Canuck Politics

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff says he does not support Senate reform that includes an elected Senate.

I think an unelected Senate strikes many people as an anomaly in a modern age. But think about it a different way … A system where we are able to appoint really great people who might not be able to win an election.  I mean there is a case to be made … a theoretical case, for an unelected Senate.

- Michael Ignatieff

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.

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.

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 dominated Senate since May 2006; Bill C-43 (elected Senators) is also expected to be opposed by the Liberal Party which would lose its majority control over the upper chamber.