So How Do You Get Rid Of The Senate?
A few weeks ago I wrote a piece talking about the Senate in Canada. I made the suggestion that if Justin Treadeau was serious about his desire to see the Chamber changed , he should introduce a bill to that effect.
That comment was met with argument that it would take a Constitutional change in order to get rid of the Senate. My point was then, and still remains, that you have to start somewhere.
Introducing a bill to abolish the Senate say for example in Nova Scotia, isn't going to carry the same weight as an effort from the federal house and that is where the issue would need to be initiated.
We don't need an elected Senate, we don't need a chamber for second thought or as it is billed a second sober reflection.
We need to get rid of a part of a system which has and will be in the future simply a chamber where people who have assisted a party of one sort or another get their rewards. It is for all intents and purpose a very good pension for those that perform for the party. It shouldn't be. If there is a need for this sort of reward, then it should come from the party coffers not from the general public.
Indeed if we want to make the Senate work there is a simple recipe, get rid of it, take the money and use it for purposes that are much more in line with what the Canadian public should be receiving for their tax dollars. The senate is not one of them.
I'm Meisner and that's one man's opinion.
Comments
Pay attention to Harper’s new “Fair Elections Act” in response to Elections Canada investigating the Conservatives’ robo calls conducted against voters in the last election. This new Act will strip Election Canada of its investigative powers. Therefore, if this is being done and democracy being squeezed out of voter’s hand…..it would be impossible to get rid of a Senate that is a 5 star retirement haven for partisan politics. Note BC reduced funding for BC Elections Dept. also.
If this new Act would indeed strip Election Canada of its investigative powers the Senate would have the obligation to prevent its passage into law in the name of democracy.
Perhaps one does not like the way the Senate is un-elected and partisan. But un-checked dictatorial powers aren’t that hot of an idea either.
I agree with Prince George. I don’t like the Senate as it now stands, however what is the alternative????
Politics at any level are pretty grungy . We need a strong leader and party that would be willing to take this issue on and solve the problem, keeping the interest of the average Canadian in mind. Hmmmmm.
right now, with the amount of conservative senators its like there is no senate! when they just pass everything because the conservative gov wants it passed. that is what is wrong with senate. for example bill c-10 the crime bill, when it was passed to senate they should have examined it to ensure none of the huge bill would not violate the charter, not just for simple legal reasons but to ensure the government does not fall into disrepute. we have since seen parts of this bill considered unconstitutional, violating several parts of our charter. we need a balanced senate an elected senate that does not pick political sides but works for canadians
A senate that is elected is a good idea, to start with! Senate terms should not be for life. Senate elections can coincide with federal elections or, as in the US be mid term, with half of them having to face the voters if they decide to stand for re-election.
The prospect of an all powerful PM and PMO is kind of scary, to say the least.
Get the Lib’s in BC to get rid of the Senate-they are above the law and would not have a problem.
To be appointed a senator in Canada is like winning the lottery. You get a lot of money and don’t have to do anything.
If we have a senate, it must be elected!
Senators will be chosen from districts across Canada. The Atlantic provinces will be one. Quebec, the second and Ontario will be the 3rd. The Prairie provinces and Northwest Terr. will be the 4th. The 5th will be BC and the Yukon. Each area will elect the same number of senators, say 10, and the will serve 5 year terms.
I would like to see senator elections for each current geographic area they are to represent and based on majority of the popular vote received in the geographic areas they would represent.
Tis would mean having the ballot setup for the electorate to place the candidates in order of preferred ranking, 1st preferred candidate, 2nd preferred candidate, and third preferred candidate.
Calculate total candidate popularity by the number of 1st place rankings received worth 3 points, number of 2nd place ranking received at 2 points, and number of 3rd place rankings received at 1 point. Add them all up and the candidate receiving the most overall points wins the senator election!
Why do we need a senate? It was probably a good idea way back when, but it’s become an ineffective gravy train. Get rid of it.
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