Televise the Senate of Canada?

[FiveParadox]

The Honourable Hugh Segal, a Senator for the Division of Kingston—Frontenac—Leeds of Ontario (appointed to the Senate of Canada on the advice of the Right Honourable Paul Martin, P.C., M.P.¹, the Member for LaSalle—Émard), yesterday moved that the Senate begin televising its proceedings, just as is done for the House of Commons. Judging from the discussion which took place yesterday, it would seem that there is a good amount of support for the motion (the discussion has been quite short, however).

I think that this would be a good idea; I think that if the people of Canada had access to the important work of our honourable Senators, then perhaps the apathy toward the Senate would decrease. As one of the Senators mentioned during the discussion on this motion, the very fact that Senators are unelected means that decorum in their House is superb.

:!: Revision : (1) Corrected a formatting error.

 

[Finder]

I think we should but that doesn't mean I'll watch it. lol. I get my news from the papers, watching C-Pac only makes me long to be there in those seats making those dessions.

 

[FiveParadox]

I've done my part.

I just finished writing a letter to the Honourable Jack Austin, P.C., a Senator for the Division of Vancouver South of British Columbia; he is the most prominent Senator for the Province of British Columbia that I can think of.

I am, of course, urging him (and his colleagues) to vote yeay on this motion.

 

[Finder]

The problem is unlike MPs the Senate has no need for puplic approval as they do not run for election. So if a senator doesn't care, he just won't care and there's nothing we can do legally.

 

[FiveParadox]

No, there isn't; but that means that the present Government can't just overturn everything that the previous one had done. If our Senate and the Commons were both elected, then we would have a see-saw effect, so to speak.

 

[FiveParadox]

Besides that, I think that if you've read the Hansard, you would understand that our honourable Senators do care about the views of the citizens of this nation immensely (the Senate has tended to delay legislation for weeks, even months, because they haven't heard¹ enough viewpoints from witnesses and citiziens).

:!: Revision : (1) Corrected a typing error.

 

[Finder]

Paradox an elected senate is normal around the world. It won't bring causes but it will bring a working check to our system.

 

[FiveParadox]

I'm not saying that elected Senates don't happen.

I just think it's insulting for so many people to suggest that just because our Senators are appointed rather than elected, somehow that makes them irresponsible people; somehow, their deliberations are less legitimate, or that they don't care as much about Canadians.

Well, at least our Senators won't do whatever it takes to get re-elected, eh?

 

[FiveParadox]

"It won't bring causes?" What does that mean? Sorry, I'm spacing out here lol.

 

[Finder]

I don't know I can't even read my screen now. I think I'm going to stop posting before people think I'm on crack or something. At least for tonight. I'm not sure how I'm going to last this night shift. lol.

Anyhow Paradox, Senators are not elected and don't go up for re election and pretty much have this job for life. They don't have to care about what anyone things one way or another.


Man I wish I could curl up and go to bed right now...

 

[FiveParadox]

And again, Finder, you make it sound as though the people in the Senate don't do good work for Canada. You make it sound as though being appointed somehow makes them bad people, and that they're incapable of representing anyone's interests in that Chamber.

I would dare to say that you're wrong.

Read the Hansard for the 25th, and tell me they don't care. Or any other day of that Hansard. If people educated themselves on the work that our Senate does, then perhaps the animosity toward them wouldn't be so great.

 

[Finder]

No I just state that anyone appointed to the Senate does not have to worry about losing their job. They have zero credibility to do their job, as well as no accountability to the people of Canada nor the provinces they serve. The Senate as it is now is a joke. A waste of tax payers money and a dis-service to anyone who believes in democratic values. If we wish to have a senate I believe it should at least be responcible to someone, I'd like it to be the people but for those of us living in the past like you, perhaps the provinces.

Paradox, I could give a rats @ss if they are doing a good job or not as it is, I could care less if they are going around to lick ppls $%^#'$ and I was the next to get licked. I'd still think such posistions in our government should have some kind of a link to the people it serves. You had more democracy in the Soviet union with the Supreme soviet and the Duma then we do with the Senate. That is sad.

 

[FiveParadox]

Yet oddly enough, it's our House of Commons that has shamed politics to no end.

I'm quite done with this discussion if you're going to carry on like this, Finder.

 

[Finder]

The Senate doesn't have enough power to shame itself. So what are we paying for in the end. A level of government which is not democratic, which has little power and only redemable quility is it doesn't piss as off as much as the Lower House. Waste of money if you ask me.


Sorry Paradox