[2] By convention, the speaker of the Senate is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister.

[3] The speaker of the Senate takes precedence only after the monarch, the governor general, members of the Canadian Royal Family, former governors general and their spouses, the prime minister, former prime ministers, and the chief justice of Canada in the Canadian Order of Precedence.

[citation needed] Canada has more recently departed from the traditions of the House of Lords, notably since 1991, when new rules for the Senate were adopted.

[citation needed] The position was preceded by the speaker of the Legislative Council of the Province of Canada.

However, with the 1991 amendments to the Standing Orders and Guidelines that govern the Senate of Canada, the speakership has generally begun to assert its right to intervene, where appropriate, without being prompted to do so.

[citation needed] As a high-ranking individual on the order of precedence, the speaker of the Senate often receives visiting heads of state and heads of government — this role is not merely ceremonial; the speaker is a real delegate and representative of Canada abroad.