Media centre
Find the latest news and other helpful resources to keep you informed about the Senate’s work.
News releases
Quick contacts
Media enquiries
Email: [email protected]
Filming requests and general information about the Senate of Canada
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: 613-992-1149 (toll free: 1-800-267-7362)
Access to Senate sittings and committee meetings
Reporters are welcome to attend Senate sittings and public committee meetings in person. Those who are not part of the Parliamentary Press Gallery should allow extra time to go through security.
Most public proceedings — in the Chamber and in committees — can be streamed live and on-demand on Senate ParlVU. Please see the Senate’s Intellectual Property page for information regarding the reproduction of Senate and Senate committee proceedings.
Tools to help you cover the Senate
- Review the sitting schedule
- View items currently before the Senate
- Track the status of bills
- Check the committee meeting schedule
- Browse photos
- Subscribe to the Senate’s eNewsletter
- Read Hansard (Debates of the Senate)
- Explore an overview of previous sittings (Journals of the Senate)
- Watch or download clips of proceedings (Senate ParlVU)
- Sign up for committee alerts
Sharpen your knowledge of Senate procedure
From debates and votes to bills and committees, here are some tools to help explain how the Senate functions and how to follow its work.
The Senate Explained
Point of order? Not seeing the clock? Standing votes? Take the mystery out of the Senate’s specialized vocabulary with these glossaries of commonly used terms.
Understanding a typical Senate sitting
Navigating a Senate sitting can be tricky. This guide covers the Speaker’s Parade, adjournment and everything in between.
Committees explained
Senate committees study bills, investigate issues, hear from experts and ensure diverse voices can be heard in Parliament before making recommendations. Committees publish reports summarizing their findings and recommendations.
Order Paper and Notice Paper
The Order Paper and Notice Paper is the official agenda for a sitting of the Senate. It sets out the structure of a sitting, as well as items such as bills, motions and reports that could be debated. The fact an item is on the Order Paper and Notice Paper does not mean it will be debated. It is normally available online a few hours after the previous sitting ends.
Debates of the Senate (Hansard)
The Debates of the Senate are the official written record of all that is said during Senate sittings. They also contain the results of votes in the Senate Chamber. The Debates are generally published online the morning after the Senate sits.
Journals of the Senate
The Journals of the Senate are the official written record of the work the senators completed during a sitting. The Journals are normally published within a few hours of adjournment, and include items such as the Senate’s decisions and vote results.
A guide to Senate private bills
Private bills deal with legislative powers or exemptions for specific people or groups. These bills are distinct from private members’ bills.
LEGISinfo
LEGISinfo tracks bills as they progress through Parliament. Use it to find the full text of any bill as well as its sponsor, its status, links to parliamentarians’ speeches and much more.
Committee studies and reports
Learn how witness testimony and fact-finding missions shape committee reports and help senators represent Canadians in Parliament.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find out when a particular bill or topic will be spoken about in the Chamber?
The entire Order Paper and Notice Paper is called during each sitting of the Senate, if there is enough time before adjournment. Because senators can speak to items, it’s hard to tell what will happen on any given day. However, the Senate’s English- and French-language X accounts provide live updates during each sitting. Follow the Senate for key procedural information, plain-language summaries of bills and amendments, and vote results posted in real time.
How do I find out who will appear at an upcoming committee meeting?
A notice of meeting is posted on the Senate’s website for each scheduled committee meeting. It includes the list of witnesses who will appear, along with other information like the date, time, location and the topic of discussion (also called the Order of Reference).
You can receive an email alert when new notices are published. When you sign up, you can choose the committees for which you would like to receive alerts and how often you would like to receive them.
Can I access committee meeting transcripts?
Members of the media can request a copy of the draft, untranslated version of a committee meeting transcript (also known as “the Blues”) by emailing [email protected]. These drafts are typically available within 24 hours of a meeting.
Once edited and translated, official transcripts can be accessed by navigating to the relevant Notice of Meeting.
Can my publication use audio or video clips downloaded from Senate ParlVU or on the Senate website, in my report?
For information on the use of Senate audio and visual materials, please visit the Senate’s Intellectual Property web page.
How are senators appointed to the Senate of Canada?
Senators are appointed to the Senate by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister.
Media questions regarding the appointment of new senators should be directed to the Privy Council Office:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 613-957-5420
How many seats are currently vacant in the Senate?
Current vacancies are listed under the “Standings” tab, on the Senators web page.