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Posted (edited)

Maybe. Sounded like you were saying judges write legislation. And I guess I assumed you were probably talkig about SCC judges who have to cotinually correct Mr. Harper's attempts at writing legislation.

And the Senate just rubber stamps legislation, even knowing that it likely violates our constitutional rights..

So I was suggesting that 'sober second thought' be done by the courts instead.

It is anyway, in long and expensive court challenges, so if we're talking of abolishing the Senate, why not get an opinion from the courts before legislation is finalized instead?

It can be done under current rules.

Harper has done it himself.

http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/blog.html?b=news.nationalpost.com//news/canada/canadian-politics/harper-government-asks-supreme-court-to-rule-on-legality-of-senate-reform

Edited by jacee
Posted

And the Senate just rubber stamps legislation, even knowing that it likely violates our constitutional rights..

So I was suggesting that 'sober second thought' be done by the courts instead.

It is anyway, in long and expensive court challenges, so if we're talking of abolishing the Senate, why not get an opinion from the courts before legislation is finalized instead?

It can be done under current rules.

Harper has done it himself.

http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/blog.html?b=news.nationalpost.com//news/canada/canadian-politics/harper-government-asks-supreme-court-to-rule-on-legality-of-senate-reform

OK, now I really do get it. I agree, there was a suggestion that with all the controversy over C 51 it should be sent to the SC right off the bat for their scrutiny. Which of course Harper wouldn't hear of, rammed it through, and already we have 2 groups filing suit against it. So off we go on another lengthy, expensive court battle that will likely end up at the SC anyway.

Posted

That's the way it's supposed to work. The courts should not be involved in drafting legislation and preventing. That's what the experts at the Justice department are for.

Posted

That's the way it's supposed to work. The courts should not be involved in drafting legislation and preventing. That's what the experts at the Justice department are for.

Once again, no one is suggesting the SC draft the legislation, only have them point out any constitutional issues that could have it sent back for changes rather than having to go through yet another lengthy and costly court battle.

Posted

Once again, no one is suggesting the SC draft the legislation, only have them point out any constitutional issues that could have it sent back for changes rather than having to go through yet another lengthy and costly court battle.

Why bother having a Parliament at all? Also, do you think them spending valuable time on all legislation will be free?

Posted

Why bother having a Parliament at all? Also, do you think them spending valuable time on all legislation will be free?

You have a parliament to decide what issues need legislation and to draft it. As far as cost goes, it's pay me now or pay me later. However if things were corrected at the outset it would inevitably be a lot cheaper since bad law wouldn't have to wend it's way through a series of lower courts to get to the SC.

Posted

Probably because they don't have to seek re election and can therefore focus their legal expertise on what is written and expressed in law.

There's that distrust and dislike of democracy again. Maybe we should stop having elections. That way our politicians won't have to worry and can show the same sort of integrity.

"A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley

Posted

They reference law instead of political agenda.

:D:lol::lol:

"A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley

Posted

They are not in the business of writing legislation. Apparently you need a primer on how our government works.

You could use on in reality.

"A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley

Posted

You have a parliament to decide what issues need legislation and to draft it.

Or just let the courts continue to decide what issues need changes and then simply change the law to suit themselves, as they've been doing to date.

"A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley

Posted

Or just let the courts continue to decide what issues need changes and then simply change the law to suit themselves, as they've been doing to date.

There you go again. They don't change law, only decide it it's constitutional or not. Still need that primer I see.

Posted (edited)

That's the way it's supposed to work. The courts should not be involved in drafting legislation and preventing. That's what the experts at the Justice department are for.

True. And most governments use them to avoid unconstitutional legislation and expensive court challenges.

Harper didn't, and nothing required him to.

That's a flaw in the system.

Politicians are not legal experts, and should be **required** to submit proposed legislation to bodies that are legal experts.

.

Edited by jacee
Posted

If Canadians want to give more power to the PMO, then get rid of the senate but I think that's a bad idea because Canadians wouldn't have anyone representing "them" because MP's always follow the leader. Since its people that made it look bad then bring in new laws for the senate and the MP's and get overseers for both.

Posted (edited)

If Canadians want to give more power to the PMO, then get rid of the senate but I think that's a bad idea because Canadians wouldn't have anyone representing "them" because MP's always follow the leader. Since its people that made it look bad then bring in new laws for the senate and the MP's and get overseers for both.

Either the government appoints the senators, in which case it's likely to choose those who favour them, or they're elected, in which case there's going to be the same sort of party discipline we have in the House. The only third way would be some sort of neutral body appointing them without the government's consent, and that would require a constitutional change.

Edited by Argus

"A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley

Posted

The only third way would be some sort of neutral body appointing them without the government's consent, and that would require a constitutional change.

Would it? I didn't think that there is anything in the Constitution that stipulates that the sitting government needs to recommend Senators to the GG. My understanding was that as far as the written Constitution goes, the GG is in charge of appointing Senators and that it is simply a modern convention that the PM recommends them. If there were some sort of agreement that they could be recommended to the GG in a different way, is there anything that would stop this?

Posted

Would it? I didn't think that there is anything in the Constitution that stipulates that the sitting government needs to recommend Senators to the GG. My understanding was that as far as the written Constitution goes, the GG is in charge of appointing Senators and that it is simply a modern convention that the PM recommends them. If there were some sort of agreement that they could be recommended to the GG in a different way, is there anything that would stop this?

Convention become written in mythical stone. This is one of those times. In practice, the GG is advised only by his chief minister. That hasn't changed for a very long time. The court made that pretty clear.

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