Bill S-8

3rd Session, 40th Parliament,

59 Elizabeth II, 2010

senate of canada

BILL S-8

An Act respecting the selection of senators

Whereas in 1987 the First Ministers of Canada agreed, as an interim measure until Senate reform is achieved, that any person summoned to fill a vacancy in the Senate is to be chosen from among persons whose names have been submitted by the government of the province or territory to which the vacancy relates;

Whereas it is appropriate that those whose names are submitted to the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada for summons to the Senate be determined by democratic election by the people of the province or territory that a senator is to represent;

And whereas it is appropriate that a framework be established to provide guidance to provinces and territories for the text of legislation governing such elections;

Now therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

1. This Act may be cited as the Senatorial Selection Act.

2. The framework in the schedule sets out a basis for the selection of Senate nominees.

3. If a province or territory has enacted legislation that is substantially in accordance with the framework set out in the schedule, the Prime Minister, in recommending Senate nominees to the Governor General, must consider names from the most current list of Senate nominees selected for that province or territory.