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Protecting Canadian DemocracyThe Senate You Never Knew |
eBook Available
This first in-depth analysis of Canada's Senate in 40 years.
In recent years Canada's Senate, Parliament's chamber of sober second thought, has often been the subject of controversy and calls for reform. Protecting Canadian Democracy examines the history, role, and evolution of the Senate; places it in the context of other federal systems; and contrasts its role with that of provincial governments. Contributors analyse the Senate's use of its legislative powers, comparing it with the House of Commons, and assess the Senate's contribution to public policy development and review, showing how the upper chamber functions as a forum within Parliament for the representation of Canada's diverse regional, linguistic, cultural, and socio-economic interests.
The book evaluates all the major proposals for reform of the past thirty years, contending that the Senate should be improved by means that do not require formal amendments to the Constitution. The authors identify possibilities for reform the institution within the current constitutional framework, addressing the Senate's veto power, its appointment process, and its legislative independence. A valuable appendix of charts and statistics on the composition and operation of the Senate is also provided. Contributors include Janet Ajzenstat, C.E.S. Frank, Serge Joyal, Senator Lowell Murray, Gil Rémillard David E. Smith, Jack Stilborn, Paul Thomas, and Ronald Watts.
The book evaluates all the major proposals for reform of the past thirty years, contending that the Senate should be improved by means that do not require formal amendments to the Constitution. The authors identify possibilities for reform the institution within the current constitutional framework, addressing the Senate's veto power, its appointment process, and its legislative independence. A valuable appendix of charts and statistics on the composition and operation of the Senate is also provided. Contributors include Janet Ajzenstat, C.E.S. Frank, Serge Joyal, Senator Lowell Murray, Gil Rémillard David E. Smith, Jack Stilborn, Paul Thomas, and Ronald Watts.
Details
392 Pages, 6 x 9
ISBN 9780773526198
May 2003
Formats: Paperback, eBook
"This book sheds insightful light on a valuable but misunderstood institution on Parliament Hill. Canadians ignore the Senate’s potential to their detriment and this collection makes an important contribution to the nascent debate on Canada's democratic deficit." Chantal Hébert, national affairs correspondent, Toronto Star.
"At a time when more and more power has been concentrated in the Cabinet and the executive, and when the House of Commons has become virtually non-functional as a forum to monitor and restrain government, this book details how the Senate has evolved into a vital check on executive power as well as a effective vehicle to investigate and air core issues such as the balance between civil rights and national security. The authors offer key suggestions how this function can be made more effective without engaging in the cumbersome and likely futile process of constitutional reform." Hugh Winsor National political columnist, The Globe and Mail.
"This is a timely and important volume that makes a significant contribution to our understanding of Canada's Senate. It provides a history of the purposes and functions of the Senate that puts the benefits of an independent upper house front and centre and requires the advocates of reform to slow down and remember that ill-informed change might end up giving us poorer representation." David Docherty, Department of Political Science, Wilfrid Laurier University.
"At a time when more and more power has been concentrated in the Cabinet and the executive, and when the House of Commons has become virtually non-functional as a forum to monitor and restrain government, this book details how the Senate has evolved into a vital check on executive power as well as a effective vehicle to investigate and air core issues such as the balance between civil rights and national security. The authors offer key suggestions how this function can be made more effective without engaging in the cumbersome and likely futile process of constitutional reform." Hugh Winsor National political columnist, The Globe and Mail.
"This is a timely and important volume that makes a significant contribution to our understanding of Canada's Senate. It provides a history of the purposes and functions of the Senate that puts the benefits of an independent upper house front and centre and requires the advocates of reform to slow down and remember that ill-informed change might end up giving us poorer representation." David Docherty, Department of Political Science, Wilfrid Laurier University.
The Honourable Serge Joyal was a Liberal Member of Parliament from 1974 to 1984 and has been a Senator since 1997.
