It's not easy being a Senator

[FiveParadox]

Quebec voted to eliminate its upper house a few years back. So it can be done.

Unanimous consent is childish, it is a sign of an immature political culture because it smacks of inequality and privilege. Which is what the Senate and Crown are. "My work is special, no one can change it."

Of course it can be done.

When the Parliament of Québec abolished the Legislative Council, this was through a simple amendment to the provincial constitution. The process for the abolition of the Senate would be a much more comprehensive one, and would require the consent of the Senate, the House of Commons, and all ten provincial legislatures. This is not childish at all—rather, it is to ensure that the Canadian people's regional interests are defended.

 

[tay]

"When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not guilty.'" -- U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, 1858-1919



Canada owes Senator Mike Duffy an enormous debt of gratitude -- and I'm not kidding.

Who else but excommunicated-Conservative Duffy could single-handedly put the issue of reforming or abolishing the Senate at the top of the national agenda?

Who other than Duffy has created the worst crisis for the Conservative government since it was first elected in 2006?
The Duffster has caused more headaches for the Tories than even the Bloc Quebecois separatists, for goodness sake!

And he did so simply by filing outrageously inappropriate housing and travel expenses, and then getting Prime Minister Stephen Harper's top staff person to give him the cash to pay them back when caught.

When that came out, chief of staff Nigel Wright had to resign -- talk about Duffy genius!

But even more, it was ex-TV reporter Duffy alone who highlighted gross hypocrisy and an egregious broken promise, by reminding Canadians that when Harper and many Conservative MPs were Reform Party members they wanted a Triple E Senate -- elected, effective and equal.

But instead of pursuing a reformed Senate, Harper gave us one that is Triple U -- unelected, unethical and untenable.


more

The Tyee – Defending Mike Duffy