WATCH: There have been calls to abolish the Senate for years, but it requires a constitutional change plus the consent of all the provinces. Not all of them agree, but Global News has learned reform may be a viable option. Mike Le Couteur explains.
A majority of Canada’s premiers say they are willing to reopen the Constitution to reform the Senate – and the federal government would consider the proposal.
Global News reached out to every premier Wednesday asking if they are in favour of Senate reform. Of those who responded, seven provinces are open to reform – including Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia –representing more than 50 per cent of the population.
“The Supreme Court of Canada ruled last year that the federal government must work with provinces on any fundamental changes to the Senate. Ontario is ready to participate if the federal government decides to lead collaborative pan-Canadian discussions about Senate reform,” said Zita Astravas, press secretary to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne.
The provinces in favour of Senate reform also include: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland.
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Saskatchewan says it wants to abolish the Senate, while the government of Manitoba did not reply to a request for comment. Alberta says it will wait to see which party forms the next federal government.
In a landmark decision last year, the Supreme Court of Canada advised that even modest reforms – such as imposing term limits or a non-binding election process for choosing senators – would require a constitutional amendment approved by both the House of Commons and the Senate and at least seven provinces with 50 per cent of the country’s population.
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Late Wednesday Justice Minister Peter MacKay said he’s never had a premier suggest that the federal government open the Constitution to deal with the Senate.
But if provinces took the lead, the federal government would follow.
“Should the premiers decide to get together and embark on this venture of Senate reform then we would be happy to work with them,” MacKay said at a press conference.
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair said earlier Wednesday he’s not interested in reforming the Senate.
“We know that the Senate has to be abolished. We’re going to get rid of it. And that’s our goal, and we’re going to work hard and it requires unanimity of the provinces. We’ll start with a mandate from the Canadian voting public, and we’ll take that mandate across the country. I don’t shy away from hard work, ” said Mulcair.
Last year the Supreme Court said that abolition would require a Constitutional amendment approved by both houses of Parliament and all 10 provinces.
– with files from Mike Le Couteur, Jennifer Madigan and Leslie Whyte
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