blevkog

Anyone else curious about the lack of informatio about what happens to the people already in the senate? I'm presuming here that the elections will be to fill vacant seats only, until the incumbents have all withered away, which will make for yearly national election campaigns by my reckoning. Or am I reading this wrong? I have no problem with electing senators but I'm curios to see how it gets pulled off. I'm also curios to see if they're made a viable part of government instead of the loyalty reward that are are now.

I'm sure that these elections will only be to fill Senate vacancies. I think that the way the rules are written there is almost no way to actually remove a senator once in place. I am equally sure that any changes to those rules would have to be passed by the Senate. Best of luck with that.

Actually, I think they're going to be Provincial Elections, since the Senate seats are divided between the Provinces.

Yes, Dan they will.

As originally created, the role of the Senate was essentially to protect the "rights" of the landholders and wealthy from the "rabble". (No, I'm not slagging one of my favorite websites ;)

However, it also has a second effect that is not altogether unhealthy for a democracy. Because the office-holders are not beholden to the electorate or really to any political party at all (they already have their perks, right?) they often act as a moderator on legislation. Many pieces of legislation are modified by the Senate before approval and return to Parliament. In doing this, the Senate can act as a non-politicized governing body on the Parliament. Of course, Parliament can, and sometimes does over-ride Senate modifications, but that's a different story.

That is a somewhat idealized model of how the Senate can benefit a democratic state. I personally am with you, uk4ua, I don't think we need it. A second elected body could produce legislatitve gridlock in which one party or block have control of one House and PMO and another the Senate. This would probably just get worse if we elect members for appointment to the Senate, because we would politicize that body even more than it is now.

Getting rid of it wouldn't cause me to lose any sleep. While I like the idea of the "sober second look" that government claims the senate is there for, like the rest of you I can't see it not turning into a partisan body that holds up legislation based on party membership. As I stated before, at the moment its primarily a reward for loyalty and serves no useful function. I think that Harpers decision here is solely to keep the west, specifically Alberta, on- side What does annoy me is the thought of election budgets for a body with all the power and usefulness of the local high school student council.

The Fathers of Canada’s Deconfederation ...

Do yourself a favour: dig out the Robert Harris painting of the 37 Fathers of Confederation. Now place before you photos of Stephen Harper and each Premier.

These are the new Founding Fathers of Canadian Deconfederation. Some artist should start work on a painting similar to that of Harris, to record for posterity the faces of these new Fathers.

Why? Because these men are now busily and stealthily engaged in the constructive deconfederation of Canada, under the guise of Harper’s “New Federalism” and “fiscal imbalance.”

They are avoiding open discussion in Parliament and their respective Provincial legislatures, because they know that there would be an outcry from citizens should it become apparent – through such debate – that these men are trying to do in private rooms, that which could not survive in the light of day. They are agreeing – without mandates from their respective voters – to change the nature of our confederation in such a way as to significantly weaken the bonds that bind this country together.

You don’t believe me? Then google fiscal imbalance harper. Read the commentaries you will find referred to there. Read Sinclair Stevens. Read Andrew Coyne.

Listen to the modern Canadian Paul Revere’s, riding furiously to warn citizens, crying One if by open debate, two if by stealth.

And then do your part as a citizen of Canada: Light two lamps, to signal to the body politic that their Confederation is being stolen from them by stealth.

Sad, this Harper guy has got to go. He's a categorical liar, and the identity theft of the real conservative party is loathsome. We will never achieve an elected senate in Canada as it would lead to two regionally elected bodies, and 1 would obviously become redundant.
Harper has his foot in his mouth already. He doesn't even have to speak to do it.