At dissolution on March 28, 2011, there were three vacancies in the Senate: two in Quebec, and one in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The province of Quebec has 24 Senate divisions which are constitutionally mandated.
The party standings changed as follows from the election of the 40th Parliament on October 14, 2008 to its dissolution on March 28, 2011: The Senate of Canada posthumously awarded the title of Honorary Senator during the 40th Parliament to five pioneering women known as The Famous Five.
[7] The motion was introduced to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the landmark court challenge that allowed women to hold seats in the Senate of Canada.
[7] The Motion to recognize the women was introduced by Conservative senator Ethel Cochrane and seconded by Consiglio Di Nino.