Full house as Model Senate turns five
Post-secondary students filled a record number of seats in the Senate Chamber — 104 to be exact! — during the fifth edition of Model Senate.
Launched in 2020, Model Senate is an annual model parliament held at the Senate of Canada Building in Ottawa and hosted by the Senate Administration. The dynamic, three-day event attracts applicants from communities and schools across the country. It offers participants an opportunity to debate and study bills, and represent Canadians like real senators in the Upper Chamber, as well as receive career advice during networking opportunities.
From May 8 to May 10, participants took part in simulated Senate sittings and committee meetings, building their knowledge of parliamentary procedure and honing their research, analytical and public-speaking skills.
Model Senate’s fifth edition started off with a bang at the Senate Social, a networking event where the Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable Raymonde Gagné, hosted an energized group of attendees, including sitting senators, senators’ staff and senior members of the Senate Administration — like Shaila Anwar, Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments. The soirée offered the youth participants a wonderful opportunity to connect with their peers and to meet people from across the Senate community.
In her opening remarks, Speaker Gagné welcomed the participants to the Senate of Canada Building. She highlighted how symbolic it is for Model Senate to take place in the historic building, formerly Ottawa’s central train station and a hub of exchanges and encounters for more than a century. She described how the railway, by connecting the country’s different regions, paved the way for the Upper Chamber to play its role in defending those regions’ interests in Parliament — both contributing to Canada’s unification as a nation.
She congratulated model senators for bringing their energy and enthusiasm to the Senate and for ensuring, in their own way, that Canada’s diverse regions are represented in Parliament.
“I invite you to express your views and ideas with passion, but with respect for one another. Above all, don’t forget to have fun!” Speaker Gagné said.
On Thursday, May 8, 2025, the Honourable Raymonde Gagné, the 46th Speaker of the Senate, hosted the opening event of Model Senate 2025: the Senate Social. She congratulated the participants for bringing their energy and enthusiasm to the Senate.
Speaker of the Senate Raymonde Gagné, centre right, with seven Model Senate participants from her home province of Manitoba.
Senator Mohammad Al Zaibak, right, with model senator Mojisola Obajuluwa in the foyer of the Senate of Canada Building.
Senator Amina Gerba, centre left, connects with model senators at the Senate Social on May 8, 2025.
Senator Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia socializes with attendees at the opening event for Model Senate 2025.
Senator Tony Ince attends a networking soirée for Model Senate in the foyer of the Senate of Canada Building.
Senator Lucie Moncion engages with post-secondary students attending the fifth edition of Model Senate.
Senator Paulette Senior smiles as she engages with two model senators at the Senate Social.
Senator Marc Gold meets with model senators from across the country at the Senate Social.
Senator Katherine Hay connects with students at the opening event of Model Senate 2025.
The meet-and-greet soirée also featured career booths where model senators could speak with other Senate employees and learn about the Senate Page Program and other student job opportunities at the Upper Chamber.
The next day, model senators then began to shepherd two pretend Senate bills through the legislative process, guided by two students who shared the role of Speaker: Joshua Bisoka and Abby Samuels.
For the second year running, other participants worked in collaboration with the Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel to create those bills that model senators debated in the Chamber and studied in committee.
Bill S-392, introduced by Model Senator Charlie Martin, proposed to implement a national strategy to advance public awareness and education and to counter misinformation and disinformation regarding Canada’s seal populations, seal harvest and seal products.
Joshua Bisokas, left, and Abby Samuels shared the role of model Speaker of the Senate.
Model senators convene in the Senate Chamber for their first sitting on May 9, 2025.
Model senator and bill critic Geneviève Stacey addresses her colleagues in the Chamber on May 10, 2025.
Model senator Aidan Peters rises at his desk in the Senate Chamber.
Model senator and bill critic Ajaswi Raswi addresses her colleagues during a mock Senate sitting.
