Because it is a house of Parliament, the Senate is governed by the parliamentary calendar. This calendar's dividing lines are the dissolution of Parliament for an election and prorogation (the end of a session of Parliament). In each case, all activities and committees of the Senate and the House cease, to start anew when Parliament reopens with a new session or after an election. Fiscal year 2008-09 ran over two Parliaments - the 39th and the 40th - and three sessions (the second session of the 39th Parliament and the first and second sessions of the 40th).

Despite these interruptions, the Senate accomplished much, debating the political topics of the day, scrutinizing legislation and bringing new issues to light.