xcept for the one who appointed them-the Prime Minister. It is because of this reason that they cannot effectively express the views of anyone since their appointment lacks commitment to the people of Canada. However, when Senators criticize and delay the legislative process, they only remind us of how much could be accomplished effectively if only they represented the people who had elected them.Another important function of second chambers in federal systems like Canada's is the representation of the regions on a basis other than representation by population. When different people from different regions wish to achieve a common goal while protecting their respective regionally-based differences against majority rule, a federal system of government is utilized.When this is the case, the Upper House is seen as a political check on the rule of a simple majority. It also reflects the diverse interests of the regions of the federation to the lower chamber.In countries like Canada where there are two distinct linguistic groups geographically concentrated within its borders, protection of the interests of the minority group can be established through specially weighted representation of the political units in the second chamber. It was because of this reason that the French-speaking Fathers of Confederation sought equal representation in the Senate for the three original regions (Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimes).This would balance out the House of Commons where there was no guarantee of proportional francophone representation. As it stands today, the Senate has 104 seats, which are divided into 4 divisions. Ontario, Quebec, the Maritimes and the western provinces each share 24 seats. Newfoundland has 6 seats while the Yukon and Northwest Territories have 1 each. In the case of Quebec, 24 regions were created in order to have a balance of anglophone and francophone representatives. Under the proposed Triple E Senate, ther...
