Could the Senate pose an obstacle if Poilievre becomes PM?
Over two-thirds of the current senators in Canada have been appointed by the Liberal government under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. While technically independent, the ideological neutrality of the Senate is a topic of debate.
If a Conservative government is elected next year, it may face challenges from an antagonistic Senate, according to Ray Pennings, co-founder and executive vice president of the think tank Cardus. Senators now have significant power, with fewer restraints under the changes made by Mr. Trudeau.
There is a possibility that these independent senators may support Conservative legislation without formal political ties, unlike in a partisan Senate where the Liberal majority might block such bills, according to Don Desserud, a political science professor at the University of Prince Edward Island.
If Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre were to be elected, there might be conflicts with the predominantly liberal-minded Senate. However, a protracted constitutional crisis, as predicted by Ray Pennings, where the Senate rejects government legislation, is unlikely.
While the Senate has the authority to amend or veto bills from the House of Commons, senators are generally expected not to exercise their veto power as they are not elected representatives like MPs in the House.
The future dynamics between the “new” Senate and a Poilievre government are uncertain as Canada enters uncharted territory.
Mr. Trudeau revamped the Senate appointment process shortly after his election in 2015, moving away from the tradition of appointing senators from within the governing party’s ranks. Now, an advisory board presents non-partisan candidates for the prime minister to select from.
‘No One to Serve But Their Own Conscience’
Under the previous system, the Senate acted as a partisan check and balance within a larger framework, according to Mr. Pennings. However, with the current setup, each senator operates based on their own conscience without specific party affiliations.
While this autonomy is seen as positive, it can lead to senators blocking legislation that enjoys public support due to personal beliefs, such as in the case of potential conflicts over climate change policies like the carbon tax under a Poilievre government.