Model senator Éden-Grace Mulenga speaks in the Senate Chamber.
Senator Peter M. Boehm fields inquiries from model senators during the simulated Question Period in the Senate Chamber on May 9, 2025.
From left, senators’ staff Christopher Reed, Jacqui Delaney, Momar Diagne, John Inca Anderson and Yana Almer share their career journeys and advice during the “Pathways to Parliament” panel.
Bill S-393, co-drafted by Annina Trecroce and Model Senator Émilie Attara, sought to amend the Cannabis Act to provide, among other things, Indigenous governments with the authority to regulate the sale of cannabis in their community.
Model senators put the two bills under a microscope during simulated meetings of the Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, chaired by Model Senator Pasan Keragala, and the Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, chaired by Model Senator Sarah Fontaine-Sinclair.
Senator Marilou McPhedran appeared as an expert witness on Bill S-392, while Senator Brian Francis testified on Bill S-393.
The committees concluded their studies by each drafting a report — with support from Senate committee clerks Melissa Doyle and Caroline Woodward — and presenting those reports in the Red Chamber. Model senators Geneviève Stacey and Ajaswi Regmi served as critics of the bills.
Participants also simulated key elements of typical Senate sittings, including the opening procession and senators’ statements. During question period, Senator Peter M. Boehm fielded model senators’ inquiries and provided answers on behalf of the federal government.
Senator Marilou McPhedran testifies as an expert witness before the simulated Committee on Fisheries and Oceans at Model Senate 2025.
Model senator Pasan Keragala, chair of the simulated Committee on Fisheries and Oceans at Model Senate 2025, consults the text of the mock bill that was studied by the committee.
Model senators study and debate a mock bill during a simulated meeting of the Committee on Fisheries and Oceans at Model Senate 2025.
Shaila Anwar, Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments, greets model senators during the Clerk’s Luncheon at Model Senate 2025.
In the Senate Chamber, Senator Marc Gold takes questions from model senators about his role and responsibilities as Government Representative in the Senate.
Senator Brian Francis testifies before a simulated meeting of the Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples.
Model senator Sarah Fontaine-Sinclair, left, chairs a simulation of the Committee on Indigenous Peoples with support from Procedural Clerk Melissa Doyle.
Over the course of the weekend, participants got to hear directly from more senators and Senate employees. On May 9, Ms. Anwar delivered a lunchtime speech to model senators and Senator Marc Gold presented on his role and experience as Government Representative in the Senate before partaking in a question-and-answer period.
On the final day of Model Senate, Senator Kim Pate engaged with participants on the importance of Senate committee work and her contributions to committee studies. Senator Krista Ross closed out the event with words of encouragement and parting thoughts about civic engagement.
This year’s programming also included a “Pathways to Parliament” panel featuring senators’ staff, where Yana Almer, John Inca Anderson, Jacqui Delaney, Momar Diagne and Christopher Reed shared their career journeys and advice about working on Parliament Hill.
Moreover, the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) captured the different Model Senate simulations and activities on film, as well as interviews with participants, for a mini documentary to be aired later this year.
Model senators listen attentively to witness testimony during a simulated meeting of the Committee on Indigenous Peoples.
Senator Kim Pate speaks to model senators about the role of Senate committees and answers questions from students about the legal and justice system.
Model senators pose on one of the original train station benches from when the Senate of Canada Building served as Ottawa’s central train station.
Senator Krista Ross offers parting words on the last day of Model Senate 2025.
A camera operator from the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) films proceedings in the Senate Chamber for a mini documentary about Model Senate 2025.
A record number of students filled the halls of the Senate of Canada Building for the fifth edition of the annual Model Senate from May 8 to 10, 2025.
Students Émilie Attara, left, and Charlie Martin hold up a copy of the bills they drafted, with the help of Senate lawyers, that model senators studied and debated.
Model senators mark the closing of Model Senate 2025, the event’s fifth edition, in the Red Chamber.
