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Advantages And Disadvantages Of Senate In Canada

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Advantages And Disadvantages Of Senate In Canada
The Senate Debate

Stephany Shenouda
130604690
PO110- Tutorial 5
Word Count: 1159 July 1st 1867 marks the date that Canada confederated into a nation dedicated to promote democracy. Canada would be governed by a Parliamentary system consisting of an upper and lower chamber of legislation. The House of Commons, being the lower chamber is made up of elected representatives from across the country, democratically voting upon bills. The upper chamber, the Senate is made up of 105 individuals specifically appointed by the Governor General to represent certain geographical areas across the country. The Senate is primarily responsible for providing a “sober second thought” …show more content…
Nonetheless, minor reforms are indeed needed. To begin the Senates books may be opened to allow the public to access of the Auditor General. In doing so, the public will be assured that their tax money is being spent efficiently and properly. In addition to allowing spending to become transparent, the appointment process may also be opened up more to the public so they are not surprised by their representative and understand the Governor Generals …show more content…
However, the need for the Senate is still prominent, as they are needed to ensure the soundness of bills being passed. It is for this reason that minor and modest changes should be made over time to regulate its transparency and openness to the public when it comes to spending and appointing Senators. Although these changes are minor, it will allow for the Senate to remain the same role in the Canadian system as it has, while satisfying the public with insight regarding their decisions.

Work Cited

"Abolish The Senate: A Sober Second Look at Canadian Democracy." Abolish The Senate RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. .
"Housekeeping." Senate Reform or Abolish. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. .
MacKinnon, Leslie. "Preston Manning: Renovate the Senate or tear it down." CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 22 Jan. 2014. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. .
"Preston Manning wants Canadians to vote on Senate 's future." Toronto Sun. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. .
"Should Canada Elect, Abolish or Reform the Senate? | Omar Alghabra." The Huffington Post. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2014. .
"Tory Senate overturns opposition bill for first time on climate change Add to ...." The Globe and Mail. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2014.
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