Presumptuous Cons Need Canadian Consent to Change Senate
The all knowing provincial premiers, having examined Harper’s senate reform plans, are now stating that approval must first be obtained from the Canadian people before any “reforming” can begin. CanWest reports,
I see the Cons have found a new smoke and mirrors issue they hope will detract from the F’s they keep receiving on international scales of government competency in policy development and execution. Any decision to reform the Senate or our election systems is definitely a referendum issue. This would be a historic change in our country’s governing systems and if there is one thing Canadians care deeply about it is how effectively, fairly, and honestly their government functions.
It is no different than the issue of proportional representation changes to our election systems like MMP or STV. Any serious potential transformations to these systems must first be supported by the majority of Canadians through a referendum. Any change would be a very serious undertaking and must be thoroughly debated by Canadians, first at their dinner tables and then through formal polls.
Angus Reid’s latest online poll indicates Canadians think the Dion attack ad hurts Harper more than it hurts Dion. To be honest, I am very hesitant about even quoting/linking online polls, but it’s a new poll and it goes with my post so here goes,
47 per cent of respondents think the ad is not a fair and accurate representation of Dion.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
June 6th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Agreed…..though there should be a debate over a fairly long period of time before any referendum. Do we even need a Senate at all? Why can’t we build checks on unbridled power into the one legislative chamber by using some form of region-based proportional representation?
If we find, after some debate, that isn’t a happning thing, then how many Senators per province? What power will the Senate have? A toothless Senate is worse that a waste of money, it’s a waste of time, too.
If Canada is going to have a Senate at all, look at the Australian Senate – 6 per state, proportionally elected, and the Senate can stop any legislation dead in its tracks.
A Senate that can’t do that, isn’t worth having.
June 6th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
I don’t agree with the Senate being able to stop legislation. I feel the Senate should play more of an advisory role in Canada. We already elect MP’s who are supposed to stop bad legislation….at least in a minority situation anyways.