The notion of simply abolishing the Senate used to be just an NDP idea _ one that allowed New Democrats to condescendingly condemn the other parties who clearly had abused the institution.
Because the federal NDP have never come close to Ottawa’s spoils of power, it was always rather easy for New Democrats to preach their sanctimony about the “old line” parties being in the business for the pay off.
However, the problem for those who had the privilege of watching an NDP governments up close like here in Saskatchewan is that they just weren’t any better at avoiding the temptation of rewarding friends and family with taxpayer-funded jobs.
Of course, many voters shared the NDP’s sentiments on the Senate, anyway. After all, voters in places like Saskatchewan aren’t exactly stupid and could see for themselves the uselessness of the so-called chamber of sober-second thought.
Sure, there were those in this province and further West who have toyed with the notion of a Triple-E Senate. But the notion of an elected, equal and effective Senate died about the time old Reformers decided that they had no interest in carrying forward virtually any if the ideals they might have had to the new Conservative party under Stephen Harper.
And as long as the Senate acted in a rather benign manner, most people in Saskatchewan really thought the constitutional fight required to end its existence simply wasn’t worth the trouble.
So perhaps it’s a little surprising that Saskatchewan _ which hasn’t elected and NDP in 15 years and has virtually no interest in seeing a provincial NDP government any time in the near future _ is now one the places that seems to most endorse the NDP idea of abolishing the Senate.
According to a recent Angus Reid poll, 41 per cent of Canadians want to see the Senate abolished while another 45 per cent still would prefer to see it reformed. Only a mere 14 per cent of Canadians see value in keeping the status quo.
Of even more interest is that Manitoba, Quebec and Saskatchewan were the only provinces where a slim majority prefer to see abolition of the Senate.
One reason why this might be the case in Saskatchewan is maybe NDP sentiments run slightly deeper than most realize.
Another reason is that the idea of abolition has received a shining endorsement from conservative-minded Premier Brad Wall, although Wall’s notion of simply stopping the appointing Senators and waiting until Senators retire or die off seems a little unlikely.
Whatever the reason, this can’t be is particularly great news for Harper _ even in places like Saskatchewan where his Conservatives have enjoyed a virtual stranglehold.
The problem right is that the worst in both Senate entitlement and backdoor political dealing is on display for the next month and a half as Mike Duffy’s bribery and expense fraud trial plays out.
Sure, there may be little left of Duffy’s reputation, given the first-day-of-the trial stories of budget meetings at the Vancouver yacht club or expenses to pick out a puppy or see his daughter in a play and claiming expenses even before he was a appointed.
So much for Duffy’s line that Senate rules were just too confusing.
That said, it now appears obvious that Harper will have a very difficult time distancing himself from Duffy. It was Harper who appointed Duffy knowing full well he didn’t even live in P.E.I. It was Harper who engaged Duffy as a Conservative fundraiser.
And after just one day, it is Harper who has been splattered by the mud Duffy’s defense is starting to fling, beginning with Duffy’s claim he was told is claims were legal and well within the rules, but should be paid back anyway because of the political perception.
The long-stewing resentment over Senate entitlement has come to a boil and Harper risks being scalded.
Murray Mandryk has been covering provincial politics for over 22 years.
