"Is The Canadian Senate Relevant Today?" (500 words)

Canada is a glorious country with a rich history, progressive freedoms for it citizens and an extremely unique array of cultures. However, in such a country, it is important to have a government which, not only protects the integrity and history of this country but must also be able to make the over 6 million immigrants who have made this country home, feel comfortable in their new family.

 

Arguably, no other branch of government addresses this need better than the Canadian senate. Before one can question the relevancy of the Canadian Senate, we must truly understand what their role in Canadian government is. The senate is appointed by the governor general based on advice from the Prime Minister, made up of 105 members from various regions in Canada, with the four major regions(Ontario, Quebec, the Maritime provinces, and the Western provinces) getting 24 seats each and the rest going to (Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut).

 

This is a very crucial set up because the involvement of both the Governor General and Prime Minister in the appointing process ensures that senators are appointed on a fair, bipartisan basis and that their interests will coincide with the welfare of the citizens and not with fulfilling a hidden political agenda. The fact that the four major regions also get an equal number of seats, regardless of population and GDP size ensures that the needs of all the regions are being fairly addressed. The main power from the senate however, comes from their ability to propose and pass new bills that affects the lives of millions of Canadians every day. Typically, we accept laws as rules and regulations without questioning why we have to follow these laws, however by understanding what role the senate plays in these

rules, we can get a better understanding of what kind of values and morals they want to instill in Canadian culture. In present day Canada, the Senate鈥檚 relevance is demonstrated through its ability to delicately balance both the preservation of the history and culture of Canada鈥檚 heritage while welcoming and accommodating the needs of new Canadian immigrants and their culture. Such an example is Senator Jean颅Robert Gauthier's Bill S颅3's, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act which was passed into law in late November 2005. It was an amendment to the Official Languages Act that allows Canadians to take the federal government to court if it does not live up to its obligation to protect and promote both French and English minorities in Canada.

 

Another bill which protects the rights of Canada鈥檚 heritage is the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act which is an respecting family homes on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights to structures and lands on those reserves. Conversely, the Canadian senate maintains its credibility by not only protecting the rights of people who have lived in Canada for years but also by accommodating those who have recently called this country home.

 

For example, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act which received Royal Assent in November 2001. This act ensured that people who had proven they would be able to make contributions to Canadian society would have a good chance of entering Canada, but also that those who were less fortunate and seeking to escape the harsh conditions of their country would also have a fair chance at starting a better life in Canada. I myself am here today in this country as a Canadian citizen, born in Nigeria due to this act, and I have the Canadian senate partly to thank for that.

 

Whenever individuals question the relevancy of the Canadian Senate, one must explain to them that their ability to ensure the protection of the rights and freedoms of past, present, and future Canadians is what makes the Senate an important part of this wonderful country called Canada.

 

Community Involvement Extra颅Curricular Activities

  • Senior soccer team member

  • Halton Catholic District School board Student Senate member

  • DECA club

    Community Activities

  • Erin Mills Eagles OYSL soccer team

  • Audio & Visual department church volunteer

  • Academic Tutor

  • Town of Milton Camp Counsellor

    Leadership Roles

  • Student Representative Halton Mental Health Leadership Committee

  • Black History Month Organizer and co颅host

  • Religion Retreat Leader

  • Student Athletic Council Executive

 

Future Plans

After I graduate high school my plan is to enroll at the University of Western Ontario or Queen鈥檚 University in the faculty of either Engineering or Business/Commerce at each school. I have already gained acceptance into three of my four chosen programs and am just waiting on an acceptance from the University of Western Ontario Ivey AEO (Advanced Entry Opportunity) business program, this program would allow me to get a dual degree in both Engineering and Honours Business Administration.

 

The two faculties I鈥檓 applying to both have the highest tuition costs in their respective universities and with two younger siblings in my house who also plan on attending University within the next five years, financial resources are strained in my family. My parents have invested a lot in me and my sisters, sacrificing everything we had in Nigeria to bring us to a new country to start a new life. They have invested a lot of money in not only my academic career but also in my athletic pursuits and interests, in the process sacrificing some of their own interests as well.

I have promised myself that I will do everything I can to let my parents know that their sacrifices have not been in vain, which is why I have invested so much time and effort into getting awarded a scholarship to not only ease the financial burden on them, but also as a means of showing my gratitude towards them.

 

The attitude of gratitude and giving back is another reason why I want to pursue the fields of engineering or business; I want to use the skills which I have learnt in University towards solving some of the infrastructural problems that we face in Canada but especially my home country of Nigeria. I also believe that a background in finance, would provide me with a better understanding of some of the economic problems that face third and second world countries and ultimately apply these skills to improve the lives of those affected by poverty and corruption in places like India, Nigeria, and Brazil.

 

I would ask the Wellington颅Halton District Women鈥檚 institute to provide me with this award so that they may help me to help others.