied to
find out how they might affect the daily lives of Canadians. Changes are
suggested to improve them; some bills may even be rejected. The Senate
may also introduce bills of its own, even though most bills are
introduced in the House of Commons.
No bill can become law in Canada without Senate approval.
The Senate is responsible for protecting the rights and interests of
Canadians in all regions, especially minority groups or people who do
not often get a chance to present their opinions to Parliament.
Before a bill can become law, it goes through three stages, called
"readings," in both Houses. The bill is debated, fine-tuned
and then voted on by each House. Once approved, the bill is presented to
the Governor General for royal assent and is made law.
Q: Who are senators?
A: The Senate is made up of women and men from all over Canada with many
different backgrounds.
Business people, lawyers, teachers, journalists, artists, doctors,
hockey players, police officers, scientists, writers, nurses, Aboriginal
leaders, and politicians have all become senators.
This variety of experience gives senators a better understanding of the
people they represent and of the problems that Parliament must try to
solve.
The Prime Minister recommends the names of senators to be appointed by
the Governor General.
There are many requirements to become a senator. For example, you must:
- be a Canadian citizen;
- be at least 30 years old;
- own property in your province or territory; and
- live in the province or territory that you will represent as a
senator.
There are usually 105 members of the Senate.
Q: What happens in a day in the life of a senator?
A: Senators are busy people. On any given day, they may
- discuss and debate important issues in the Senate Chamber;
- meet with the people they represent;
- work with office staff who help do research;
- go to committee meetings;
- submit bills to make laws;
- present petitions from groups who want to be heard;
- answer reporters’ questions;
- help people solve problems in dealing with government;
- read books, reports and studies;
- give speeches;
- attend conferences;
- travel between their home region and Ottawa; and
- represent Canada around the world.
Senators work on committees to investigate important issues,
including children’s rights, literacy, poverty and terrorism. They speak
on behalf of those whose rights are often overlooked, such as children,
veterans, the elderly and the poor. These investigations allow people
from all walks of life a chance to give their views on issues that
affect them.
Each year, Senate committees hear from more than 1000 people (also
called "witnesses"), hold an average of 400 meetings and
produce more than 100 reports.
Q: What happens in the Senate Chamber?
A: The Senate Chamber is where senators meet when Parliament is in
session.
They gather here to discuss committee reports, to debate important
issues and to pass laws. During Question Period, senators can ask the
Leader of the Government in the Senate about how the country is being
run.
The Opening of Parliament, the Speech from the Throne and other
important ceremonies take place in the Senate.
When the Senate is in session, the Speaker sits in a chair on a raised
platform at one end of the Chamber, in front of the two thrones. The
Speaker keeps order and makes sure that the rules of Parliament are
followed.
The mace is a symbol of the Senate’s authority. Whenever the Senate is
sitting, it must be set on the Clerk’s table with the crown pointing
toward the thrones.
Q: Why is the Senate called the Red Chamber?
A: The Senate is where the Queen comes when she visits Parliament, so it
is decorated in red a traditional colour of royalty.
To see more photos of the Senate Chamber, go to the Photo Gallery Section:
Look for:
- the ceiling covered in gold leaf;
- carvings of plants and animals native to Canada;
- stained glass windows set high in the walls;
- two bronze chandeliers weighing almost two tonnes each;
- murals depicting scenes from the First World War; and
- two thrones reserved for the Queen or the Governor General and
their spouses.
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