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Full house as Model Senate turns five
Post-secondary students filled a record number of seats in the Senate Chamber — 104 to be exact! — during the fifth edition of Model Senate.
Launched in 2020, Model Senate is an annual model parliament held at the Senate of Canada Building in Ottawa and hosted by the Senate Administration. The dynamic, three-day event attracts applicants from communities and schools across the country. It offers participants an opportunity to debate and study bills, and represent Canadians like real senators in the Upper Chamber, as well as receive career advice during networking opportunities.
From May 8 to May 10, participants took part in simulated Senate sittings and committee meetings, building their knowledge of parliamentary procedure and honing their research, analytical and public-speaking skills.
Model Senate’s fifth edition started off with a bang at the Senate Social, a networking event where the Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable Raymonde Gagné, hosted an energized group of attendees, including sitting senators, senators’ staff and senior members of the Senate Administration — like Shaila Anwar, Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments. The soirée offered the youth participants a wonderful opportunity to connect with their peers and to meet people from across the Senate community.
In her opening remarks, Speaker Gagné welcomed the participants to the Senate of Canada Building. She highlighted how symbolic it is for Model Senate to take place in the historic building, formerly Ottawa’s central train station and a hub of exchanges and encounters for more than a century. She described how the railway, by connecting the country’s different regions, paved the way for the Upper Chamber to play its role in defending those regions’ interests in Parliament — both contributing to Canada’s unification as a nation.
She congratulated model senators for bringing their energy and enthusiasm to the Senate and for ensuring, in their own way, that Canada’s diverse regions are represented in Parliament.
“I invite you to express your views and ideas with passion, but with respect for one another. Above all, don’t forget to have fun!” Speaker Gagné said.
On Thursday, May 8, 2025, the Honourable Raymonde Gagné, the 46th Speaker of the Senate, hosted the opening event of Model Senate 2025: the Senate Social. She congratulated the participants for bringing their energy and enthusiasm to the Senate.
Speaker of the Senate Raymonde Gagné, centre right, with seven Model Senate participants from her home province of Manitoba.
Senator Mohammad Al Zaibak, right, with model senator Mojisola Obajuluwa in the foyer of the Senate of Canada Building.
Senator Amina Gerba, centre left, connects with model senators at the Senate Social on May 8, 2025.
Senator Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia socializes with attendees at the opening event for Model Senate 2025.
Senator Tony Ince attends a networking soirée for Model Senate in the foyer of the Senate of Canada Building.
Senator Lucie Moncion engages with post-secondary students attending the fifth edition of Model Senate.
Senator Paulette Senior smiles as she engages with two model senators at the Senate Social.
Senator Marc Gold meets with model senators from across the country at the Senate Social.
Senator Katherine Hay connects with students at the opening event of Model Senate 2025.
The meet-and-greet soirée also featured career booths where model senators could speak with other Senate employees and learn about the Senate Page Program and other student job opportunities at the Upper Chamber.
The next day, model senators then began to shepherd two pretend Senate bills through the legislative process, guided by two students who shared the role of Speaker: Joshua Bisoka and Abby Samuels.
For the second year running, other participants worked in collaboration with the Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel to create those bills that model senators debated in the Chamber and studied in committee.
Bill S-392, introduced by Model Senator Charlie Martin, proposed to implement a national strategy to advance public awareness and education and to counter misinformation and disinformation regarding Canada’s seal populations, seal harvest and seal products.
Joshua Bisokas, left, and Abby Samuels shared the role of model Speaker of the Senate.
Model senators convene in the Senate Chamber for their first sitting on May 9, 2025.
Model senator and bill critic Geneviève Stacey addresses her colleagues in the Chamber on May 10, 2025.
Model senator Aidan Peters rises at his desk in the Senate Chamber.
Model senator and bill critic Ajaswi Raswi addresses her colleagues during a mock Senate sitting.
