History of the Senate

The Canadian Senate was established in Canada’s original constitution in 1867 (S.17 of the British North America Act 1867)

-       “One Parliament for Canada consisting of the Queen, an Upper House styled the Senate, and the House of Commons”.

In 1867 the Senate was the most debated and controversial topic. It was so important two provinces originally refused to enter (NWF and PEI).

The Senate was intended to be a check on the House of Commons as well as a chamber of ‘sober second thought’ and a protection for minorities.

Before 1982 one couldn’t unilaterally change nature of Senate.