HALIFAX – Premier Stephen McNeil says he is willing to discuss changes to the Senate as long as the changes don’t negatively impact Nova Scotia’s representation in Ottawa.
McNeil says if the Senate were abolished Nova Scotia would need more representation in the House of Commons.
“I don’t think anyone, though, is suggesting there aren’t improvements that could be made, but what I’ve said to the Prime Minister if he proceeds on that, to come and join the premiers and have that conversation,” McNeil said on Thursday.
McNeil says small provinces like Nova Scotia are protected by their Senate representation, so any changes to the chamber would need to include a measure to ensure that protection stays in place.
“If the Prime Minister is talking about abolishing the Senate, what is he going to do for a province like Nova Scotia when it comes to the main chamber in dealing with the inequity of our representation,” said McNeil.
Nova Scotia is currently represented by 10 of the 105 seats in the Senate.
Federal NDP leader Tom Mulcair has called for the Senate to be abolished, a move that would require unanimous provincial consent. Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne and Philippe Couillard of Quebec have expressed their opposition to abolishing the Senate.
– With Files from Heide Pearson
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