The Senate and the People of Canada

The Senate and the People of Canada PDF Author: James T. McHugh
Publisher: Lexington Books
ISBN: 149854794X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 315

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Book Description
The Senate of Canada is the upper house of its parliamentary system. It is an appointed legislative chamber that has been frequently derided for its apparent lack of effective activity, its failure to represent Canada’s federal system, and the perceived lack of accountability among its members. Reform of the Senate persists as one of the most contentious issues in the country. Typical reform proposals begin with the assumption that it must become an elected body that primarily represents Canada’s provinces and can serve as an effective check on the federal government and the House of Commons. This book challenges those assumptions through a thorough analysis that places the Senate within the context of other parliamentary upper houses. It presents a hypothetical constitutional amendment and a proposal for non-constitutional reform that are based upon alternative models derived from that broader context. The book ultimately recommends a Senate that remains unelected but with a more expansive appointment process that more appropriately reflects the optimal role of a parliamentary upper house as well as the diversity, regional aspirations, and political principles of Canadian democracy.

The Senate and the People of Canada

The Senate and the People of Canada PDF Author: James T. McHugh
Publisher: Lexington Books
ISBN: 149854794X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 315

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Senate of Canada is the upper house of its parliamentary system. It is an appointed legislative chamber that has been frequently derided for its apparent lack of effective activity, its failure to represent Canada’s federal system, and the perceived lack of accountability among its members. Reform of the Senate persists as one of the most contentious issues in the country. Typical reform proposals begin with the assumption that it must become an elected body that primarily represents Canada’s provinces and can serve as an effective check on the federal government and the House of Commons. This book challenges those assumptions through a thorough analysis that places the Senate within the context of other parliamentary upper houses. It presents a hypothetical constitutional amendment and a proposal for non-constitutional reform that are based upon alternative models derived from that broader context. The book ultimately recommends a Senate that remains unelected but with a more expansive appointment process that more appropriately reflects the optimal role of a parliamentary upper house as well as the diversity, regional aspirations, and political principles of Canadian democracy.

House of Commons Procedure and Practice

House of Commons Procedure and Practice PDF Author: Canada. Parliament. House of Commons
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 1216

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Book Description
This reference book is primarily a procedural work which examines the many forms, customs, and practices which have been developed and established for the House of Commons since Confederation in 1867. It provides a distinctive Canadian perspective in describing procedure in the House up to the end of the first session of the 36th Parliament in Sept. 1999. The material is presented with full commentary on the historical circumstances which have shaped the current approach to parliamentary business. Key Speaker's rulings and statements are also documented and the considerable body of practice, interpretation, and precedents unique to the Canadian House of Commons is amply illustrated. Chapters of the book cover the following: parliamentary institutions; parliaments and ministries; privileges and immunities; the House and its Members; parliamentary procedure; the physical & administrative setting; the Speaker & other presiding officers; the parliamentary cycle; sittings of the House; the daily program; oral & written questions; the process of debate; rules of order & decorum; the curtailment of debate; special debates; the legislative process; delegated legislation; financial procedures; committees of the whole House; committees; private Members' business; public petitions; private bills practice; and the parliamentary record. Includes index.

Reflecting on Our Past and Embracing Our Future

Reflecting on Our Past and Embracing Our Future PDF Author: Serge Joyal
Publisher: McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP
ISBN: 0773556117
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 561

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Book Description
Since 1967, the centennial of Confederation, numerous political crises, economic challenges, and international events have helped to transform Canadian society, and will continue to shape its future. Taking these various challenges and opportunities of the past into account, how does the future look for Canada? In Reflecting on Our Past and Embracing Our Future diplomats, politicians, scientists, and human rights leaders including Phil Fontaine, Michaëlle Jean, Ellen Gabriel, Paul Heinbecker, Bob Rae, Jean Charest, and David Suzuki have come together to share their wisdom and experience of events that have marked the country over the last fifty years. Reflecting on the role of the Senate in Canada as complementary to the House of Commons, they consider central issues such as the condition of indigenous peoples, the obligations of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the recognition of two official languages, and the national unity referendums. Contributors also discuss the transformation of the economy in a globalized and digital world, the role of Canada on the world stage at a time of growing tension and an increasing flow of refugees, climate change and the uncertain future of the Arctic, scientific and cultural competitions on the international market, and the future of parliamentary democracy. Correcting misconceptions about the contemporary role of the Senate, and providing a counterargument for radical Senate reform, Reflecting on Our Past and Embracing Our Future offers rich perspectives and fascinating insights about Canada's likely development in the coming years.

