April 9, 2008 - Prime Minister Harper rejected speculation by Liberals that he has a hidden agenda to re-open the constitutional debate in order to achieve the government’s democratic reform agenda.
He’s confused. He’s ambiguous. He has a hidden agenda. He must show it to Canadians. He must stop being secretive. He must be transparent about the fabric of this federation.
- Stéphane Dion
Harper confirmed his long-held position that democratic reform can be achieved through legislation and changes to parliamentary convention.
September 11, 2007 - Stephen Harper became the first Canadian Prime Minister to address the Australian Parliament on the sixth anniversary 9/11 attacks in 2001. Harper gave a wide ranging speech in which he highlighted Canada’s historical, economic and strategic relationship with Australia.
In his speech, Harper suggested he may push to abolish Canada’s Senate if he could not win support to elect Senators, as Australia has done.
Harper also called on Australia and Canada to work more actively internationally in support of democracy and human rights.
Our two countries genuinely aspire to the highest ideals of civilization, however imperfectly we sometimes achieve them … I believe Canada and Australia are uniquely able to serve as a force for positive change in this troubled world.
The Conservative Party has launched TV and radio ads criticizing Stéphane Dion’s leadership and the Liberal Party’s resistance to the government’s Senate Reform agenda. Last year the House of Commons passed Bill S-4 which limits the terms of Senators to 8 years. However, the bill has not become law because it has been blocked by the Liberal dominated Senate for over a year.
Stephen Harper announced in Question Period today that he would appoint Alberta farmer Bert Brown to the Senate when Liberal Senator Dan Hayes retires this summer.
Brown, a long-time advocate for Senate reform, was elected twice in Alberta, most recently in 2004 as a one of four ‘Senator-in-waiting’ from the province.
Brown will be Canada’s second elected Senator, following Stan Waters who was appointed by Brian Mulroney in 1989 after being elected Senator-in-waiting in Alberta. No other province has elected Senators-in-waiting.
March 8, 2007 - The Prime Minister discusses the status of two Senate reform bills to elect Senators and limit their terms to 8 years.
Bill S-4 (term limits) has been held up in the Liberal dominiated Senate since May 2006; Bill C-43 (elected Senators) is expected to be opposed by the Liberal opposition.
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