Senator Mike Duffy?

[Ron in Regina]

The part of these political appointments that I find ironic is that the Conservative
representation in the Senate in Canada is still 2:1 or 3:1 Liberals for every
Conservative and people are still whining about Harper filling these seats.

All the Provinces (Yep, both of them = all) that actually got off their Duffs and
have done the job of putting Legislation in place to have elected Senators are not
the hotbeds of the complaints about these appointments. When the day comes
that the Conservatives get a majority, the Senate will become an elected body
so quickly it'll make your head spin.

For those in Provinces that haven't (or have outright refused to) put Legislation
in place to elect their Senators, your complaints are pretty hollow & hypocritical.
F.Y.I. The only Provinces that have stepped up to the plate are Saskatchewan
and Alberta. That's it. Just try'n to put things into perspective.

If the peoples of Alberta and/or Saskatchewan, through their Provincial Governments,
complained about these appointments, after actually taking the steps to have already in
place a system to elect their Senators, that would carry some weight. The rest is just
noise. If you REALLY have an issue with Harper filling these 18 seats in the Senate,
start petitions to turn into your MLA's so that at a Provincial level, you can get the
framework in place for elected Senators, so that this will not happen with any future
Federal Governments...or just whine and do nothing, but expect nothing...either or...

 

[pegger]

The part of these political appointments that I find ironic is that the Conservative
representation in the Senate in Canada is still 2:1 or 3:1 Liberals for every
Conservative and people are still whining about Harper filling these seats.

All the Provinces (Yep, both of them = all) that actually got off their Duffs and
have done the job of putting Legislation in place to have elected Senators are not
the hotbeds of the complaints about these appointments. When the day comes
that the Conservatives get a majority, the Senate will become an elected body
so quickly it'll make your head spin.

For those in Provinces that haven't (or have outright refused to) put Legislation
in place to elect their Senators, your complaints are pretty hollow & hypocritical.
F.Y.I. The only Provinces that have stepped up to the plate are Saskatchewan
and Alberta. That's it. Just try'n to put things into perspective.

If the peoples of Alberta and/or Saskatchewan, through their Provincial Governments,
complained about these appointments, after actually taking the steps to have already in
place a system to elect their Senators, that would carry some weight. The rest is just
noise. If you REALLY have an issue with Harper filling these 18 seats in the Senate,
start petitions to turn into your MLA's so that at a Provincial level, you can get the
framework in place for elected Senators, so that this will not happen with any future
Federal Governments...or just whine and do nothing, but expect nothing...either or...

You see - you completely miss the point of the "whining."

You see the "whining" as an attack on Conservatives being in the senate. Myself - I really have no problem with a PM appointing senators. I have no problem with Conservatives being selected to the Senate - heck, in the 80's the Conservatives had the balance of power in the Senate - and I was fine with that back then too. In fact, I have NO problem with an appointed senate at all - so long as the appointees are qualified (i.e. long term politicans or other public servants, that have demonstrated non-partisanship, open minded-ness, fairness and intelligence).

My "whine" about Harper appointing Senators are:

1) He has (again) thrown out one of his principles for political expediency. In fact, this action has nothing to do with the Senate (or his choices) in my mind at all, it all has to do with Harper not having any principles. If he truly and firmly believed in an elected senate, he should not have appointed ANY senators - and stood his ground on that. Then if the "coalition" got power, and filled the seats - he would have real ammunition to call for change. Instead he sacrificed his principles for political expediency. Tell me, when he makes a promise, which one should I believe? If a man, especially the PM, will not stand firm on his principles and ideals - he should not be PM.

2) Even if Harper had a majority - he cannot "force" the senate to change. It would require re-opening the constitution, and getting 7 out of 10 provinces - with 50% of the population to agree. He won't get that - especially since he can't work with others. You are deluded if you think that the senate will become elected.

3) The Senate is to act as a "check and balance" on the HoC. If you have elected senators, then the Senators will become beholden to the PM - and that would make the PM the defacto dictator of our country for 4-5years. It would be better to make the GG position elected - with the power to veto any bills passed by the HoC, and abolish the senate, than to add another level of elected officials.

4) The Senators he has appointed are hack, fundraisers, boot-lickers but certainly not qualified to act as independantly minded politicians ready to give sober second thought to legislation.

It's funny - do remember when Harper tried to pass the 8 year term limit - and the "Liberal Senators" stopped it - sure you do - most Conservative supporters like to point that as the Liberals blocking reform. If you actual take the time to listen to what they said (as opposed to listening to the Conservative talking points) - they said they couldn't pass the legislation - as it was required to be ratified by the Provinces. They didn't say they disagreed with it, or agreed with it. The only stated the truth which is that the Senate cannot reform itself, neither can the HoC reform the senate - without consulting the Provinces.

You should try listening, and understanding - instead of labelling contrary views to yours as "whining."

 

[Tyr]

Hey Praxius - don't hold back...tell us what you really feel.

Ya Praxius. What's REALLY goin' on...:roll:

 

[Praxius]

Ya Praxius. What's REALLY goin' on...:roll:

Maybe if either of you were actually paying attention to the things that have been going on in our government for the last 2-3 years, or bothered to read any responses in here for what they are and respond in a manner that shows that you want to really know, you'd know.

Ya know?

No, probably not..... moving on.

 

[Walter]

[SIZE=+2]Jim Munson - Liberal Party of Canada [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+0]Province:[/SIZE][SIZE=+0]Ontario[/SIZE][SIZE=+0]Senatorial Division:[/SIZE][SIZE=+0]Ottawa / Rideau Canal[/SIZE][SIZE=+0]Appointed on the advice of:[/SIZE][SIZE=+0]Chrétien (Lib.) [/SIZE][SIZE=+0]Telephone:[/SIZE][SIZE=+0]613-947-2504[/SIZE][SIZE=+0]Fax:[/SIZE][SIZE=+0]613-947-2506[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Biography[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+0]Date of birth: July 14, 1946[/SIZE]
Mr. Munson, a well-respected Canadian journalist, recently served as the Director of Communications to the Prime Minister. He has had an extensive career in journalism both in Canada and abroad. He previously served as a television correspondent for CTV reporting on national events in the public and political arena. He was CTV’s Bureau Chief in Beijing from 1987 to 1992 reporting on events in China such as Tiananmen Massacre of June 4, 1989. He also served as Bureau Chief and senior correspondent in Halifax, Nova Scotia and London, England. He has covered the Iran-Iraq war, the Gulf war and the Philippines.

Mr. Munson has twice been nominated for a Gemini Award in recognition of excellence in journalism.

Jim Munson and his wife Ginette live in Ottawa with their two sons.