· web view2 days ago · historically, persons who were appointed to this position were usually...

Parliament Square

The buildings in Parliament Square were constructed in 1815 by the Loyalists. They are modelled after buildings that are found in New Bern, the old capital of North Carolina. The pink government buildings are excellent examples of the colonial architecture of old Nassau. The building to the right is the House of Assembly where parliamentary meetings are held.

The Senate meets upstairs in the center building and the building to the left houses the office of the Leader of the Opposition. Queen Victoria's Statue, erected in 1905 from funds donated by the public who held her in high esteem, is in the front of the Senate building.

Queen Victoria was one of the longest serving British Monarch. She reigned during the period 1837-1901. Her reign saw the expansion of industrial expansion, economic progress and expansion of the British Empire.

Brief History of The Senate

The Bahamas legislature has had a bicameral feature since its inception in 1729 as the Governor's Council performed both executive and legislative functions. In 1841 Governor Francis Cockburn divided Governors Council into two separate councils. The Executive Council to deal with executive functions and the Legislative council to deal with Legislative functions of the upper house. During this period, the Bahamian legislature took on more structure, with the Legislative council being the superior legislative body and the House of Assembly being the lesser.

The Legislative council eventually was renamed as the senate in 1964 and became the weaker house, while the House of Assembly became the superior legislative body. The

Social science senior high school unit

Senate was created when the new written Constitution came into effect. During this period there were only 15 members in the Senate and 8 were appointed by the Governor in consultation with the Premier if he decided to consult, 5 was by the Governor on the advice of the Premier and 2 by the Governor on the advice of the leader of the Opposition. (The Bahama Island Constitution Order Council 1963, Change in Composition of the Senate)

Historically, persons who were appointed to this position were usually males and prior to 1964, they were white males. Doris Johnson was the first female appointed to the Senate. She was also the first female President ( 1973-1979) and first female Senator of Government Business in the Senate( 1968-1973). This has changed where persons are appointed and not discriminated because of colour or gender. Sharon Wilson was a female who was elected twice as President of the Senate.

The Senate composition changed again when the Constitution changed in 1969. The members consisted of 16, 9 were appointed by the Governor acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, 4 appointed by the Governor with the advice of the leader of the Opposition, 3 appointed by the Governor after consultation with the Prime Minister.

Once power was placed in the hands of the elected officials, the power of the Governor and the Senate diminished as well. The Senate powers were limited to delaying Bills, except taxation Bills for 6 months only. The life of the Senate became the same as the House of Assembly.

Senators’ titles are officially Honourable Members because they are part of the Upper House and represent her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second. Whenever there is a joint meeting of the parliament we hear the words echo, “Her Majesty, her heirs and successors” read by the Governor General. The Governor General never reads this in the Lower House but does this in the Senate Chambers.

What goes to the Senate?

The Bill Remember the Bill was introduced in the House of Assembly 3 times

What is a Bill?

According to Mirriam Webster, a Bill is a proposed legislation that has not been fully approved or passed by a legislative body.

DO YOU KNOW THE PARTS OF A BILL?

There are 5 parts to the Bill


Part 1 Is called the Long Title Bill which gives an explains what the Bill is about> Part 2 Is called the Short Title which gives an identification and explains when

the Bill would be legal if passed. Part 3 Is the Interpretation Clause which gives certain key words and phrases

used in the Bill. Part 4 Is the body of the Bill which looks at what measures the Bill will enact. Part 5 Is the last part of the Bill which covers the objectives and reasons why the

Bill was presented to the House.

REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING ABOUT THE SENATE

The main job of senators is to carefully check every bill passed by the House of Assembly before it is made into law. They ensure it has no errors and that it says what it should.

The Senate is sometimes known as the Upper House of Parliament. The Senate cannot prevent legislation passed by the House of Assembly from

becoming law. A further restriction on the powers of the Senate is that any legislation

involving money or taxation, such as the Budget, cannot be amended by the Senate in any way.

Brief Summary of The Senate

The House of Assembly has complete control over the people’s money. It was once called the “THE CHAMBER OF FRIENDS”. It was here that friends of the Monarch or his or her representatives were appointed. The Senate comprises of 16 members. This include a President, Vice-President, The Government Leader, 4 Opposition Members and three who are sometimes referred to as “Consultative Senators” or Independent Senators.

The President of the Senate is ranked 7th in the leadership of the government of The Bahamas. Senators are not elected officials but are appointed. For critics, the office of the Senate is viewed as a position given to political supporters.

However, in the Senate, debates on Bills take place and a different perspective that may have been over looked in the House of Assembly is often discussed. Additionally, Senators represent a ceremonial role that is closely tied to the Monarch. When the Queen or her heirs visits the country, they sit in the Senate Chambers to give remarks. The Senate is still considered the Upper House and persons who were highly


respected in their communities are appointed after consultation, are appointed by the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader after consulting with the Governor-General.

The Senate comprises of some persons who were former candidates running for office and were not successful. In retrospect, persons who are appointed as Cabinet Ministers can also hold the title of Senator. Senators are paid far less than elected officials. The salary of a Senator is $12, 500.00 per annum.

