“In the future, we are going to be there to lead this country in the next phase of development,” said Nana Asamoah, a Model Senate participant living in Ottawa, Ontario. 

“It’s very important that as youth, we start to learn about our democratic process and how things work, so when the mantle is passed down to us, we can carry the torch in the next phase of Canadian life.”

Launched in 2020 and hosted by the Senate Administration, the event is a unique model parliament in Canada that attracts hundreds of applicants from across the country and is recorded for a mini documentary on the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC).

The event’s sixth edition, held from May 7 to May 9 at the Senate of Canada Building, offered participants the chance to simulate the work of real senators during Senate sittings and committee meetings. Between the examination of a fictional bill and an emergency debate about flooded rail tracks in Eastern Canada, the 2026 Model Senate cohort gained a deeper understanding of how the Upper Chamber serves Canadians, strengthened their grasp of parliamentary procedure, and tested their ability to write, negotiate and public speak on the fly.

The Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable Raymonde Gagné, once again hosted the official welcome for Model Senate with a networking event at the Senate of Canada Building. In her opening speech, she welcomed and congratulated the group of students for joining the Model Senate community.

She encouraged them to listen intently, engage thoughtfully and express themselves with respect over the course of the event. She shared that in her 10 years as a senator — the last three as Speaker — she has considered it a privilege to observe the valuable expertise and perspective each senator brings to their work in defending the rights and interests of regions and minority communities.

“It really warms my heart to see a similar sense of dedication and diversity of experience at Model Senate within this very talented group of students,” Speaker Gagné said.

During the Senate Social, participants had the chance to meet senators from their regions and chat with senators’ staff and senior members of the Senate Administration about working on Parliament Hill. Participants also visited information booths promoting student job opportunities at the Upper Chamber, like the Senate Page Program, co-ops and part-time employment during the academic year and the summer months.

On Thursday, May 7, 2026, the Honourable Raymonde Gagné, the 46^th Speaker of the Senate, hosted the opening event of Model Senate 2026.

Speaker of the Senate Raymonde Gagné, centre left, hosts Model Senate 2026 participants at the Senate Social, including students from Manitoba, her home province.

Senator Leo Housakos, left, connects with Model Senate participant Karamveer Singh at the Senate Social on May 7, 2026.

Senator Mary Coyle, right, socializes with Carmel Edmonds and her son at the opening event for Model Senate 2026 participants.

Senator Dawn Arnold attends a networking soirée for Model Senate at the Senate of Canada Building.

Senator Donna Dasko connects with participant Anastasiia Stelmakh at the opening event of Model Senate 2026.

Senator Réjean Aucoin engages with post-secondary students attending the sixth edition of Model Senate.

After a night of new connections and lively conversations, participants returned the next day for a breakfast event that connected them with another group of senators. Usher of the Black Rod J. Greg Peters kicked off the first day of simulations with inspiring opening remarks before Model Senate participants got to work moving Senate bill S-394 through the legislative process: An Act to establish a national strategy on alternative treatment and rehabilitation programs for offenders with mental health conditions.

The bill — drafted by Model Senate participant Sophie Côté, in collaboration with the Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel — proposed the federal government develop a national strategy to help improve access to appropriate mental-health programs outside of correctional institutions for offenders with mental health conditions.

Senator Paulette Senior engages with post-secondary students attending the sixth edition of Model Senate.

Senator Tony Ince converses with Model Senate participant Noor Alqadhi at the Senate Social.

Senator Andrew Cardozo meets with Model Senate participants at the Senate Social.

Senator Suze Youance connects with participants at the Senate Social on May 7, 2026.

Model Senate 2026 opened with a networking soirée at the Senate of Canada Building in Ottawa.

Usher of the Black Rod J. Greg Peters launches the first day of simulations with opening remarks in the Red Chamber.

Model Senate participant Aiden Peters filled the role of Speaker of the Senate on May 8, 2026.

During a simulated meeting of the Senate Committee on Human Rights, chaired by Abby Samuels, committee members examined the bill in detail and heard witness testimony from senators René Cormier and Kim Pate.

The following day, Fatoumata Binta Diallo chaired a meeting of the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, where Senator Michèle Audette appeared as the expert witness on the bill.

To conclude their studies, each committee drafted a report — with support from Senate procedural clerk Sara Gajic — before debate at third reading in the Red Chamber and the final vote on the bill.