A People’s Senate for Canada

A People’s Senate for Canada PDF Author: Helen Forsey
Publisher: Fernwood Publishing
ISBN: 1552667596
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 204

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Book Description
This little book is written for Canadians who care about our democracy and the future of our planet. The Senate, surprisingly, could make major contributions to both. A People’s Senate for Canada explains how we can make that happen. What if we had a Senate that was independent of party politics, truly committed to “sober second thought” and dedicated to the common good? What if Senate appointments focused on experience, integrity and creativity, and flowed from a non-partisan participatory process based on merit and reflective of our country’s diversity? What if senators were able to fully devote themselves to their proper legislative and investigative work, cooperating wherever possible, free of party control and electoral worries, and financially accountable to the Auditor General? As Helen Forsey demonstrates, such a People’s Senate would not require risky and questionable constitutional amendments: the needed changes could be made within the present framework. In fact, some hopeful initiatives are already under way. A People’s Senate for Canada combines grassroots experience, thorough research and critical commentary to create a people’s resource for positive change. This book offers a rationale, an analysis and a feasible proposal for an upper house that would restore citizen participation and help check government power. It is an antidote to cynicism and a prescription for a truly honourable Senate, one that would make us proud.

How Canadians Govern Themselves

How Canadians Govern Themselves PDF Author: Eugene Alfred Forsey
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780660044880
Category : Cabinet system
Languages : en
Pages : 52

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Book Description
Explores Canada's parliamentary system, from the decisions made by the Fathers of Confederation, to the daily work of parliamentarians in the Senate and House of Commons. Useful information on Canada's constitution, the judicial system, and provincial and municipal powers is also gathered together in this one reference book.

Protecting Canadian Democracy

Protecting Canadian Democracy PDF Author: Canadian Centre for Management Development
Publisher: McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP
ISBN: 0773525939
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 401

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Book Description
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. 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.

A History of the Vote in Canada

A History of the Vote in Canada PDF Author: Elections Canada
Publisher: Chief Electoral Officer of Canada
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 172

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Book Description
Cet ouvrage couvre la période qui va de 1758 à nos jours.

Flight and Freedom

Flight and Freedom PDF Author: Ratna Omidvar and Dana Wagner
Publisher: Between the Lines
ISBN: 1771132302
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 179

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Book Description


Our Country, Our Parliament

Our Country, Our Parliament PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780660369686
Category : Canada
Languages : en
Pages : 51

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Book Description


From Treaty Peoples to Treaty Nation

From Treaty Peoples to Treaty Nation PDF Author: Greg Poelzer
Publisher: UBC Press
ISBN: 0774827564
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 367

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Book Description
Canada is a country founded on relationships and agreements between Indigenous peoples and newcomers. Although recent court cases have upheld Aboriginal title rights, the cooperative spirit of the treaties is being lost as Canadians engage in endless arguments about First Nations “issues.” Each new court decision adds fuel to the debate raging between those who want to see an end to special Aboriginal rights and those who demand a return to Aboriginal sovereignty. Greg Poelzer and Ken Coates breathe new life into these debates by looking at approaches that have failed and succeeded in the past and offering all Canadians – from policy makers to concerned citizens – realistic steps forward. Rather than getting bogged down in debates on Aboriginal rights, they highlight Aboriginal success stories and redirect the conversation to a place of common ground. Upholding equality of economic opportunity as a guiding principle, they argue that the road ahead is clear: if all Canadians take up their responsibilities as treaty peoples, Canada will become a leader among treaty nations.