tive review role. As sir John A. MacDonald said, the Senate was to have "the sober second thought in legislation" and should not be "a mere chamber for registering the decrees of the Lower House". They also agreed on a particular qualification of Senators, which was intended to help them act as a check against the majority in the Lower House. This qualification has remained unchanged since 1867, but its practical meaning has long been forgotten.The other major role meant for the Senate was to preserve what MacDonald called "sectional interests". It is believed that this agreement about representation in the Senate was the main factor that allowed the Canadian federation to be formed. The Senate has functioned quite effectively as a house of legislative review up to the present time, but its intended role in regional representation has not been as effectively performed. seventy-five, the Senate's ability to represent the regions of Canada has been weakened. During long appointments, the responsiveness to the views and concerns of the represented is not always guaranteed. There is also no obligation to account to their respective regions and their representation is not put to any public test. Even if Senators did perform an adequate role as representatives, the public might not see this position.The implementation of a Senate which is elected rather than appointment would ensure that representatives were more responsive to the public. It would also give the Senate the authority to exercise the substantial powers given to it by the Canadian Constitution. Any political institution can obtain formal or legal powers, but if the public does not want them to use it, these powers may not be exercised. In addition, most Canadians have reservations aboutappointments to a legislative body for such a long term in this, a more democratic age than when the Senate was established.Senators in our Upper House do not really represent anyone e...
