Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

mentalfloss

No Party Affiliation

#1Jan 25th, 2013

PM Harper appoints 5 new senators

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has appointed five new senators to sit in the Upper Chamber, including one chosen by voters in Alberta.

Harper made the announcement in a press release Friday afternoon.

The new senators are:

Denise Batters, a Regina lawyer and mental-health expert whose late husband, former MP Dave Batters, committed suicide.
Lynn Beyak, a small business owner from Dryden, Ont., with experience in real estate, insurance and tourism.
Doug Black, a Calgary lawyer, as well as vice-chair and senior counsel of the law firm Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP.
Victor Oh, a Mississauga, Ont., entrepreneur and president of Wyford Holdings, a property development and management business.
David Wells, a St. John's executive who most recently served as deputy CEO of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board.

The appointments take effect immediately, bringing the total number of Conservative Party seats to 65. The Liberal Party has 36 seats, with one senator claiming Progressive Conservative membership and two others sitting as Independents. This round of appointments leaves one vacancy.

Black was selected by voters in Alberta in a Senate consultation process last spring. Sometimes referred to as Senate elections, they are non-binding votes run in conjunction with provincial elections.

Black outpolled all other candidates in last year's provincial Senate race.

Senators are formally appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the prime minister.
All new appointees have pledged to support the government in its efforts to make the Senate more democratic and accountable, including legislation to limit the term lengths of senators, and encouraging the provinces and territories to hold a democratic process to select nominees for appointment to the Senate, according to the news release that announced the appointments.

"I look forward to working with these talented individuals in Parliament," Harper said in the release.

"Their collective experience and dedication are most welcome as our Government continues to work on addressing the needs and expectations of Canadians from coast to coast to coast."

PM Harper appoints 5 new senators - Politics - CBC News

Locutus

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 25th, 2013

Cool.

Spade

Free Thinker

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 25th, 2013

The Conservatives' implementation of senate reform. Also, reduces debate on issues.

Retired_Can_Soldier

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 25th, 2013

Yep, stacking seems to be the way of all ruling parties.

WLDB

No Party Affiliation

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 25th, 2013

Well, at least one of them was "elected." Senate reform is one of the only issues I agree with Harper on. I think his plan on it doesnt go far enough but its better than nothing. Unfortunate that it will likely never happen.

L Gilbert

No Party Affiliation

#6 Top Rated Post

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 25th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by mentalfloss

PM Harper appoints 5 new senators

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has appointed five new senators to sit in the Upper Chamber, including one chosen by voters in Alberta.

Harper made the announcement in a press release Friday afternoon.

The new senators are:
Denise Batters, a Regina lawyer and mental-health expert whose late husband, former MP Dave Batters, committed suicide.

Lynn Beyak, a small business owner from Dryden, Ont., with experience in real estate, insurance and tourism.

Doug Black, a Calgary lawyer, as well as vice-chair and senior counsel of the law firm Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP.

Victor Oh, a Mississauga, Ont., entrepreneur and president of Wyford Holdings, a property development and management business.

David Wells, a St. John's executive who most recently served as deputy CEO of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board.

The appointments take effect immediately, bringing the total number of Conservative Party seats to 65. The Liberal Party has 36 seats, with one senator claiming Progressive Conservative membership and two others sitting as Independents. This round of appointments leaves one vacancy.PM Harper appoints 5 new senators - Politics - CBC News

With the possible exception of the small business owner, no-one useful in the list by the looks of it.

lone wolf

Free Thinker

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 25th, 2013

Sneaky Stevie slips another one by - on a Friday so nobody sees

Walter

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by lone wolf

Sneaky Stevie slips another one by - on a Friday so nobody sees

You saw it.

damngrumpy

No Party Affiliation

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

I don't want an elected Senate period as I would like to see them just
close the door on the place, we have the House of Commons and the
GG.
The upper chamber is the ultimate patronage appointment

captain morgan

Bloc Québécois

#10

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by Spade

The Conservatives' implementation of senate reform. Also, reduces debate on issues.

It is Senate reform..... To be a wholesale replacement of the Liberal political patronage.

Seems reasonable to me

Liberalman

#11

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

Five more Conservative boot lickers

captain morgan

Bloc Québécois

#12

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by Liberalman

Five more Conservative boot lickers

To replace 5 Liberal lap dogs.... It's a wash trade

petros

#13

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

And all meaningless.

Liberalman

#14

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by captain morgan

To replace 5 Liberal lap dogs.... It's a wash trade

So you agree that the new appointees are Conservative boot lickers?

captain morgan

Bloc Québécois

#15

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by Liberalman

So you agree that the new appointees are Conservative boot lickers?

