Senate Reform

[The_Rebirth]

With the recent senate election in Alberta, and the fact that Paul Martin will not be appointing any of the so called elected senators, do people care as much anymore? Or are systems like the STV(-bc) and systems like it going to be the push for the near future?

[kimmy]

Hello,

I don't believe Senate Reform has ever been on the Liberals' agenda. While Paul Martin might have an academic interest in the subject, I think he'd sooner jab a fork into his own eyeball than attempt to pursue any kind of constitutional reform.

In the case of Senate reform in particular, an "equal" senate would never fly amongst voters in his central-Canada power base. And an "elected" senate is contrary to his needs as a political leader. If he can't hand out senate seats as rewards to party hacks, then what can he use instead?

-kimmy

[playfullfellow]

If he can't hand out senate seats as rewards to party hacks, then what can he use instead

How about some autographed golf balls and a Canadian flag? Oppps, thats been tried before. Didn't work, but some people sure made some bucks out of that deal.

[The_Rebirth]

Hello,

I don't believe Senate Reform has ever been on the Liberals' agenda. While Paul Martin might have an academic interest in the subject, I think he'd sooner jab a fork into his own eyeball than attempt to pursue any kind of constitutional reform.

In the case of Senate reform in particular, an "equal" senate would never fly amongst voters in his central-Canada power base. And an "elected" senate is contrary to his needs as a political leader. If he can't hand out senate seats as rewards to party hacks, then what can he use instead?

-kimmy

I think that's a bit of red herring argument there Kimmy. If the people care enough about an issue, change can happen, however slow that might be. My question was not about cronyism, but rather about the political will of the nation.

[Newfie Canadian]

The Senate, as useless as it is, may never be an issue big enough for the electorate.

There are too many everyday problems for us to try to get the politicians to deal with, most notably health care.

[The Terrible Sweal]

Snate reform requires constitutional change, and there is insufficient political need and collectuve goodwill to attempt that journey right now.

[fellowtraveller]

My question was not about cronyism, but rather about the political will of the nation

Same thing really. The political will of the nation is expressed through the Liberal Party, and elected wholesale by Ontario.

Senate Reform is basically impossible, thanks to the wisdom of Trudeau.

Making an effective Senate wll require a redistribution of power away from Central Canada, and that will never happen.

It's a bitter and sick joke, nothing else.

Our system of governance in this country is an anachronism, with the Senate as the first but not worst exhibit..

[Guest eureka]

The same old ill-informed nonsense. Central Canada (Ontario) is the most under-represented region of the country in the Senate.

I have been through this Senate idiocy so often,one would think at least some would have taken the trouble to inform themselves of the facts about the Senate before weeping again.