The Senate colour is red to represent the royalty of the monarch. Throughout the chambers you would see this colour being used. When one walks into the Chambers they would see this colour displayed. The Senate is presided over by a President who is assisted by a Vice-President. The President of the Senate is Dr. Mildred Hall-Watson. The Senate also has a Government Leader and an Official Opposition Leader. The Attorney General, Honourable Carl Bethel is one of the Cabinet Ministers who is a Senator. Another Cabinet Minister who is a Senator is Minister of Labour, the Honourable Dion Foulkes. There are also former Ministers who are currently Senators from the Progressive Liberal Party. Honourable Frederick Mitchell was a Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dr. Michael Darville, was a former Minister of Health. These two men are part of the Opposition in the Senate.

Section I

Instructions: Please continue to read over the notes and answer the following the questions.

i. How parts make up a Bill? _________________ (1pt)ii. The Interpretation Clause is part of Bill __________________ (1pt)iii. The Short Title Part is seen in ___________________________ (1pt)iv. Can the Senate reject a Bill? Yes or NO? Explain your answer. (2pts)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

v. Does the House of Assembly need approval of the Senate on matters pertaining to finances? (5pts)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Questions on The Senate

Section II

Instructions: Study the notes provided. Please answer the following questions.

1. What was the Senate once called? ( 1pt)

__________________________________________________________________

2. Who constructed the buildings in Parliament Square? (1pt)

______________________________________________________________

3. Which famous Monarch has a statue in Parliament Square? (1pt)__________________________________________________________

4. List the names of other government buildings next to the Senate 92pts)i. _______________________ ii. _______________________

5. What is the Role of the Senate? (2pts)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. What is the rank of the President of the Senate? (1pt)____________________________________________________________

7. “The Senate composition changed when the constitution changed”. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain your Answer. (3pts)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Compare the Role of Senators with Members of the House of Assembly. (4pts)


________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Section III(STUDENTS BE ENGAGE IN RESEARCH, TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SENATORS)

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE SENATORS?


Hon. Lisa Bostwick

Task: Write a letter to the President of the Senate, asking for students to attend Senate proceedings. ( 150 words) Make sure your teachers corrects it before it is sent on. ( 10 points)

Answer these questions by studying the pictures of the Senators.Each question is worth one point (1pt each)

i. How many female Senators are there? _______________________

ii. How many male Senators are there? _________________________

iii. Who is the President of The Senate? __________________________

iv. Name the four Opposition Senatorsa. _____________________________ b. _____________________________ c. _____________________________ d. _____________________________

v. Who do you think are the 3 “Consultative Senators”?a. __________________________ b. __________________________ c. __________________________

vi. Who is the Government leader in the Senate?_________________________

vii. Who is the Opposition leader in the Senate ?__________________________

viii. Who is a Senator and the Attorney General?__________________________


ix. Who is a Senator and the Minister of Labour?_________________________

x. Can you name Senators who is working directly with Grand Bahama?___________________________ ( He is a Junior Minister)

xi. This Senator led a famous March in 2017___________________________

xii. This Senator was a Professor at the University of The Bahamas and a Trade Unionist_______________________________

xiii. This Senator was a former Executive of the Bahamas Union of Teachers__________________________

xiv. This Senator is a female who once represented the Fox Hill Constituencya. ________________________ b. This Senator was once a Vice-President of a major Rum

Company__________________

xv. This female Senator is from Fresh Creek, Andros and is a Minister of a Church ______________________

xvi. This Senator ran in the general elections for North Eleuthera in 2017 but was unsuccessful ___________________________

xvii. She is a female Senator appointed by the leader of the Opposition_____________________________

xviii. She is the President of the Senate _____________________________

xix. This Senator once worked at ZNS______________________________

xx. The newest Senator is ________________________________________


xxi. This Senator was once a Minister of Health and from Grand Bahama_______________________________________

xxii. A former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Opposition Leader_______________________________________________________

Section IV

Name of Student:___________________ Date: ____________________

WORD SEARCH

Instructions: Please find words on the Senate of The Bahamas

(20 Points)

SenateI O R E W O L M Y T L T Q Y R J E F C O W O U E Z N D A C W J N D P H M H N O E S U O H V N H E T A A I Y M P N A K T Q O F F W J B M A I G Z P R S Y I S C W A F I B H E Q P E E R T G F C S L U G E I O O L N E I B O C R P M J T R E I C A L S I Z A P R E S I D E N T T L O L P E F L R Y I J W T Y O A P L R L A W S I F C P E K R G P S S G N I D A E R R D C N S O Z C P I C O M M I T T E E A E P W M A A M E N D M E N T S R O V I C E P R E S I D E N T

PresidentParliamentClerkSenatorAppointedCabinetVice-PresidentUpper houseLowerOppositionBillsLawsReadingsAmendmentsCommittee

From the word search select five words and write a short sentence that begins with the Senate………………………………….


____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

References

Constitutional Development of The Bahamas, booklet of the Archives held at the Senate building Parliament Square September –October 26 1979.

Carson, E. Saunders, G. (1973). Guide to the Records of The Bahamas

The Bahama Island Constitution Order Council 1963, Change in Composition of the Senate

[Personal Communication 2018 with Honourable Kay Forbes-Smith, President of The Senate]

[Personal Communication 2019 with David Forbes, Clerk of the House of Assembly Bahamas

cob-bs.libguides.com

www.bahamas.com


http://www.bahamas.com/

· web view2 days ago · historically, persons who were appointed to this position were usually...

Documents