S-4
First Session, Thirty-ninth Parliament,
55 Elizabeth II, 2006
SENATE OF CANADA
BILL S-4
An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Senate tenure)
first reading, May 30, 2006
THE LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE SENATE
90373
SUMMARY
This enactment changes the tenure of members of the Senate.
Also available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address:http://www.parl.gc.ca
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1st Session, 39th Parliament,
55 Elizabeth II, 2006
senate of canada
BILL S-4
An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Senate tenure)
Preamble
WHEREAS it is important that Canada’s representative institutions, including the Senate, continue to evolve in accordance with the principles of modern democracy and the expectations of Canadians;
WHEREAS the Government of Canada has undertaken to explore means to enable the Senate better to reflect the democratic values of Canadians and respond to the needs of Canada’s regions;
WHEREAS the tenure of senators should be consistent with the principles of modern democracy;
WHEREAS the Parliament of Canada enacted the Constitution Act, 1965, reducing the tenure of senators from life to the attainment of seventy-five years of age;
WHEREAS, by virtue of section 44 of the Constitution Act, 1982, Parliament may make laws to amend the Constitution of Canada in relation to the Senate;
AND WHEREAS Parliament wishes to maintain the essential characteristics of the Senate within Canada’s parliamentary democracy as a chamber of independent, sober second thought;
30-31 Vict., c. 3 (U.K.); 1982, c. 11 (U.K.)
NOW, THEREFORE, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
Short title
1. This Act may be cited as the Constitution Act, 2006 (Senate tenure).
1965, c. 4, s. 1
2. Section 29 of the Constitution Act, 1867 is replaced by the following:
Explanatory NotesConstitution Act, 1867
Clause 2: Existing text of section 29:
29. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a Senator shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, hold his place in the Senate for life.
(2) A Senator who is summoned to the Senate after the coming into force of this subsection shall, subject to this Act, hold his place in the Senate until he attains the age of seventy-five years.
Notes explicativesLoi constitutionnelle de 1867
Article 2 : Texte de l’article 29 :
29. (1) Sous réserve du paragraphe (2), un sénateur occupe sa place au Sénat sa vie durant, sauf les dispositions de la présente loi.
(2) Un sénateur qui est nommé au Sénat après l’entrée en vigueur du présent paragraphe occupe sa place au Sénat, sous réserve de la présente loi, jusqu’à ce qu’il atteigne l’âge de soixante-quinze ans.
Senators’ tenure
29. (1) Subject to sections 30 and 31, a Senator shall hold a place in the Senate for a term of eight years.
Transitional
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) but subject to sections 30 and 31, a person holding a place in the Senate on the coming into force of the Constitution Act, 2006 (Senate tenure) continues to hold a place in that House until attaining the age of seventy-five years.
Interpretation
3. A reference to the Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982 is deemed to include a reference to this Act.
Published under authority of the Senate of CanadaAvailable from:Publishing and Depository ServicesPublic Works and Government Services Canada