The Canadian Senate and the election of senators

Abstract

The research essay debates whether the Canadian Senate should keep its current government-appointed system where the executive branch chooses who becomes a senator. Alternatively, there should be an elected Senate where senators must run in elections to keep their seats. From these two opinions, the research essay will support electing a Senate to reform the current system of appointments. The essay's introduction will give context to how the Senate currently works—for example, describing how the Governor-General makes the senators' appointments on the prime minister's advice. Furthermore, provinces are assigned a certain number of seats, with the divisions being Ontario, Quebec, the maritime provinces, and the western provinces. The discussion will move to why Canada should have an elected Senate, defending that it gives power to the people, ultimately adding more democracy to Canada. Including providing checks and balances. Additionally, stopping the allowance of too much unilateral executive power. The following paragraph will be on how to organize an elected Senate. It will analyze the United States and Australia's senate system and compare how they operate within Canada's new senate design. Alongside discussion on how the voting system and the seat assignments to the provinces would work. Lastly, demonstrating how the elected Senate will change the way Canada can govern. For their scandals, it will allow citizens to hold senators accountable during election time, like Senators Mike Duffy, Patrick Brazeau, and Pamela Wallin. Both members of parliament and senators will have more autonomy as the prime minister's powers are weakened. Including the ability for voters to punish the House of Commons for legislation they pass with possible midterms. Plus, allowing for a slower and thoughtful process. Finally, the conclusion will include an overview of why the Senate should be elected, an elected senate's organization, and how an elected system would change the way the federal government can govern.