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Both experts and the public agree that the Senate should not continue in its
present form. However, there is disagreement over whether the Senate should be
substantially reformed or abolished. Public support for abolition has increased
in recent years. A 1998 Angus Reid poll found almost as much support for
abolishing the Senate as reforming it. (Only five percent supported maintaining
the Senate in its current form). Arguments for abolishing the Senate include the following: Arguments for reforming the Senate include the following: Other Roles Performed by the Senate Besides considering House of Commons legislation, Senate standing committees
undertake in-depth inquiries into issues. For example, the Senate Standing
Committee on Social Affairs, Science, and Technology released a report into
Canada's Health care system one month before publication of the Romanow
Commission report. Other recent Senate investigations include poverty in Canada
and the legalization of marijuana. Since Senators are already paid and have
access to the Library of Parliament's research staff, Senate investigations
normally cost the taxpayer less than a Royal Commission or task force. While less important, the Senate also keeps private bills that don't impact a
large proportion of the public off the House of Commons busy schedule. Called
"Private Senator Private Bills," they concern an individual, group of
individuals, or a charitable organization. Prior to 1968, many of these were
divorce applications from residents of Quebec and Newfoundland, the only two
provinces without divorce courts. Today, most involve organizations, and include
matters such as acts of incorporation or an application by two associations to
amalgamate. Technically, these bills can be introduced in either House. In
practice, they are always introduced in the Senate, partly because Parliament
has made it less expensive to do so. It would be extremely difficult to fit
these bills into the House of Commons' tight schedule. Links and Further Reading "A Legislative and Historical Overview of the Senate of Canada," -
Includes excerpts from the Confederation Debates. Parliament of Canada. The Canadian Senate in Focus. Parliament of Canada. Senators and Members - Historical Information since 1867. Parliament of
Canada. Party Standings in the Canadian Senate - 1975 to Date. Parliament of Canada. Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982. Department of Justice Canada. "Australian Constitutional Crisis of 1975" Sound and video archives
from the australianpolitics.com site "Italian Regional Reform in Constitutional Context" - The political
process leading up to Italy's 2001 Constitutional Amendments. Cardiff
University. In-depth Look at Autonomy Statute for Italy's Province of South Tyrol. Civic
Network of South Tryol. Italian Constitution
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