How many Senators does Canada have? How much do they earn?
The Parliament of Canada comprises three parts: The King, represented by the Governor General; the House of Commons, where Members of Parliament serve; and the Senate, where senators serve. The Senate is part of the bicameral legislative branch of the Canadian federal government. Often referred to as the upper house, the Senate’s primary role is to complement the work of the House of Commons by reviewing legislation and providing input to ensure regional interests, as well as the interests of minority groups who may be underrepresented in the House of Commons, are considered. Senators provide input, critique bills, and can recommend amendments. Senators can also propose laws and regulatory changes through legislation. Under Canada’s legislative process, all bills must receive approval in the House of Commons and the Senate and royal assent via the Governor General before becoming law.
In addition to reviewing and drafting legislation, Senators also form committees to investigate and study important social and political issues facing the nation, such as poverty, health, housing, unemployment, and national defense.
How many members serve in the Senate?
Based on the Canadian Constitution, the Senate has 105 members divided among the provinces and territories. Unlike the House of Commons, the number of Senators is not based on population. Rather, the number of Senators is fixed based on region. This ensures regions with smaller populations (Atlantic Canada) still have an important voice in Parliament. Ontario and Quebec each have 24 representatives, the most of all regions of Canada. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia each have 10. The central and western provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Atlantic province of Newfoundland and Labrador, each have six seats. Prince Edward Island has 4 seats, and each territory has one represenative apiece.
How much do Senators earn?
As of April 1, 2025, the base salary of a Senator is $184,400. Senators who serve in other offices, such as the Government Leader in the Senate, Speaker of the Senate, Government and Opposition Whip in the Senate, are provided with extra remuneration as outlined in the Parliament of Canada Act, similar to the compensation structure for Members of Parliament. The additional pay ranges from $1,500 to $100,000, depending on the role and responsibilities. Exclusive of benefits such as health, car allowances, and pensions, the annual compensation package for a Senator is between $184,400 and $284,400. The chart below is an illustration of the compensation Senators can earn based on their roles and responsibilities as members of the upper house.
How are Senators selected?
Senators are appointed by the Governor General based on the Prime Minister's recommendations. Senators are often distinguished individuals from many backgrounds, including education, science, the arts, Indigenous affairs, media, business, and more. Their experience, knowledge, and expertise give them a wide perspective and valuable insights on issues discussed in Parliament. Individuals must meet four criteria to become a Senator:
Age: An individual must be at least 30 and less than 75 years old;
Citizenship: An individual must be a Canadian citizen;
Net worth in real property: An individual must own real property in the province or territory he or she is appointed to represent that is worth at least $4,000. In the case of Quebec, Senators represent one of 24 electoral divisions and must own property in the electoral division they are appointed to represent.
Residency: An individual must have their permanent residence in the province or territory in which they are appointed to represent.
Senators are subject to mandatory retirement when they turn 75 years old.
Which Prime Minister has recommended the most Senators?
Since confederation in 1867, a total of 1,032 people have been appointed to the Senate. Typically, the longer a Prime Minister’s tenure, the more Senators they appoint. William Lyon Mackenzie King, the longest-serving Prime Minister, recommended 103 individuals for Senate appointments. He’s followed by Justin Trudeau, who recommended 100 people to the Senate during his 9.5-year tenure as prime minister. Sir John A. MacDonald (91), Stephen Harper (81), and Pierre Elliott Trudeau (81), round out the top five. Meanwhile, Kim Campbell is the only prime minister to not recommend a single person to the Senate.
