Speaker of the Senate

The Speaker of the Senate is the impartial "referee" of the Senators and is 4th on the Canadian Order of Precedence. The Speaker is appointed by the Prime Minister and is responsible for keeping order and following protocol in the House.

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Order and Decorum

As the Senate's presiding officer, it is the Speaker's responsibility to maintain order and decorum inside the Senate chamber. Like any legislature, the Senate is governed by rules and conventions. The Speaker chairs the sittings of the "red chamber," presides over votes, and rules on points of order as well as points of privilege raised by senators.

The Speaker's rulings can be challenged and subjected to a vote. Therefore, it is important for rulings to reflect the wishes of the majority of senators. A referee, and sometimes a coach, the Speaker must ensure that the process is fair and equitable for all parties.

Diplomacy

The Speaker of the Senate is fourth on the Order of Precedence following the Governor General, the Prime Minister, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. In this respect, protocol requires the Speaker to be involved in most state visits not only in a ceremonial role but also to receive visiting Heads of State or Heads of Government in the Speaker's chambers, usually with other parliamentarians and officials. The Speaker is required to interact on a regular basis with diplomats based in Canada as a means of advancing our country's relations with the world. He is also expected to travel internationally on behalf of the Canadian Parliament and sometimes as the government's representative.

The Honourable Noël Kinsella

The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella was a senior public servant serving as Associate Under-Secretary of State of Canada when he was summoned to the Senate of Canada on September 12, 1990.

The Honourable Noël Kinsella

Since his appointment to the Senate, Dr. Kinsella has served as Opposition Whip, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and most recently as the elected Leader of the Opposition. He also has been a member of Senate Standing Committees, including Human Rights; Social Affairs, Science and Technology; and National Finance.

Prior to his appointment as a Senator, Dr. Kinsella served as Chairperson of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission for 22 years, beginning in 1967 and is well-known nationally and internationally as a human rights advocate and academic.

Dr. Kinsella earned several university degrees, including doctorates in philosophy, theology and psychology. He has had a successful career as an academic, psychologist and labour arbitrator, with three books, several monographs and more than 50 articles published in the fields of psychology and human rights.

In 1984, he was made a Knight of the Order of Malta.

Dr. Kinsella was born in Saint John, New Brunswick, in 1939. He is married to Ann.

SOURCES: The Speaker of the Senate.