How the Canadian Senate Works
Canada's Parliament has two chambers: the elected House of Commons and the appointed Senate. The Senate is often called the chamber of “sober second thought” — it reviews legislation, proposes amendments, and represents regional interests. Here's how it works.
What the Senate Does
The Senate has three main functions:
- Reviewing legislation — Every bill passed by the House of Commons must also pass the Senate before becoming law. Senators review bills, hold committee hearings, hear from witnesses, and propose amendments.
- Conducting studies — Senate committees conduct in-depth studies on policy issues, often with more time and depth than the House. Senate reports on topics like cannabis legalization, cybersecurity, and Indigenous rights have shaped national policy.
- Representing regions — Senators are appointed to represent provinces and regions, providing a regional voice that complements the population-based representation of the House.
How Senators Are Appointed
Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. To be eligible, a person must be:
- A Canadian citizen
- At least 30 years old
- A resident of the province they represent
- Owner of at least $4,000 in property in that province (a historical requirement from 1867)
Since 2016, an Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments recommends candidates through a merit-based, non-partisan process. The PM still makes the final selection, but the advisory process has changed the Senate's composition significantly — most recent appointees sit as independents rather than as party members.
How bills become law
The full legislative process from introduction to Royal Assent
How Parliament works
The broader picture — House, Senate, committees, and more
Senate Seat Distribution
The 105 Senate seats are divided by region, not by population:
| Region | Seats |
|---|---|
| Ontario | 24 |
| Quebec | 24 |
| Nova Scotia | 10 |
| New Brunswick | 10 |
| Prince Edward Island | 4 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 6 |
| Manitoba | 6 |
| Saskatchewan | 6 |
| Alberta | 6 |
| British Columbia | 6 |
| Yukon | 1 |
| Northwest Territories | 1 |
| Nunavut | 1 |
This means that Alberta (population 4.6 million) has the same number of senators as New Brunswick (population 800,000). This regional balance is intentional — the Senate was designed to protect smaller provinces from being dominated by Ontario and Quebec in the House.
The Senate and Lobbying
Senators are designated public office holders under the Lobbying Act, which means lobbyists must register communications with them just as they do with MPs. Senate committees are also a lobbying channel — when a bill is under study, organizations work to appear as witnesses or submit briefs. Because the Senate has fewer members and less public attention, lobbying can have outsized influence at this stage.
What does an MP do?
How the elected side of Parliament works day to day
Levels of government
Federal, provincial, and municipal — who does what in Canada
Frequently Asked Questions
How many senators are there?
The Senate has 105 seats. Seats are distributed by region: 24 each for Ontario, Quebec, the Maritimes (10 NB, 10 NS, 4 PEI), and Western Canada (6 each for MB, SK, AB, BC), plus 6 for Newfoundland and Labrador, and 1 each for Yukon, NWT, and Nunavut.
Can the Senate block a bill passed by the House of Commons?
Yes. Both the House and Senate must pass a bill for it to become law. The Senate can amend bills and send them back, or refuse to pass them. In practice, the Senate rarely blocks House-passed bills outright, but it uses its amendment power regularly.
Are senators elected?
No. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. Since 2016, an Independent Advisory Board recommends candidates through a merit-based process, but the PM makes the final choice. Alberta has held non-binding "Senate nominee" elections.
How long do senators serve?
Senators serve until age 75 (changed from life tenure in 1965). They can also resign voluntarily or be removed for certain causes like prolonged absence or criminal conviction.
What is the difference between the Senate and House of Commons?
The House of Commons has 343 elected MPs who represent ridings. The Senate has 105 appointed senators who represent regions. The House is where government is formed and most legislation originates. The Senate reviews and can amend legislation, providing what is often called "sober second thought."