Fiscal year 2008-09 in the Senate was stitched together out of two separate Parliaments and three different parliamentary sessions. Despite the challenges this presented - Parliament Hill work stopped for a general election and the beginning of a new session - the Senate still managed to tackle many tough issues important to Canadians. Senators' actions impacted and changed the course of our public policy debates.
This report details how they made that impact in - and across - five forums for national and international action to help improve conditions for Canadians.
The Senate plays an important role in Canada's parliamentary system. . . . Anyone who follows parliamentary business in Ottawa at all will know that the Senate has sometimes made important amendments to legislation and that its committees do excellent work.
Pierre Jury, Le Droit, December 16, 2008
1 They developed issues important to Canadians in Senate chamber debate.
Senators used their parliamentary tools of debate - Question Period, statements, substantive motions and inquiries - to build a better picture of Canadians' concerns and priorities, and better policy options. Debate in the Senate chamber keeps issues in the public eye, and the Senate can keep them alive over many consecutive sessions of Parliament because turnover is low.
2 They aimed to improve conditions in senators' public policy bills.
Senators introduced many private senator's bills this year to suggest legislative solutions to problems they perceived. Though bills that start in the Senate can't spend public money or raise or introduce new taxes, senators are adept at finding gaps in our social system that can be filled without increased spending.
3 They examined important issues in depth in committee special studies.
In groups of 5 to 15, senators delved into current issues such as agriculture or official languages. Committees pick topics to explore, and gather information by questioning witnesses, ordering official records to be produced, surveying academic literature and travelling to see the situation in Canadians' communities. The Senate's "special study" reports contribute to policy debates and often influence the government's solutions to public policy challenges.
4 They scrutinized policy in government bills.
Through scrutiny in Senate committees and full debate in the Senate chamber, senators examined bills proposed by the government and suggested improvements when necessary. Senate committees often undertake follow-up study after passing bills. This allows them to make sure that the legislation doesn't have any unintended consequences.
5 They worked outside the Senate to better our country and our world.
Senators worked individually
on issues of their own choosing, often in
response to Canadians in their region. They advocated
for change in the halls of Parliament, spoke at
rallying events, organized town hall meetings and
presented at conferences.
Senators also cooperated with legislators in Canada and abroad to push for improved conditions worldwide. They worked to find solutions to shared problems, both on their own initiative and through interparliamentary groups, friendship groups and international associations.