Senator Daniel Hays - Leader of the Opposition in the Senate

Role of the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate

Traditionally, the party that takes on the role of the Opposition in the Senate is the same party as that of the Opposition in the House of Commons. After the last general election on January 23, 2006, the Liberal Party, having been in government for the past 12 years, became the Official Opposition.

The role of the Opposition, both in the House of Commons and in the Senate, is to hold the government accountable for its policies, programs and actions, and to critique and show any flaws in government legislation and initiatives, and provide viable alternatives.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Senate leads the Senators who are members of the Opposition party in holding the government accountable, and in promoting the Opposition party’s policies in the Senate.

Opposition Senators play two major roles:

Firstly, during the daily Question Period in the Senate, the Leader of the Opposition and all Senators have the chance to ask questions of the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Marjory LeBreton, as well as of Minister Fortier, who has been appointed as a Senator, on issues pertaining to his department of Public Works and Government Services.
Secondly, Opposition Senators will play an important role in examining each government bill that arrives in the Senate and suggesting improvements, both in the Senate Chamber and in Senate committees, where a more in-depth look at each piece of legislation is taken.


		HomeIssuesPress ReleasesSpeechesResources Leader of the Opposition in the Senate About the role About the Senate Role of the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Traditionally, the party that takes on the role of the Opposition in the Senate is the same party as that of the Opposition in the House of Commons. After the last general election on January 23, 2006, the Liberal Party, having been in government for the past 12 years, became the Official Opposition. The role of the Opposition, both in the House of Commons and in the Senate, is to hold the government accountable for its policies, programs and actions, and to critique and show any flaws in government legislation and initiatives, and provide viable alternatives. The Leader of the Opposition in the Senate leads the Senators who are members of the Opposition party in holding the government accountable, and in promoting the Opposition party’s policies in the Senate. Opposition Senators play two major roles: Firstly, during the daily Question Period in the Senate, the Leader of the Opposition and all Senators have the chance to ask questions of the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Marjory LeBreton, as well as of Minister Fortier, who has been appointed as a Senator, on issues pertaining to his department of Public Works and Government Services. Secondly, Opposition Senators will play an important role in examining each government bill that arrives in the Senate and suggesting improvements, both in the Senate Chamber and in Senate committees, where a more in-depth look at each piece of legislation is taken. Important Notice \| Contact Us \|