Alberta's Great Experiment in Senatorial Democracy. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hulme, Kristin
• Is Part Of: American review of Canadian studies. Volume 46:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 33
• Page End: 54
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Canadian politics -- Canadian senate -- Alberta -- Supreme Court of Canada -- senatorial elections; Comparative civilization -- Periodicals; Canada -- Civilization -- Periodicals; Canada -- Periodicals; United States -- Periodicals; 971
• DOI: 10.1080/02722011.2016.1154878
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-2011

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the unelected nature of the Senate is an inherent feature of Canadian parliamentary democracy and is a central pillar of the constitution. Members of the Upper House are appointed by the Governor General, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister. The decision taken by the Prime Minister is not subject to review by Parliament or the provincial legislative assemblies. Patronage appointments have given the Senate a reputation as a dumping ground for political friends and party insiders. In 1989, the province of Alberta enacted the Senatorial Selection Act, arguing that it would serve as a stepping stone for substantive reform to the Senate. The province has held four elections in which the people of the province have chosen senators-in-waiting. This article argues that the Court's opinion in Reference re Senate Reform undermines the foundation upon which the provincial statute rests.