Model senator Éden-Grace Mulenga speaks in the Senate Chamber.
Senator Peter M. Boehm fields inquiries from model senators during the simulated Question Period in the Senate Chamber on May 9, 2025.
From left, senators’ staff Christopher Reed, Jacqui Delaney, Momar Diagne, John Inca Anderson and Yana Almer share their career journeys and advice during the “Pathways to Parliament” panel.
Bill S-393, co-drafted by Annina Trecroce and Model Senator Émilie Attara, sought to amend the Cannabis Act to provide, among other things, Indigenous governments with the authority to regulate the sale of cannabis in their community.
Model senators put the two bills under a microscope during simulated meetings of the Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, chaired by Model Senator Pasan Keragala, and the Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, chaired by Model Senator Sarah Fontaine-Sinclair.
Senator Marilou McPhedran appeared as an expert witness on Bill S-392, while Senator Brian Francis testified on Bill S-393.
The committees concluded their studies by each drafting a report — with support from Senate committee clerks Melissa Doyle and Caroline Woodward — and presenting those reports in the Red Chamber. Model senators Geneviève Stacey and Ajaswi Regmi served as critics of the bills.
Participants also simulated key elements of typical Senate sittings, including the opening procession and senators’ statements. During question period, Senator Peter M. Boehm fielded model senators’ inquiries and provided answers on behalf of the federal government.
Senator Marilou McPhedran testifies as an expert witness before the simulated Committee on Fisheries and Oceans at Model Senate 2025.
Model senator Pasan Keragala, chair of the simulated Committee on Fisheries and Oceans at Model Senate 2025, consults the text of the mock bill that was studied by the committee.
Model senators study and debate a mock bill during a simulated meeting of the Committee on Fisheries and Oceans at Model Senate 2025.
Shaila Anwar, Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments, greets model senators during the Clerk’s Luncheon at Model Senate 2025.
In the Senate Chamber, Senator Marc Gold takes questions from model senators about his role and responsibilities as Government Representative in the Senate.
Senator Brian Francis testifies before a simulated meeting of the Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples.
Model senator Sarah Fontaine-Sinclair, left, chairs a simulation of the Committee on Indigenous Peoples with support from Procedural Clerk Melissa Doyle.
Over the course of the weekend, participants got to hear directly from more senators and Senate employees. On May 9, Ms. Anwar delivered a lunchtime speech to model senators and Senator Marc Gold presented on his role and experience as Government Representative in the Senate before partaking in a question-and-answer period.
On the final day of Model Senate, Senator Kim Pate engaged with participants on the importance of Senate committee work and her contributions to committee studies. Senator Krista Ross closed out the event with words of encouragement and parting thoughts about civic engagement.
This year’s programming also included a “Pathways to Parliament” panel featuring senators’ staff, where Yana Almer, John Inca Anderson, Jacqui Delaney, Momar Diagne and Christopher Reed shared their career journeys and advice about working on Parliament Hill.
Moreover, the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) captured the different Model Senate simulations and activities on film, as well as interviews with participants, for a mini documentary to be aired later this year.
Model senators listen attentively to witness testimony during a simulated meeting of the Committee on Indigenous Peoples.
Senator Kim Pate speaks to model senators about the role of Senate committees and answers questions from students about the legal and justice system.
Model senators pose on one of the original train station benches from when the Senate of Canada Building served as Ottawa’s central train station.
Senator Krista Ross offers parting words on the last day of Model Senate 2025.
A camera operator from the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) films proceedings in the Senate Chamber for a mini documentary about Model Senate 2025.
A record number of students filled the halls of the Senate of Canada Building for the fifth edition of the annual Model Senate from May 8 to 10, 2025.
Students Émilie Attara, left, and Charlie Martin hold up a copy of the bills they drafted, with the help of Senate lawyers, that model senators studied and debated.
Model senators mark the closing of Model Senate 2025, the event’s fifth edition, in the Red Chamber.