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ROLE OF AN INDEPENDENT SENATOR IN

A MODERN SENATE

LEGISLATIVE ROLE OF INDEPENDENT SENATORS
 

  • Creating a record for judicial use in interpretation of legislation

  • Suggest improvements by way of amendments

  • Scrutinize legislation

  • Conduct research and compile evidence

  • Interpret evidence

  • Apply experience & knowledge to the evidence

  • Debate bills

  • Make amendments

  • Vote


 

INVESTIGATIVE ROLE OF INDEPENDENT SENATORS

  • Committee studies initiated by senators

  • Matters that matter

  • Choose topic of special studies

  • Inquire into topic

  • Conduct in-depth research

  • Analyze evidence & patterns

  • Apply experience & knowledge to the evidence

  • Determine action oriented recommendations

     

REGIONAL REPRESENTATION ROLE OF INDEPENDENT SENATORS
 

  • Advocate regional perspective in all legislative, investigative and other roles

  • Represent citizens from home region

  • Participate in various events in home region

  • Inform citizens in home region of Senate activities


 

PROTECTING MINORITIES ROLE OF INDEPENDENT SENATORS

  • Actions

  • Initiate inquiries to highlight issues

  • Advocate minority perspectives in all legislative, investigative and other roles

  • Note: minorities include Charter and human rights categories, as well as rural communities
     

 

PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY ROLE OF INDEPENDENT SENATORS

  • Inter-parliamentary Associations (JIC)

  • Advocacy in Canada and abroad on behalf of citizens or others from home region

  • Get elected on executive of associations

  • Volunteer to be a delegate on JIC missions

  • Act on behalf of citizens and others from home region

 

 

ADVOCACY FOR PUBLIC CAUSES ROLE OF INDEPENDENT SENATORS

  • Promotion and defense of causes that contribute to the public good and civil society

  • Actions

  • Promote and defend public causes that contribute to civil society

  • Participate in various events to augment profile of a public cause

  • Publish articles, convene panel discussions and otherwise engage in efforts to raise awareness

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