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Third Party Advertising Limits and the Freedom of Expression in Elections

The Senate Reference: A map for the future of reform?

A "Big City Charter" for Edmonton and Calgary: Explaining the Role of Municipalities in Canada's Federal Framework

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Recent Events 

Senate Reform in the 21st Century

Jared Wesley, Director, Federal/Provincial Relations
Government of Alberta

Peter Carver, Professor, Constitutional Law
Faculty of Law, University of Alberta

In Bill C-7 the Government of Canada is preparing to create a form of elect Senate. The Government of Quebec has objected to the proposal and to what it views as an improper attempt by the federal government to reform the Senate unilaterally. Both governments have initiated references to their respective courts, asking several questions related to the constitutionality of proposed reforms.

The speakers at the Senate Event addressed the significance of the Government of Canada's proposed Senate reforms in Bill C-7. They also reviewed the reference questions posed to the courts by Quebec and the Government of Canada. They noted that the Government of Canada has asked that its reference questions be expedited by the Supreme Court of Canada, presumably in an attempt to have a decision from that Court issued prior to a decision from the Quebec Court of Appeal. This was an informative session on the contents of the Government of Canada's Bill C-7 and what is at stake for Canadians and their Constitution with the two references and their possible outcomes.

We also have a new article on the Government of Canada's reference questions on the Senate: The Senate Reference - A Map for the Future of Reform?

Click here to watch the webcast