Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Government

Senate of Canada

The Senate of Canada is the appointed upper chamber of Canada's Parliament and part of the country's bicameral legislative system.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

The Senate of Canada is the appointed upper chamber of Parliament, designed to review and refine legislation while representing regional and minority interests.

What it is

The Senate is one of three parts of Parliament, with the Crown and the House of Commons. Its 105 members — called senators — are appointed, not elected, and typically serve until age 75. The Senate was established in 1867 as a check on the elected House of Commons.

What it does

Senators debate and amend bills, study national issues through committees, and can delay or reject legislation. They can also introduce some bills — except for money bills, which must start in the House of Commons. This review process aims to improve legislation before it becomes law.

Why it matters to Canadians

The Senate provides a regional counterbalance to representation-by-population in the Commons. It also serves as a forum for underrepresented groups and minority voices, and its work on federal laws affects all Canadians before Royal Assent.

In short

  • The Senate is the appointed upper house of Canada's Parliament.
  • It has 105 members who serve until age 75.
  • Senators review, amend, or reject legislation, and study national issues.
  • The Senate was designed to balance regional representation in the federal system.
Canadian angle

The Senate is a core institution of Canadian federal democracy and is especially relevant to Canadian readers because it reviews federal laws, represents regional interests, and can affect legislation before Royal Assent.

Quick questions

How are Canadian senators appointed?
Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the prime minister. They are not elected.
What is the difference between the Senate and the House of Commons?
The House of Commons is elected; the Senate is appointed. Money bills must start in the Commons, while the Senate reviews and amends legislation.
Who is the current Speaker of the Senate?
The current Speaker is not specified in the provided facts.

Sources

  1. Senate of Canada — https://sencanada.ca/en/about/
    Supports: Upper house status, 105 senators, legislative review, regional and underrepresented-group representation
  2. Government of Canada — https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/independent-advisory-board-for-senate-appointments/about-the-senate.html
    Supports: Senate role, appointed membership, 105 members, regional and minority representation, committee work
  3. Parliament of Canada — https://learn.parl.ca/understanding-comprendre/en/how-parliament-works/the-role-of-the-senate/
    Supports: Bicameral Parliament, Senate functions, appointment, retirement at 75, differences from House of Commons
  4. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/senate
    Supports: Upper house, 105 members, appointment, retirement age, powers and limits
  5. CTV News — https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/canadas-senate-how-does-it-work/
    Supports: Seat distribution by province and territory and current vacancy context