# How Many Senators Are in Canada? — 105 Explained
Canada's Senate has 105 senators. This is a frequently tested fact on the Canadian citizenship test. Here is everything you need to know about who senators are, how they are appointed, and why the Senate matters.
The number — and why
The cap of 105 senators is set by the Constitution Act, 1867. Seats are divided by region rather than population so that smaller regions are not drowned out by Ontario and Quebec in the upper chamber.
| Region | Senate seats |
|---|---|
| Ontario | 24 |
| Quebec | 24 |
| Western Canada (BC, AB, SK, MB) | 24 |
| Atlantic Canada (NS, NB, PEI, NL) | 30 |
| Territories (YT, NT, NU) | 3 |
| Total | 105 |
This regional balance was deliberate at Confederation in 1867 — the smaller Atlantic colonies would not have joined Canada otherwise.
How senators are appointed
Senators are appointed, not elected. The Governor General signs the appointment on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Since 2016, the Prime Minister has used an Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments to recommend candidates under a merit-based, non-partisan process. This was a reform of the previous system where prime ministers picked senators directly, often from their own party.
How long senators serve
Senators serve until age 75, when they must retire. This was set by a 1965 amendment to the Constitution Act, 1867. Before that change, senators served for life.
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What the Senate does
The Senate is the upper house of Parliament. Every federal bill must pass:
- The House of Commons (338 elected MPs), and
- The Senate (105 appointed senators), and
- Receive Royal Assent from the Governor General.
The Senate is sometimes called the chamber of "sober second thought" — it reviews bills carefully, holds detailed committee studies, and can propose amendments. It rarely rejects bills outright but does so on occasion.
Why senators are not elected
Canada was designed in 1867 with an appointed upper house. The intent was a chamber that:
- Balanced regional interests (24 seats per major region rather than by population)
- Provided experienced, longer-serving members independent of election cycles
- Could amend or delay bills the elected House passed too quickly
Senate reform — making the Senate elected, capping terms, or abolishing it — has been debated for decades but has never passed because changing it requires a constitutional amendment.
What the test asks
Common citizenship-test questions on the Senate:
- How many senators are there? *(105)*
- Who appoints senators? *(The Governor General, on the advice of the Prime Minister)*
- Until what age do senators serve? *(75)*
- What is the role of the Senate? *(Reviews bills, second reading, amendments — "sober second thought")*
For more on Parliament as a whole, see [How Canadian Parliament Works](/blog/how-canadian-parliament-works).
Practice the actual citizenship test
Lock in this fact and dozens like it. Try our [free practice test](/practice-test) — it asks the Senate question in the same format you will see on test day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1How many senators are in Canada?
105. The Constitution caps the Senate at this number, with seats divided regionally — Ontario 24, Quebec 24, the four western provinces share 24, the Atlantic provinces share 30, plus 3 territorial seats.
2Are senators elected?
No. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. Since 2016, an Independent Advisory Board recommends candidates to the PM under a merit-based, non-partisan process.
3How long do senators serve?
Until age 75 — that is mandatory retirement under the Constitution Act, 1867 (as amended in 1965).
4What does the Senate do?
The Senate reviews bills passed by the House of Commons, can propose amendments, and must approve the bill before it becomes law. It is sometimes called the chamber of 'sober second thought'. The Senate rarely rejects bills outright.
5Is this number on the test?
Yes — knowing that Canada has 105 senators is a very common test question.