LEGISLATIVE ROLE OF INDEPENDENT SENATORS
 

• Creating a record for judicial use in interpretation of legislation

• Suggest improvements by way of amendments

• Scrutinize legislation

• Conduct research and compile evidence

• Interpret evidence

• Apply experience & knowledge to the evidence

• Debate bills

• Make amendments

• Vote

 

INVESTIGATIVE ROLE OF INDEPENDENT SENATORS
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• Committee studies initiated by senators

• Matters that matter

• Choose topic of special studies

• Inquire into topic

• Conduct in-depth research

• Analyze evidence & patterns

• Apply experience & knowledge to the evidence

• Determine action oriented recommendations
  
   

REGIONAL REPRESENTATION ROLE OF INDEPENDENT SENATORS
 

• Advocate regional perspective in all legislative, investigative and other roles

• Represent citizens from home region

• Participate in various events in home region

• Inform citizens in home region of Senate activities

 

PROTECTING MINORITIES ROLE OF INDEPENDENT SENATORS

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• Actions

• Initiate inquiries to highlight issues

• Advocate minority perspectives in all legislative, investigative and other roles

• Note: minorities include Charter and human rights categories, as well as rural communities
   

 

PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY ROLE OF INDEPENDENT SENATORS

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• Inter-parliamentary Associations (JIC)

• Advocacy in Canada and abroad on behalf of citizens or others from home region

• Get elected on executive of associations

• Volunteer to be a delegate on JIC missions

• Act on behalf of citizens and others from home region

 

 

ADVOCACY FOR PUBLIC CAUSES ROLE OF INDEPENDENT SENATORS

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• Promotion and defense of causes that contribute to the public good and civil society

• Actions

• Promote and defend public causes that contribute to civil society

• Participate in various events to augment profile of a public cause

• Publish articles, convene panel discussions and otherwise engage in efforts to raise awareness