The Canadian Senate
Review:
The Senate is made up of 105 senators who are appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
These senators are men and women from all of the provinces and from a wide variety of backgrounds.
A senator is allowed to serve on the Senate until the age of 75 and has to be a Canadian citizen over age 30, own $4000 of equity in land in their home province, have over $4000 as personal net worth, and live in the province represented.
Each province or territory has a set number of Senators--24 from the Maritimes, Quebec, and Ontario, 6 each from Alberta, BC, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, 6 from Newfoundland and Labrador, and a further 1 each from the three territories.
The main role of the Senate is to read over and examine "bills" passed from the House of Commons. However, they can also initiate bills.
This process ensures that no rogue bills will become law. Rarely will the Senate reject a bill--sending it back to the House for amendment.
Senate amendments are usually accepted by the House of Commons.
Bills are subjected to the full legislative process and if passed will be given to the Governor General for Royal Assent turning it into law.
History: this body is called the "sober second thought" and has its origins from the old days where the wealthy and powerful who ran government before it became more democratic wanted to "slow down" the poor and lower-class from taking over. It also implies that the MP's in the House of Commons, who are ELECTED by the people, are drunk and irresponsible and cannot be trusted. Therefore, any decisions made by them need to be "looked after" by wealthier senators.
These senators are men and women from all of the provinces and from a wide variety of backgrounds.
A senator is allowed to serve on the Senate until the age of 75 and has to be a Canadian citizen over age 30, own $4000 of equity in land in their home province, have over $4000 as personal net worth, and live in the province represented.
Each province or territory has a set number of Senators--24 from the Maritimes, Quebec, and Ontario, 6 each from Alberta, BC, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, 6 from Newfoundland and Labrador, and a further 1 each from the three territories.
The main role of the Senate is to read over and examine "bills" passed from the House of Commons. However, they can also initiate bills.
This process ensures that no rogue bills will become law. Rarely will the Senate reject a bill--sending it back to the House for amendment.
Senate amendments are usually accepted by the House of Commons.
Bills are subjected to the full legislative process and if passed will be given to the Governor General for Royal Assent turning it into law.
History: this body is called the "sober second thought" and has its origins from the old days where the wealthy and powerful who ran government before it became more democratic wanted to "slow down" the poor and lower-class from taking over. It also implies that the MP's in the House of Commons, who are ELECTED by the people, are drunk and irresponsible and cannot be trusted. Therefore, any decisions made by them need to be "looked after" by wealthier senators.
Assignment:
Hints for your research: Look up what Triple E Senate is (Elected, Effective, Equal); look up Patronage and explain what it is, look at the number of seats in the "West" vs the "East".
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Marking Rubric:
Table= 6 marks (At least 3 pros and 3 cons)
Paragraph Question:
Did you argue a side? (1 mark)
If answer is NO, did you use your reasons from your research in the table above to explain 3 points of evidence to back up your answer?
(3 marks)
If answer is YES, did you use your reasons from your research in the table above to explain 2 points of evidence that isn't great for your ideal Canadian government system? (2 marks)
Is your solution that you offered insightful and detailed? (1 mark)
Total Assignment Marks: 10
Table= 6 marks (At least 3 pros and 3 cons)
Paragraph Question:
Did you argue a side? (1 mark)
If answer is NO, did you use your reasons from your research in the table above to explain 3 points of evidence to back up your answer?
(3 marks)
If answer is YES, did you use your reasons from your research in the table above to explain 2 points of evidence that isn't great for your ideal Canadian government system? (2 marks)
Is your solution that you offered insightful and detailed? (1 mark)
Total Assignment Marks: 10