Another five added to Senate

[cybercoma]

What makes them go along with the prime minister? Unlike as it is with MPs, the prime minister has no threat to hold over a senator should the latter not wish to follow the prime minister's diktats. In fact, senators appointed on Harper's advice have rejected Harper's own stated plans; on Senate reform, for example.

Oh and what makes them go along with whatever the PM says, is that you don't bite the hand that feeds you. The PM is going to put puppets in there because it serves his/her interests to do so. Sure they can go against the PM, but then the PM wouldn't be very smart putting someone there that would do that. It's like getting a letter of reference for a job from someone who may possibly write you a bad letter. You just wouldn't do it. You think Mike Duffy with his 6-figure job and his 5-figure living allowance scam is going to go against the guy that gave him that cheddar? Not bloody likely, despite it being a possibility.

Edited February 7, 2013 by cybercoma

[cybercoma]

There's no way anyone could force them to be part of the reform, so that doesn't hold. Another elected house is a waste of time. What we need is equalization of numbers for each province, and a change so that the 10 other Crowns in the provinces pick the senators, and not the Crown in Ottawa. That would make the place more accountable, would allow it to be taken more seriously, and would avoid the deadlock that happens in Australia and The United States.

This is a great idea, imo.

[g_bambino]

Granted we're not a democracy, but still...

Oh and what makes them go along with whatever the PM says, is that you don't bite the hand that feeds you.

The prime minister doesn't feed senators. He picks them; but, once they're appointed by the Governor General-in-Council, the prime minister holds no threat over a senator; the prime minister cannot dismiss a senator, nor reduce a senator's salary. The vast majority of senators are in office longer than the prime minister who recommended them for appointment is.

Senators are accountable to the law and the Senate.

[Smallc]

This is a great idea, imo.

At the same time, I'd propose implementing true rep by pop in the house, with 1 MP for each 125000 by province using Swedish rounding. In other words, PEI can have 10 senators, but only 1 MP. IMO, the territories would have no Senators.