Activities

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Canada’s first female senator was appointed to the Senate 91 years ago this month.

To mark International Women’s Day, take this quiz to test your knowledge of the Upper Chamber, the women who helped shape it and how their legacies are honoured!

Take the quiz

NEW ACTIVITY SHEETS FOR STUDENTS

Get to know a senator

Students research a senator of their choice.

How a bill becomes a law

See how a bill moves through Parliament with this animated video and brochure. (Answer key)

What's in a bill?

Students decipher a genuine bill of their choice.

How the Senate works

Learn some of the quirks of Senate sittings by exploring the Senate Explained video series. (Answer key)

Write your own Senator’s Statement

Learn about these three-minute speeches and how to draft one.

The Senate Virtual Tour treasure hunt

Explore the virtual Senate in its original Centre Block home to find three “treasures.” (Answer key)

EDUCATIONAL PUBLICATIONS

Recommended for elementary and middle school students (ages 6–13)

The Wise Owls

Helps young students grasp the history and role of the Senate.

Senate Activity Book

Teaches students in Grade 4 and up about the history and key functions of the Senate through activities.

Paper fortune-teller game

Allows students to discover facts about senators and the Senate’s history, art, and architecture.

Colouring sheets

A fun way for young students to explore features in and around the Senate of Canada Building.

Recommended for high school, college and university students (ages 14+)

Canada’s Senate:
A Chamber of Thought and Action

Outlines the history and key functions of the Senate.

Canada’s Senators: Strong and Principled Voices

Provides a brief outline of the key functions of the Senate.

Senate Page Program

Provides a brief overview of the Senate Page Program and its application process.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Briefly outlines each step of the legislative process that a Senate bill undergoes.

Senate Activity Book

Teaches students up to the age of 16 about the history and key functions of the Senate through activities.

The Red Chamber on Rideau Street

Allows students to discover the new temporary home of the Senate on Rideau Street in Ottawa.

EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS

Senators Answer Students’ Questions

In this video series, learn directly from senators as they answer students’ most frequently asked questions about the Senate.

A Day in the Life Series

Get an inside look at the daily lives of various senators.

The Senate Explained Series

Find out more about Senate procedures in under a minute.

The Senate of Canada Building

Peek inside the Senate of Canada Building.

Virtual tour of the Senate in Centre Block

Did you miss your opportunity to visit Ottawa and the Senate Chamber in Centre Block before its closure for renovations? Wander the halls of Centre Block in this virtual tour.

The Speech from the Throne

Find out more about the Speech from the Throne.

POP QUIZ CHALLENGE

Hey teachers! Would your students ace the Senate Pop Quiz? We quizzed passersby on Parliament Hill and at the University of Ottawa about their Senate knowledge. Watch the video and then quiz your students with our Kahoot!

Take the Challenge

Play the high school level