S-226An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 and the Parliament of Canada Act (Speaker of the Senate)
Senate public bill, introduced in the Senate on November 24, 2021
- Status
- At second reading in the Senate since November 24, 2021
- Sponsor
- Terry M. MercerSenator
- Senator
What it does
Elects the Senate Speaker and Deputy Speaker by secret ballot, changes when they can vote, and updates Senate rules and pay.
What it does
- Requires the Senate to elect a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker by secret ballot after a general election, and to fill any vacancy the same way.
- Changes Senate voting rules so the senator presiding votes only when voices are tied.
- Lets the Deputy Speaker take the chair when the Speaker leaves during a sitting, and lets another senator take over if the Deputy Speaker must leave.
- Keeps Senate decisions valid when they are made by the Deputy Speaker or by another senator acting in the Speaker’s place.
- Sets the annual salary for the Deputy Speaker of the Senate at $20,600.
Who it affects
- Senators
- Senate Speaker
- Deputy Speaker of the Senate
- Senate officers
Background
Under current law, the Governor General appoints the Speaker of the Senate. The bill would replace that with elected Senate officers and add a Deputy Speaker role.
Where it is
Senate
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Current stage. Now here
Committee
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
House of Commons
First reading
Not reached.
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
Not reached.
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by a senator. If the Senate passes it, it goes to the House of Commons, where an MP must agree to sponsor it. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
No recorded votes yet
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: Bill not proceeded with. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.