The Speaker of the Senate of Canada is appointed by the Governor General of Canada on the advice of the Prime Minister. The appointment is usually for the length of one parliament, which can last up to five years.
The Speaker presides over the business of the Senate, assisted by the Clerk and other table officers.
Maintaining Order in the Senate
The main responsibility of the Speaker of the Senate in Canada is to maintain order and decorum in the Senate Chamber. The Speaker chairs the sittings of the Senate, presides over votes in the Senate, and rules on points of order and questions of privilege raised by senators. The Speaker guides the Senate through its agenda and ensures that senators follow the rules of the Senate. In the case of serious disorder, the Speaker can suspend the sitting of the Senate for up to three hours.
The Speaker of the Senate must be impartial, but at the same time must be sensitive to the mood of the Senate, as rulings by the Speaker of the Senate can be challenged and put to a vote.
The Speaker is assisted by Senate clerks, who give advice on the rules of the Senate. The Senate clerks sit at the table in front of the Speaker's chair in the centre aisle of the Senate chamber.
Diplomacy Role of Speaker of the Senate
Fourth in the official order of precedence for Canada, after the Governor General, the Prime Minister, and the Chief Justice of Canada, the Speaker of the Senate is involved in state visits, and often receives visiting Heads of State and Heads of Governments and their delegations in the Speaker's chambers. The Speaker of the Senate also travels on behalf of the Parliament of Canada and represents the Senate on interparliamentary organizations.
Role of Speaker as a Senator
The Speaker of the Senate maintains responsibilities to his or her constituents as a senator. Like other senators, the Speaker of the Senate represents a province in Canada, and makes representations at regional caucus meetings and to Cabinet Ministers and the Prime Minister on behalf of his or her constituents.
