Parliament has a critical role to play, and the Senate is well-placed to represent Canada’s regions, diverse communities and stakeholders in the important discussions to come.
Under the previous model, Senators affiliated with a party were accountable to a leader and a national caucus. Their legislative behaviour was often shaped by party strategy, electoral considerations, and message discipline.
For the Senate to contribute effectively in 2026, Parliament must recognize that the Senate’s independence is essential to effective decision-making and to the strength of Canada’s democratic system.