The aim of this paper is to recall the reasons why the Senate has always been at the center of Canadian political and institutional debate. Since its composition and functioning do not appear capable of representing and protecting the interests of the provinces, the appointment of its members has long responded to political needs and the role it plays in the system cannot be traced back to that played from the other upper houses in federal-type systems, there have been numerous reform proposals to which it has been the subject. These projects sought to strengthen its democratic legitimacy, to transform it into a representative assembly of the territories and to redefine its legislative powers. However, all the reform attempts have never resulted in a constitutional revision, but the solution adopted since 2016 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau through the introduction of a non-partisan selection of senatorial candidacies seems to be contributing to making the Upper House more politically independent.
Il Senato è da sempre al centro del dibattito politico e istituzionale canadese in quanto la sua composizione e il suo funzionamento non appaiono in grado di rappresentare e proteggere gli interessi delle province, la nomina dei suoi componenti ha risposto a lungo a esigenze di tipo politico e il ruolo che svolge nel sistema non è riconducibile a quello rivestito dalle altre camere alte negli ordinamenti di tipo federale. Così, numerose sono state le proposte di riforma finalizzate a rafforzare la sua legittimazione democratica, a trasformarlo in una camera chiamata a rappresentare i territori e a ridurre i suoi poteri legislativi a vantaggio della Camera dei Comuni. Tutti i tentativi di riforma non sono tuttavia mai sfociati in una revisione costituzionale, ma la soluzione adottata fin dal 2016 dal premier Justin Trudeau attraverso l’introduzione di una non-partisan selection delle candidature senatoriali pare stia contribuendo a rendere politicamente più indipendente l’Upper House.
Il Senato canadese tra una riforma impossibile e uno status quo problematico
Rino Casella
2024-01-01
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to recall the reasons why the Senate has always been at the center of Canadian political and institutional debate. Since its composition and functioning do not appear capable of representing and protecting the interests of the provinces, the appointment of its members has long responded to political needs and the role it plays in the system cannot be traced back to that played from the other upper houses in federal-type systems, there have been numerous reform proposals to which it has been the subject. These projects sought to strengthen its democratic legitimacy, to transform it into a representative assembly of the territories and to redefine its legislative powers. However, all the reform attempts have never resulted in a constitutional revision, but the solution adopted since 2016 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau through the introduction of a non-partisan selection of senatorial candidacies seems to be contributing to making the Upper House more politically independent.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
