This is a column about the future of the Canadian Senate. But it begins in 1945, with the tale of Robert Arthur James Gascoyne-Cecil, 5th Marquess of Salisbury.

The Marquess of Salisbury was an arch conservative, the sort of ardent imperialist who staunchly defended the racist regimes of South Africa and Rhodesia. Yet he also articulated a key principle underpinning the integrity of parliamentary democracy in the United Kingdom — and Canada.

But it remains an open question about bills that invoke the notwithstanding clause{ai:summary}<p>In 1945, Marquess of Salisbury championed democracy despite controversial views. Fast forward to the future of Canadian Senate. #politics</p>

Paula Simons: The Senate has no authority to block legislation it merely dislikes

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