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It would seem that The Right Honourable Stephen Harper P.C., M.P. (Calgary Southwest), the Prime Minister, is going to have more of an uphill battle than he might have thought in convincing the Supreme Court of Canada that he can make changes to The Honourable the Senate without substantive provincial consultations. All ten provinces have served notice to the Supreme Court that they intend to intervene in the Supreme Court's deliberations on the Senate reform reference questions referred to it by the Governor General-in-Council. The Government of Nunavut has also served notice that it intends to intervene, and there is anticipation that the other territories can be expected to follow suit shortly. While Ontario favours the abolition of the Senate, there are several provinces—such as those in Atlantic Canada—which would lose considerable power on the national stage with the termination of the Upper House (these provinces collectively control over one-quarter of the Senate, while they represent only 7% of seats in the House of Commons). The Governor General-in-Council has referred six questions in a reference to the Supreme Court of Canada, asking a range of questions related to what options might be within the legislative authority of the Parliament of Canada in respect of Senate reform. These include questions such as whether the property requirements for honourable senators can be abolished by Parliament acting alone; whether the abolition of the Senate requires a 7/50 amendment (the consent of at least seven provinces, representing at least 50% of the population), or unanimous consent; and whether Parliament acting alone can create "consultation" processes to inform the selection of senators. (Source)