Since 1967, the centennial of Confederation, numerous political crises, economic chal- lenges, and international events have helped to transform Canadian society, and will continue to shape its future. Taking these various chal- lenges and opportunities of the past into ac- count, how does the future look for Canada? In Reflecting on Our Past and Embracing Our Future diplomats, politicians, scientists, and human rights leaders including Phil Fontaine, Michaëlle Jean, Ellen Gabriel, Paul Heinbecker, Bob Rae, Jean Charest, and David Suzuki have come together to share their wisdom and experience of events that have marked the country over the last fifty years. Reflecting on the role of the Senate in Canada as complementary to the House of Commons, they consider central issues such as the condi- tion of indigenous peoples, the obligations of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the recognition of two official languages, and the national unity referendums. Contributors also discuss the transformation of the economy in a globalized and digital world, the role of Canada on the world stage at a time of grow- ing tension and an increasing flow of refugees, climate change and the uncertain future of the Arctic, scientific and cultural competitions on the international market, and the future of parliamentary democracy. Correcting misconceptions about the con- temporary role of the Senate, and providing a counterargument for radical Senate reform, Reflecting on Our Past and Embracing Our Future offers rich perspectives and fascinating insights about Canada’s likely development in the coming years. The Honourable Serge Joyal is a lawyer, constitutionalist, and former minister and mp who was appointed to the Senate in 1997. The Honourable Judith Seidman is an epi- demiologist, health researcher, and social services advisor who was appointed to the Senate in 2009. 1 5 M Q U P F A L L 2 0 1 8 C A N A D I A N H I S T O R Y • P O L I T I C A L S T U D I E S Reflecting on Our Past and Embracing Our Future A Senate Initiative for Canada edited by serge joyal and judith seidman A clear-eyed look at the Senate’s original purpose and contemporary role in Canada. S P E C I F I C AT I O N S GdT5t.$aCZ)0sZr$aZ6aporaZ0)ZbopoCo November 2018 -i2l9lii87l778-lhZZ u8-n-7NZbmU4Zu8-n-7vZA64Zg8,n99ZZ150r$ 2ZBZ,9ZZS-h33ZZ-9Ztkoxa. a:00£ZoDot5oT5a v5.0ZoDot5oT5aZtpZHsap1$ Réfléc-ir sur notre passé pour aborder notre avenir ApaZtptrtortDaZCdZ6 porZ30dsZ5aZbopoCoZ -i2l9lii87l7782l-ZZ u8-n-7NZbmU4Zu8-n-7vZA64Zg8,n99ZZ150r$ 2ZBZ,9ZZ7h933ZZ-9Ztkoxa. a:00£ZoDot5oT5a