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A "radical" approach to Senate reform in Canada /

16 Jul 2012

In the case cially in the form in which it evolved as a of the well known “Triple E” proposals result of reforms instituted throughout of Alberta, the practical effectiveness of the twentieth century) offers an institu- the institution also has been a goal, par- tional example that could be a much ticularly in terms of its ability to chal- more effective model for reform of the lenge the legislati [...] Furthermore, once the lower house became instru- bers of the Executive Council) and as a “check” upon the mental to the process of governance and the legitimization more popular proclivities of the lower legislative body.6 of the state, the upper house risked undermining its pur- Appointments to the Legislative Councils of both of the pose and legitimacy. [...] The predecessor of the first legislative upper political and policy interests of the respective subunit gov- house, the House of Lords, was the council of leadingmem- ernments—indeed, the United States Senate originally had bers of nobility who advised the medieval English king. [...] That role began to diminish during the latter part of has involved the nature of its “representation.” the nineteenth century24 and, eventually, it disappeared As the parliamentary lower house increasingly became during the twentieth century, especially in the wake of eco- associated with representation of the broad social commu- nomic shifts, the introduction of the suspensive veto, the nity (wit [...] Any amendments that are certified by the Speaker of the House of Commons and verified by the Given the considerations that have been addressed so far, it Governor General to have been made by the Senate dur- is appropriate to offer a formal proposal for the sorts of con- ing this 40-day period and accepted by the House of stitutional changes for Senate reform within the Constitu- Commons shall be
government politics democracy canada constitutional law law legislative bodies political system election electoral system parliament political process constitutional amendment western provinces royal assent house of commons of canada westminster maritime provinces senate of canada house of lords parliament of the united kingdom charlottetown accord upper house (parliament) override suspensive veto federal system money bill

Authors

McHugh, James T

Pages
20
Published in
Washington, D.C

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