However, the students were forced to pivot quickly when an emergency debate was called over a hypothetical flooding event on the land connecting Nova Scotia and New Brunswick that halted the flow of goods and services by rail. Participants rose to the challenge and debated the fallout of the extreme weather event for an hour, before returning to business as usual.

Participants also performed key elements of Senate sittings during the simulations — including the opening procession and senators’ statements. During question period Senator Iris G. Petten played the role of Government Representative in the Senate.

The 2026 program featured two other special appearances by sitting senators. Senator Leo Housakos spoke to participants about his role and responsibilities as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, and offered them advice on public speaking.

Post-secondary student Sophie Côté holds up a copy of the bill she drafted, in collaboration with Senate lawyers, that Model Senate participants studied and debated.

Model Senate participant Katanan Touré presided over the sitting in the Red Chamber in the role of Speaker on May 9, 2026.

Model Senate participant Casey Lali takes the mic during the simulated Question Period in the Senate Chamber.

Model Senate participant Sophie Mohamed rises and makes a statement at her desk in the Senate Chamber.

Senator Leo Housakos speaks to Model Senate participants about his role and responsibilities as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.

Senator Farah Mohamed presented the event’s closing remarks, during which she commended the students for their enthusiasm, and offered advice and encouragement for achieving their career goals. She also highlighted the importance of building trust, protecting relationships and not giving up in the face of defeat.

Between simulations, the participants also received further professional insights from experienced Senate employees — including Shaila Anwar, Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments, who gave a lunchtime speech to the group.

The “Pathways to Parliament” panel also made its return with senators’ staff Yana Almer, Catlin Seibel-Kamel, Christine Sentongo-Andersen, Lauren Stokes and Lauren Thomas. During the session, moderated by participant Yannick Guipier, the five employees shared their career journeys, their experiences working for different senators and advice about working on Parliament Hill.

“I do hope to get involved in Canadian politics,” said Marisa Troullidou, a participant studying in Montréal, Québec. “It’s really important that youth stay active and have an opinion because we are the next generation of leaders.”

Model Senate participant and bill critic Cooper Roy addresses his colleagues in the Senate Chamber.

Model Senate participant Emily Jade Mann debates a bill at second reading in the Senate Chamber.

Participant Yannick Guipier moderates the “Pathways to Parliament” panel at Model Senate 2026.

Model Senate participant Abby Samuels, centre, chairs a meeting of the simulated Committee on Human Rights on May 8, 2026.

Model Senate participant Emerson McFadyen takes the mic at the simulated Committee on Human Rights.

Senator Michèle Audette testifies before a simulated meeting of the Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs at Model Senate 2026.

Model Senate participants question Senator Michèle Audette as they study a mock bill in the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.

Manitoba Senator Marilou McPhedran connects with participants from her home province during a networking breakfast at Model Senate 2026.

Senator Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler chats with Model Senate participants in the Senate of Canada Building.

Senator Iris G. Petten fields an inquiry from Model Senate participant Michaela Dankwa during Question Period in the Senate Chamber on May 8, 2026.

Senator Farah Mohamed offered words of advice and encouragement for the event’s closing remarks and took questions from Model Senate participants.

Model Senate participant Sophia Aomar Obadia debates a bill at second reading in the Senate Chamber.

Model Senate participant Patrick Djemo Kabongo addresses his colleagues in the Red Chamber.

From left, senators’ staff Christine Sentongo-Andersen, Catlin Seibel-Kamel, Yana Almer, Lauren Thomas and Lauren Stokes share their career journeys and advice during the “Pathways to Parliament” panel.

Senators René Cormier and Kim Pate testify as expert witnesses before the simulated Committee on Human Rights at Model Senate 2026.

Model Senate participants listen to testimony from senators René Cormier and Kim Pate during a meeting of the Committee on Human Rights.

Shaila Anwar, Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments, delivers opening remarks at the Clerk’s Luncheon during Model Senate 2026.

Model Senate participant Fatoumata Binta Diallo, centre, chairs a meeting of the simulated Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs on May 9, 2026.

Model Senate participants study a mock bill in detail during a simulated meeting of the Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.

Senator Manuelle Oudar attends a networking breakfast with Model Senate participants on May 8, 2026.

At Model Senate, a camera operator from the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) films participants’ deliberations in the Senate Chamber for a mini documentary about the event.