Foreword by the Speaker of the Senate of Canada
It is with pride that I submit to you the
2002-2003 Annual Report of the
Senate of Canada. The report gives an
account of most of the activities undertaken by
the Senate and its committees, as well as
certain initiatives of individual senators. It
should be noted that this report covers the
period from April 1, 2002, to March 31, 2003,
and thus straddles two sessions of the 37th
Parliament. (The first session ran from January
29, 2001, to September 16, 2002, while the
second started on September 30, 2002, and was
still under way on March 31, 2003.)
Canada's senators are more than lawmakers in
the strict sense of the word. Given the nature
of their mandate, they are able to study public
policy issues in great depth, largely
unfettered by partisan thinking. Over the past
year, they focused their attention on issues
with broad ramifications - Canada's drug policy
on cannabis, the health of Canadians, intercity
bus transportation and airport security, to
name but a few. There were hours of debate in
the Chamber and hundreds of witnesses heard in
committee.
The report also bears witness to the Senate's
very active role on the international stage.
The productive relationships we maintain with
the representatives of other parliamentary
institutions confirm our own institution's
vitality, legitimacy, usefulness and raison
d'être.
Dan Hays
Speaker of the Senate
Foreword by the Chair of the Standing Committee
on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
As the body mandated to examine all financial
and administrative matters related to the
Senate's internal management, the Committee
that I have the honour of chairing endeavours
to ensure the responsible use of public funds
received by the Senate to carry out its
functions. The Committee is aware of the
intrinsic ethical aspect of its mandate and is
careful to act as a trustee for and on behalf
of the Canadian people. Its decisions are
always guided by concern for accountability and
transparency.
The Senate and its internal operations
consistently strive for efficiency in the best
interests of all Canadians. This report is the
permanent record of the highlights of 2002-2003
and an account of senators' activities as
legislators.
I am particularly proud of last fiscal year's
achievements. I welcome this opportunity to
point out that all this good work was made
possible by the dedication and professionalism
of the Senate Administration, all of whom I
wish to thank. At all levels, the Senate team
is made up of motivated and determined people
who provide service of the highest possible
quality.
Lise Bacon
Chair, Standing Committee on Internal Economy,
Budgets and Administration
Foreword by the Clerk of the Senate and Clerk
of the Parliaments
The Senate Administration, which I have the
privilege of directing, is at the service of
senators. Its mission is to facilitate their
work and the attainment of their objectives as
parliamentarians and key players in the
Canadian legislative process. To do so, the
Senate Administration depends on human and
financial resources, for which it is
accountable.
An annual report is an opportunity to look back
over what has been done, to see what progress
has been made, and to feel justifiably proud.
We appreciate the opportunity that has been
given us here to convey information on our
activities, accomplishments and projects, as
well as financial data for the 2002-2003 fiscal
year. This report also gives an overview of
basic facts about the Senate as an institution:
What is the Senate? Who makes up the Senate?
Why does Canada have an Upper House? How does
the Senate go about its daily work? The answers
to all these questions are in this report.
Newcomers to the parliamentary scene will
welcome the information, and old hands may be
surprised to find that they did not know as
much as they thought.
The Senate is guided by an unwavering concern
to do its job in the best interests of all
Canadians, no matter where they live and no
matter where they are from. This report
reflects the Senate's sense of responsibility
and confirms its desire to serve.
Paul C. Bélisle
Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the
Parliaments
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