Reflections on the opposition in the Senate

A multi-polar Senate can act as an effective check on the legislative agenda of a government that has a majority in the House of Commons. So long as Senators recognize their appointed nature and show due deference when required to the elected Commons.

There exists no 'official' opposition in the Senate. That does not preclude the existence of an opposition to the government within a structured debate. But the concept that the largest grouping of Senators not aligned with the government of the day has special status is an incorrect assumption, writes Christopher Reed. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Opinion

BY CHRISTOPHER REED

February 6, 2017

PARLIAMENT HILL—There exists no “official” opposition in the Senate. That does not preclude the existence of an opposition to the government within a structured debate. But the concept that the largest grouping of Senators not aligned with the government of the day has special status is an inc...

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