Citizens unhappy with Senate

Residents of Souris-Moose Mountain are generally "not happy" as they express their opinions about the controversy surrounding the Senate chamber, said MP Ed Komarnicki, speaking after he attended a full caucus meeting of MPs and senators with Prime Minister Stephen Harper on May 21.

After several days of controversy involving Sen. Mike Duffy and Sen. Pamela Wallin, among others, the prime minister called a caucus meeting for all Conservative members, and took the unusual step of allowing the media in to hear his address to the MPs and senators.

"The Prime Minister indicated he wasn't happy about what's happened at all," said Komarnicki, noting he made the comment that he didn't enter politics to defend the Senate.

The MP noted the Commons was told the Prime Minister wasn't made aware of the $90,000 loan made by his chief of staff, Nigel Wright, until about May 14 or 15. "When he was told, he dealt with it," said the MP, noting that Sen. Duffy was then booted from the Conservative caucus, but he still is a senator.

"He's pledging to do better, and said no government will be perfect because none of the people in it are perfect," said the MP.

Asked if Komarnicki's office has been receiving calls from constituents about this issue, the MP said there have been a number of phone calls and e-mails expressing a range of opinions about the matter.

"Some think the Senate should be abolished altogether," said Komarnicki. "Generally, they're not happy, particularly with Sen. Duffy, and of course Pam Wallin is another matter. We have been getting some feedback, generally along the same lines. We should be seriously reforming the Senate; it's a serious matter and should be dealt with."

The MP said the way it should be dealt with is to toughen up the rules as much as possible, and to make sure the Senate is more accountable.

Asked if the government might look at making the Senate more democratic rather than having the senators all appointed, the MP said some provinces like Alberta have taken the step of electing their senators, and the PM has indicated he would appoint a senator that was democractically voted in.

"The Prime Minister does still exercise his appointment power, but he said he would appoint those who are elected," said the MP.

Meantime, he added, the question of what powers the government has to make changes to the Senate has been referred to the Supreme Court of Canada by the Minister of State for Democratic Reform, and they are being asked what changes Parliament can make, and separately, whether Parliament has the authority to abolish the Senate, or what would be required for the Commons to abolish the Senate.

"I think Canadians are somewhat fed up and want things changed," said the MP, adding of the prime minister, "He will do whatever he can to reform it."

Meantime, Premier Brad Wall weighed in on the issue by saying Canada would be better served if the Upper Chamber was abolished, although he noted the Sask Party as a whole recommended there be elected senators rather than abolishment.
He also said the provincial government isn't willing to pay for senate elections, and is talking with the federal government about how the elections could be paid for.