Leopard doesn't change its spots. He's Reform all the way. What better way to kill it than to seat your most vocal opponents then sink them in their greed and government doublespeak?
I agree with you, but I disagree with you on what his spots really were all along.
Harper's true love has always been power, and he has always been willing to say whatever it takes to get that power. Back in the day, senate reform was an issue that he was able to use to help his rise to power. Once he had power, the senate became something that he could use to solidify his position.
On Justin;
This move by Justin looks good on him right now, but it is symbolic at best and self serving at worst.
The fact is that the Liberals gain nothing from having party discipline in the senate. They only have 32 seats to 57 conservatives. Any vote down party lines is lost, and even if they take back the PMO it will still be a very very long time before they could replace enough senators to regain a majority. If the power structure doesn't work in your favor, what do you have to lose by saying "**** it, burn it to the ground".
If they somehow could pressure the Conservatives into following their lead(which wont happen), it would give the Liberals more power in the senate.