Canadian House of Commons vs. Canadian Senate

Attribute	Canadian House of Commons	Canadian Senate
Number of Members	338	105
Selection Process	Elected by Canadian citizens	Appointed by the Governor General on advice of the Prime Minister
Term Length	Up to 5 years	Until the age of 75
Role	Primary legislative body	Review and propose amendments to legislation

Composition

The Canadian House of Commons is made up of Members of Parliament (MPs) who are elected by Canadian citizens during federal elections. There are 338 seats in the House of Commons, with each seat representing a specific electoral district. MPs are responsible for representing the interests of their constituents and participating in the legislative process.

On the other hand, the Canadian Senate is composed of Senators who are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. There are 105 seats in the Senate, with Senators representing different regions of Canada. Senators are appointed to represent the interests of their regions and provide sober second thought on legislation passed by the House of Commons.

Role and Function

The House of Commons is the primary legislative body in Canada, responsible for introducing, debating, and passing laws. It is also where the government is formed, with the leader of the party that wins the most seats in the House becoming the Prime Minister. The House of Commons holds the government accountable through question periods and debates.

Conversely, the Senate plays a complementary role to the House of Commons. It reviews legislation passed by the House, provides input and amendments, and ensures that proposed laws are thoroughly examined. The Senate also represents regional interests and minority viewpoints that may not be adequately represented in the House of Commons.

Term Length and Stability

Members of the House of Commons serve for a maximum of four years, after which a federal election is held to elect a new Parliament. This fixed term length provides stability and predictability in the legislative process, as Canadians know when they will have the opportunity to vote for their representatives again.

Senators, on the other hand, are appointed until the age of 75, providing them with more stability and independence from electoral cycles. This lifetime appointment can be seen as both a strength and a weakness, as it allows Senators to focus on long-term issues but also raises concerns about accountability to the electorate.

Representation and Diversity

The House of Commons is designed to be representative of the Canadian population, with MPs elected from diverse backgrounds, regions, and political parties. The electoral system used in federal elections aims to ensure that different voices are heard and that various perspectives are considered in the legislative process.

In contrast, the Senate is often criticized for lacking diversity and not being fully representative of Canadian society. Appointments to the Senate are made by the Prime Minister, leading to concerns about patronage and political influence in the selection of Senators. Efforts have been made in recent years to make Senate appointments more transparent and merit-based.

Decision-Making Process

In the House of Commons, decisions are made through a majority vote, with the party that holds the most seats typically having the power to pass legislation. This can lead to a more partisan and adversarial atmosphere, as parties compete for control and influence over the legislative agenda.

On the other hand, the Senate operates on a less partisan basis, with Senators often making decisions based on their own judgment and expertise rather than strict party lines. This can result in more thoughtful and thorough consideration of legislation, as Senators are not bound by party discipline in the same way as MPs.