Not at all... I was simply pointing out that the Lib senators are lap dogs (and that's being overly generous)

Liberalman

#16

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by captain morgan

Not at all... I was simply pointing out that the Lib senators are lap dogs (and that's being overly generous)

At least the Conservative Senators boot lickers have better muzzles

captain morgan

Bloc Québécois

#17

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by Liberalman

At least the Conservative Senators boot lickers have better muzzles

So..... You are then admitting that all Liberals and their supporters are herpetic, scurvy dogs

Liberalman

#18

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by captain morgan

So..... You are then admitting that all Liberals and their supporters are herpetic, scurvy dogs

I am admitting that the five Conservative Senator boot lickers will do well as long as they lick the Conservative boots at the PMO .

The Liberal leadership vote is today at Ontario Liberal News | Ontario Liberal Party enjoy

captain morgan

Bloc Québécois

#19

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by Liberalman

I am admitting that the five Conservative Senator boot lickers will do well as long as they lick the Conservative boots at the PMO .

No you didn't.. You agreed that the Liberals and their supporters are syphilitic and rabid mongrels

Quote: Originally Posted by Liberalman

The Liberal leadership vote is today at Ontario Liberal News | Ontario Liberal Party enjoy

Oh, I will... I love the Stooges

lone wolf

Free Thinker

#20

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by Walter

You saw it.

He's in Ottawa. I'm near Sudbury. My eyes aren't that good.

Walter

#21

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by lone wolf

He's in Ottawa. I'm near Sudbury. My eyes aren't that good.

How did you know about it then if sneakie Harper slipped it by?

lone wolf

Free Thinker

#22

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by Walter

How did you know about it then if sneakie Harper slipped it by?

News at Eleven.... Well AFTER

PoliticalNick

Free Thinker

#23

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by damngrumpy

I don't want an elected Senate period as I would like to see them just
close the door on the place, we have the House of Commons and the
GG.
The upper chamber is the ultimate patronage appointment

I half agree with you Grumpy. Close the doors on the senate, but also close the door on the GG. We don't need no stinking monarchy or her approval.

FiveParadox

Liberal

#24

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

A few comments on this.

As to the question of the election of senators...
The potential effectiveness of The Honourable the Senate of Canada rests with the fact that the Upper House is an appointed chamber. It is an asset to Canadian legislature and governance to have a House that is able to review matters in less of a partisan heat than can their colleagues in the Lower House. (Of course, the more substantial tenure is also a key component of this, which is another fundamental characteristic of the Senate that is under attack by the current prime minister.)

The Senate's powers are equal to those of the House of Commons, with three exceptions: (a) it cannot originate money bills, or amend them to increase appropriation; (b) for constitutional amendments, the Senate enjoys only a 180-day suspensive veto; and (c) Her Majesty's Government for Canada is not responsible to the Senate and is not expected to resign as the result of a defeat of one of its bills in the Upper House. In all other respects, these two chambers are equal.

The Senate can amend and defeat legislation as it fees fit (including budget bills, as long as it either defeats the bill outright or decreases appropriation), and it can block any initiative of the House of Commons. These powers are incompatible with an elected Upper House in the context of responsible government. You could have a situation where a budget has been defeated by an elected opposition in the Upper House (which would now be more keen to exercise its more radical powers, which have traditionally been reserved except in the most serious of cases), and this could grind the operations of the public service to a halt. We should not have a situation such as we see so frequently in the United States of America, where their legislatures are constantly locked in stalemate, threatening the smooth administration of government.

The Senate performs its functions well now. It provides an opportunity for the legislative process to be slowed down so that bills can be more properly scrutinised and reviewed than they are in the House of Commons. As appointed senators, they are also free to vote against measures that they feel are bad for the country, whether or not the prime minister is on board. And that makes a perfect segue to my next point.

As to the prime minister seeking "commitments" to support certain issues...
This is an unacceptable practice that risks damaging the independent review role that the Senate is responsible for performing. The Right Honourable Stephen Harper P.C., M.P. (Calgary Southwest), the Prime Minister, continues to damage effective and responsible legislature by precluding the possibility that honourable senators debate and consider the proposed reforms.

It is vital in a democracy that members of a legislature have the opportunity to consider a matter, to consider amendments to it, and to make a decision based on the cut-and-thrust of debate. By tying the hands of Senate appointees into supporting a given issue, no matter what the conversation to follow may be, he is attempting to erode the effectiveness of the Upper House. If there are reforms to come, then let them come, but do not attack and damage the functions of the Upper House that we work with now pending some notion of reform that may or may not be passed at some later time.

