We believe that there are some ways to improve the Senate of Canada. While many people believe that the Senate should be abolished, there are some alternative ideas to strengthen and improve our Senate.
1. Less Senators
When Canada became a country, we only had 72 senators. That is 33 less then what we have today. We believe that if the Constitution were to be changed, so that we only have one representative for each province and territory, then not only would the money of taxpayers be used elsewhere, but there would also be less conflict. Having only 13 Senators would greatly decrease the annual cost, and would be more efficient when deciding what should be a law. This would create equality, as well, considering the fact that this way, there would only be one representative per province or territory, and so the territories will smaller populations would be equal to the provinces with larger populations. The number of Senators has already been changed in the Constitution, because we went from 72 to 105. So, that means that the number can be changed again. We are sure that this will work when making large decisions, because we can acknowledge the success of the Supreme Court of Canada. They make the most important decisions, and they only have 9 people. This gives us hope that with 13 people, the Senate can maintain order and do great things.
2. Promoting Canada
While the major part of a Senator's job is passing, amending and abolishing bills, Senators must also promote Canada. We propose that rather than both the Senate and House of Commons passing bills, the Senate's only job would become promoting Canada. They can find ways to show Canada's best features. This way, more bills would become laws, and the process would become faster, and would get more things done. However, in order for this to happen, the House of Commons would have to take even more precautions when reviewing bills, and to thoroughly examine, edit and approve the bills. We would request that the House of Commons would review the bills more often then before, so that there would be more consideration. Also, we would ask that the Speaker of the House would not be a part of a specific party. He or she would be a neutral person, who could see both sides of the bill, and could make the final decision before the bill is passed on to the Governor General. This way, there is more focus on bills, combining the duties of the House of Commons and the Senate. Also, the Senate could focus on more ways to promote Canada. They could show outsiders all of the benefits that Canada has. Canada and its citizens would benefit from this.
3. Electing Senators
Rather than the Governor General and Prime Minister choosing our senators, we should elect them as citizens. This way, they would be more equal to the House of Commons, but still maintain their status. We would then be able to choose our officials, and the ones who determine our laws. However, in a way, this would become too much like the House of Commons. So, we propose that when the Senators run for the Senate, they do not advertise which political party they are a member of. Instead, they would be chosen for their ideas and what they stand for as an individual. The Senate is supposed to represent Canada as a whole, not the Conservatives, Liberals or NDP supporters. As a group, they must decide what is best for Canada and how it will benefit all of its citizens. We believe that the Senators should act as if they are neutral, that they have no preference. They must determine what they think Canada should be or become, and must work together to create that vision. That being said, the citizens' voices must be shown in the Senate. That is why we believe that it is best for Canadians to elect their Senators, not thinking about what party they belong in, but about their own personal ideas.
1. Less Senators
When Canada became a country, we only had 72 senators. That is 33 less then what we have today. We believe that if the Constitution were to be changed, so that we only have one representative for each province and territory, then not only would the money of taxpayers be used elsewhere, but there would also be less conflict. Having only 13 Senators would greatly decrease the annual cost, and would be more efficient when deciding what should be a law. This would create equality, as well, considering the fact that this way, there would only be one representative per province or territory, and so the territories will smaller populations would be equal to the provinces with larger populations. The number of Senators has already been changed in the Constitution, because we went from 72 to 105. So, that means that the number can be changed again. We are sure that this will work when making large decisions, because we can acknowledge the success of the Supreme Court of Canada. They make the most important decisions, and they only have 9 people. This gives us hope that with 13 people, the Senate can maintain order and do great things.
2. Promoting Canada
While the major part of a Senator's job is passing, amending and abolishing bills, Senators must also promote Canada. We propose that rather than both the Senate and House of Commons passing bills, the Senate's only job would become promoting Canada. They can find ways to show Canada's best features. This way, more bills would become laws, and the process would become faster, and would get more things done. However, in order for this to happen, the House of Commons would have to take even more precautions when reviewing bills, and to thoroughly examine, edit and approve the bills. We would request that the House of Commons would review the bills more often then before, so that there would be more consideration. Also, we would ask that the Speaker of the House would not be a part of a specific party. He or she would be a neutral person, who could see both sides of the bill, and could make the final decision before the bill is passed on to the Governor General. This way, there is more focus on bills, combining the duties of the House of Commons and the Senate. Also, the Senate could focus on more ways to promote Canada. They could show outsiders all of the benefits that Canada has. Canada and its citizens would benefit from this.
3. Electing Senators
Rather than the Governor General and Prime Minister choosing our senators, we should elect them as citizens. This way, they would be more equal to the House of Commons, but still maintain their status. We would then be able to choose our officials, and the ones who determine our laws. However, in a way, this would become too much like the House of Commons. So, we propose that when the Senators run for the Senate, they do not advertise which political party they are a member of. Instead, they would be chosen for their ideas and what they stand for as an individual. The Senate is supposed to represent Canada as a whole, not the Conservatives, Liberals or NDP supporters. As a group, they must decide what is best for Canada and how it will benefit all of its citizens. We believe that the Senators should act as if they are neutral, that they have no preference. They must determine what they think Canada should be or become, and must work together to create that vision. That being said, the citizens' voices must be shown in the Senate. That is why we believe that it is best for Canadians to elect their Senators, not thinking about what party they belong in, but about their own personal ideas.