The upper house of the Parliament of Canada plays a vital role in the political life of the country. The Senate reads, indeed on occasion amends, legislation enacted by the House of Commons. It originates studies into topics of currency in government and society. Through its focus on the regions of Canada, it balances the “representation by population” characteristic of the lower house. For all these reasons, any study of Canada that omits the Senate is necessarily incomplete. Gary O’Brien is uniquely placed to offer this study. He holds a PhD in political science from Carleton University, where his dissertation focused on the legislative and parliamentary practices of pre-Confederation Canada. As the twelfth clerk of the Senate for the years 2009–2015 and as a continuing Senate scholar, he is familiar with the history of the institution, with its function in Canadian parliamentary and political life, and with its functioning. This book is a reflection of his experience and expertise. 

The Senate of Canada plays a vital role in the political life of the country. Through its focus on the regions of Canada, it balances the “representation by population” characteristic of the lower house. For all these reasons, any study of Canada that omits the Senate is necessarily incomplete. Gary O’Brien is uniquely placed to offer this study.Foreword Chapter One: What Is the Senate? Chapter Two: Second Chambers—Theories and Structures Chapter Three: The Vision of the Fathers Chapter Four: The Roles of the Senate in Historical Perspective Chapter Five: The Structure of the Senate Chapter Six: The Senate at Work: Four Case Studies Chapter Seven: Reviving Canadian Bicameralism: The Non‑partisan, Complementary Senate Chapter Eight: Prospects for Structural Reform Appendix Selected Extracts Relating to the Senate in the Constitution Act, 1867 Notes Bibliography Index About the Author About the EditorCA