And as to the constitutionality of such reforms...
The prime minister is on shaky ground with his proposed reforms to the Senate, in any case. In a response to questions referred to the Supreme Court of Canada in Re: Authority of Parliament in Relation to Upper House (1980), the Supreme Court assessed that "it is not open to Parliament to make alterations which would affect the fundamental features, or essential characteristics, given to the Senate as a means of ensuring regional and provincial representation in the federal legislative process." The Court determined that fundamental changes, including the direct election of senators, would require the consent of the provinces. The Court declined to answer the question on tenure, but noted that changes to the term of office could fundamentally change the Senate's role as a chamber of sober second thought.

I am of the view that the prime minister is on dubious constitutional footing with his attempts to pass amendments to the Constitution Act, 1867 exclusively through Parliament. The Senate was designed to safeguard regional interests, and so the idea that it could be restructured in so radical a way without the consultation with and the consent of the provinces is ludicrous.

Mowich

Conservative

#25

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by Liberalman

The Liberal leadership vote is today at Ontario Liberal News | Ontario Liberal Party enjoy

Your point being..........what? Excuse me if I thought that topic was the Senate appointments.......not some provincial election.

taxslave

No Party Affiliation

#26

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by damngrumpy

I don't want an elected Senate period as I would like to see them just
close the door on the place, we have the House of Commons and the
GG.
The upper chamber is the ultimate patronage appointment

Be better to do away with the unelected GG. At least senators must be Canadians.

Quote: Originally Posted by Mowich

Your point being..........what? Excuse me if I thought that topic was the Senate appointments.......not some provincial election.

Not even a provincial election. Just another rudderless liberal ship in search of a new capitan.

FiveParadox

Liberal

#27

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by taxslave

Be better to do away with the unelected GG. At least senators must be Canadians.

Our last several Governors General of Canada have been Canadians, and it is a virtue of the office that our viceroys and vicereines are appointed rather than elected. To elect the representative of the head of State makes the Office of the Governor General partisan, which is what the Office must -- at all costs -- avoid. The role of the Crown, as the last possible check on the abuses of a prime minister's power, must be a non-partisan one to ensure that such an emergency intervention is a credible one.

Besides, the head of State must be represented by someone. I would rather this officer be someone who is non-partisan and who would only exercise their independent authority in the most grave of circumstances (i.e., to let Canadian legislature and governance run its course as far as it can go without intervention), than have an elected officer who would feel some democratic mandate to exercise the Crown's authority in political (read: inappropriate) ways.

Spade

Free Thinker

#28

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

Ahh, the Crown... As long as the grass is green and the rivers flow. Hey, isn't it winter?

L Gilbert

No Party Affiliation

#29

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 26th, 2013

Just more partisan rubber-stampers. The Gilberals do it, the Cons do it .... same old same old.

PoliticalNick

Free Thinker

#30

Re: Harper Appoints 5 New Senators

Jan 27th, 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by FiveParadox

As to the question of the election of senators...
The potential effectiveness of The Honourable the Senate of Canada rests with the fact that the Upper House is an appointed chamber. It is an asset to Canadian legislature and governance to have a House that is able to review matters in less of a partisan heat than can their colleagues in the Lower House. (Of course, the more substantial tenure is also a key component of this, which is another fundamental characteristic of the Senate that is under attack by the current prime minister.)

The fact that they are appointed by the PM and usually either servants or supporters of his party makes them partisan. Be real, a conservative PM will not appoint a liberal senator just like he wouldn't appoint a liberal judge to the supreme court.

Quote: Originally Posted by FiveParadox

Our last several Governors General of Canada have been Canadians, and it is a virtue of the office that our viceroys and vicereines are appointed rather than elected. To elect the representative of the head of State makes the Office of the Governor General partisan, which is what the Office must -- at all costs -- avoid. The role of the Crown, as the last possible check on the abuses of a prime minister's power, must be a non-partisan one to ensure that such an emergency intervention is a credible one.

Besides, the head of State must be represented by someone. I would rather this officer be someone who is non-partisan and who would only exercise their independent authority in the most grave of circumstances (i.e., to let Canadian legislature and governance run its course as far as it can go without intervention), than have an elected officer who would feel some democratic mandate to exercise the Crown's authority in political (read: inappropriate) ways.

Most I know don't want some foreign old cow as our head of state. If we do away with the monarchy (like Australia) then we don't need a GG.

Last edited by PoliticalNick; Jan 27th, 2013 at 02:27 AM..

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