The last edition of the Model Senate took place from May 8 to 10, 2025, at the Senate of Canada Building.

Through their participation, model senators acquire the following:

• General knowledge of procedures of the Senate Chamber and Senate committees, through training sessions built by experts.
• Public speaking skills through interventions during Chamber and committee simulations.
• Experience with researching debate topics, and preparation of speaking notes, recommendations, and questions.
• Problem solving and negotiating abilities through collaboration with other participants.
• Experience interacting with high-profile guests, such as senators and senior officials from the Senate Administration.

Model Senate gives post-secondary students across the country the opportunity to become a member of Canada’s Upper Chamber for a weekend. It is a unique opportunity for students to learn more about the Senate’s role in Canadian democracy and acquire new skills.

How does the Model Senate work?

Over two days, successful applicants take on the role of a senator and debate selected topics during a Senate sitting. Some participants also take part in a committee meeting.

What do students get out of the Model Senate?

Model senators get a taste of the exciting and important work that senators do and learn firsthand about the Senate’s role in Parliament. They learn new skills and gain a better understanding of the legislative process through a variety of activities, keynote presentations and meet-and-greets. Opportunities for networking with senators, with Senate Administration staff and with other students also take place.

The last edition of the Model Senate took place on March 21-23, 2024, at the Senate of Canada Building.

Through their participation, model senators acquire the following:

• General knowledge of procedures of the Senate Chamber and Senate committees, through training sessions built by experts.
• Public speaking skills through interventions during Chamber and committee simulations.
• Experience with researching debate topics, and preparation of speaking notes, recommendations, and questions.
• Problem solving and negotiating abilities through collaboration with other participants.
• Experience interacting with high-profile guests, such as senators and senior officials from the Senate Administration.

The Model Senate gives post-secondary students across the country the opportunity to become a member of Canada’s Upper Chamber for a weekend. It is a unique opportunity for students to learn more about the Senate’s role in Canadian democracy and acquire new skills.

How does the Model Senate work?

Over a day and a half, successful applicants take on the role of a senator and debate selected topics during a Senate sitting. Some participants also take part in a committee meeting.

What do students get out of the Model Senate?

Model senators get a taste of the exciting and important work that senators do and learn firsthand about the Senate’s role in Parliament. They learn new skills and gain a better understanding of the legislative process through a variety of activities, keynote presentations and meet-and-greets. Opportunities for networking with senators, with Senate Administration staff and with other students also take place.

The last edition of the Model Senate took place virtually on March 10 and 11 2023, reuniting virtual and in-person participants.

Through their participation, model senators acquire the following:

• General knowledge of procedures of the Senate Chamber and Senate committees, through training sessions built by experts.
• Public speaking skills through interventions during Chamber and committee simulations.
• Experience with researching debate topics, and preparation of speaking notes, recommendations, and questions.
• Problem solving and negotiating abilities through collaboration with other participants.
• Experience interacting with high-profile guests, such as senators and senior officials from the Senate Administration.

The Model Senate gives post-secondary students across the country the opportunity to become a member of Canada’s Upper Chamber for a weekend. It is a unique opportunity for students to learn more about the Senate’s role in Canadian democracy and acquire new skills.

How does the Model Senate work?

Over a day and a half, successful applicants take on the role of a senator and debate selected topics during a Senate sitting. Some participants also take part in a committee meeting.

What do students get out of the Model Senate?

Model senators get a taste of the exciting and important work that senators do and learn firsthand about the Senate’s role in Parliament. They learn new skills and gain a better understanding of the legislative process through a variety of activities, keynote presentations and meet-and-greets. Opportunities for networking with senators, with Senate Administration staff and with other students also take place.

The last edition of the Model Senate took place virtually on March 18 and 19, 2022.

Through their participation, model senators and journalists acquire the following:

• General knowledge of procedures of the Senate Chamber and Senate committees, through training sessions with experts.
• Public speaking skills as a result of interventions during Chamber and committee simulations.
• Research on debate topics, and preparation of speaking notes, recommendations, and questions.
• Problem solving and negotiating abilities through collaboration with other participants.
• Interactions with high-profile guests, such as senators and members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery.
• Participation in a simulated parliamentary press conference.
• Production of an article with specific guidelines under tight deadlines (model journalists).

The Model Senate gives post-secondary students across the country the opportunity to become a member of Canada’s Upper Chamber for a weekend. It is a unique opportunity for students to learn more about the Senate’s role in Canadian democracy and acquire new skills.

How does the Model Senate work?

Over a day and a half, successful applicants take on the role of a senator and debate selected topics during a Senate sitting. Some participants also take part in a committee meeting.

What do students get out of the Model Senate?

Model senators get a taste of the exciting and important work that senators do and learn firsthand about the Senate’s role in Parliament. They learn new skills and gain a better understanding of the legislative process through a variety of activities, keynote presentations and meet-and-greets. Opportunities for networking with senators, Senate Administration staff and other students also take place.

Model journalists learn the ins and outs of reporting from Parliament Hill. This portion of the Model Senate is exclusively reserved for university and college students who contribute to their local student-run media outlets. Participants meet members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, with whom they can talk about their work on the Hill. Students simulate a parliamentary press conference and report on Model Senate proceedings, committee meeting simulations and student participation; articles are published in a special electronic publication for all participants.