The Structure of the Senate

• Author: Gary William O'Brien
• Pages: 51-62

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The Structure of the Senate

So far, we have focused on what the Senate is and what the Senate

does. We will now examine how it carries out its work. is chapter

will cover () the provisions regarding geographical representation;

() the rules relating to membership and remuneration; () how

proceedings in the chamber are conducted; () the work of its com-

mittees; and () the basic elements of the Senate’s parliamentary

procedure.

Geographical Representation

Originally, the Senate was composed of seventy-two members

with twenty-four members from three divisions — Ontario, Que-

bec, and the Maritimes. e original agreement stated that Nova

Scotia would have ten senators, New Brunswick ten, and Prince

Edward Island four. When PEI refused to join the new federation,

the twenty-four Maritime members were divided equally between

New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. When Prince Edward Island

entered Confederation in , it did so on the original terms and

conditions. In accordance with the Constitution Act, , Senate

representation of the Maritime provinces was to be readjusted as

vacancies occurred.