Model Senate 2024: Record number of students take the reins in the Red Chamber
Model Senate reached new heights in 2024, after approximately 100 post-secondary students representing 10 provinces and one territory — a new record — filled the seats in Canada’s Upper Chamber.
And, for the first time in the event’s history, two students drafted the bills that model senators debated and studied over two days of simulated sittings and committee meetings.
Model Senate is an annual event organized by the Senate Administration that offers post-secondary students a taste of what it’s like to work in the Red Chamber, as well as face-to-face time with sitting senators and Senate personnel.
The event’s fourth edition, held in Ottawa from March 21 to 23, 2024, featured the most extensive, in-person programming to date that — in another first — was captured on camera for a mini-documentary to be featured on the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC), an independent, bilingual media organization that televises proceedings of Canada’s Parliament.
The event kicked off with the Senate Social, where participants connected with people from across the Senate community — including sitting senators, senators’ staff and senior members of the Senate Administration. Model senators also got to learn about student employment opportunities at the Upper Chamber, including the Senate Page Program.
As host of the networking soirée, Speaker of the Senate Raymonde Gagné welcomed participants to the Senate of Canada Building. She saluted model senators for their passion and offered words of advice and encouragement for their upcoming deliberations.
“I hope these exchanges will deepen your knowledge of our parliamentary system and leave you feeling inspired about the future — about your future,” Speaker Gagné said.
Over the following two days, model senators sharpened their analytical, procedural and public-speaking skills as they shepherded the two bills — drafted with support from senior Senate lawyer Marc-André Roy — through the legislative process.
Bill S-506, introduced by Model Senator Andrew Clark-Alfaro, proposed to amend the Criminal Code to allow sentencing courts to impose a more lenient sentence than the prescribed minimum punishment for an offence.
Bill S-507, introduced by Model Senator Keagan McNeil, sought to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to require the use of body scanners in searches of female prisoners, instead of strip searches.
Model senators scrutinized S-506 and S-507 during simulated meetings of the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs and the Senate Committee on Human Rights. Senator Paul J. Prosper appeared as an expert witness on Bill S-506, while Senator Kim Pate testified on Bill S-507.
With support from Senate committee clerks Catlin Seibel-Kamél and Maya Zeinali, each committee then drafted a report and presented it in the Chamber.
Model senators also simulated key elements of Chamber sittings, including the opening procession, senators’ statements and question period. Senator Yonah Martin spoke to participants as the first Chamber sitting concluded and Senator Rebecca Patterson wrapped up the event with closing remarks.
Senator Yonah Martin encourages participants to keep “chipping away” at their goals and to not be discouraged by failure.
Throughout the event, three students who shared the role of Model Speaker — Marianne Arseneau, Sarah Mazhero and Cole Walsh — ensured the proceedings ran smoothly and the rules of the Senate were respected.
This year’s programming also included a “Pathways to Parliament” panel featuring senators’ staff, including Christina Cail, Dan Charbonneau and Katherine Sullivan.
Here are some photos from Model Senate 2024.
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Model Senate 2024: Record number of students take the reins in the Red Chamber
Model Senate reached new heights in 2024, after approximately 100 post-secondary students representing 10 provinces and one territory — a new record — filled the seats in Canada’s Upper Chamber.
And, for the first time in the event’s history, two students drafted the bills that model senators debated and studied over two days of simulated sittings and committee meetings.
Model Senate is an annual event organized by the Senate Administration that offers post-secondary students a taste of what it’s like to work in the Red Chamber, as well as face-to-face time with sitting senators and Senate personnel.
The event’s fourth edition, held in Ottawa from March 21 to 23, 2024, featured the most extensive, in-person programming to date that — in another first — was captured on camera for a mini-documentary to be featured on the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC), an independent, bilingual media organization that televises proceedings of Canada’s Parliament.
The event kicked off with the Senate Social, where participants connected with people from across the Senate community — including sitting senators, senators’ staff and senior members of the Senate Administration. Model senators also got to learn about student employment opportunities at the Upper Chamber, including the Senate Page Program.
As host of the networking soirée, Speaker of the Senate Raymonde Gagné welcomed participants to the Senate of Canada Building. She saluted model senators for their passion and offered words of advice and encouragement for their upcoming deliberations.
“I hope these exchanges will deepen your knowledge of our parliamentary system and leave you feeling inspired about the future — about your future,” Speaker Gagné said.
Over the following two days, model senators sharpened their analytical, procedural and public-speaking skills as they shepherded the two bills — drafted with support from senior Senate lawyer Marc-André Roy — through the legislative process.
Bill S-506, introduced by Model Senator Andrew Clark-Alfaro, proposed to amend the Criminal Code to allow sentencing courts to impose a more lenient sentence than the prescribed minimum punishment for an offence.
Bill S-507, introduced by Model Senator Keagan McNeil, sought to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to require the use of body scanners in searches of female prisoners, instead of strip searches.
Model senators scrutinized S-506 and S-507 during simulated meetings of the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs and the Senate Committee on Human Rights. Senator Paul J. Prosper appeared as an expert witness on Bill S-506, while Senator Kim Pate testified on Bill S-507.
With support from Senate committee clerks Catlin Seibel-Kamél and Maya Zeinali, each committee then drafted a report and presented it in the Chamber.
Model senators also simulated key elements of Chamber sittings, including the opening procession, senators’ statements and question period. Senator Yonah Martin spoke to participants as the first Chamber sitting concluded and Senator Rebecca Patterson wrapped up the event with closing remarks.
Senator Yonah Martin encourages participants to keep “chipping away” at their goals and to not be discouraged by failure.
Throughout the event, three students who shared the role of Model Speaker — Marianne Arseneau, Sarah Mazhero and Cole Walsh — ensured the proceedings ran smoothly and the rules of the Senate were respected.
This year’s programming also included a “Pathways to Parliament” panel featuring senators’ staff, including Christina Cail, Dan Charbonneau and Katherine Sullivan.
Here are some photos from Model Senate 2024.