NDP would not have representation in Senate while pushing for abolition

WATERLOO, Ont. – NDP Leader Tom Mulcair says even though his party has no representation in the Senate, he would not make any appointments while negotiating with provinces to abolish the chamber.

He made the remarks from a news conference in Waterloo, Ont., on Friday shortly before Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced a moratorium on Senate appointments during a separate event in Regina.

Mulcair called the Senate undemocratic, unaccountable and made up of Harper’s “cronies.” He said he will be seeking a mandate for abolishing the Senate in the coming election because Canadians “deserve better.”

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The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled getting rid of the Senate altogether would require unanimous provincial consent.

Harper has said unanimity “isn’t going to happen,” but echoed some of Mulcair’s criticism when he announced the moratorium and said Canadians are not happy with an unelected, unaccountable upper house.

Harper has not made any appointments to the 105-seat Senate in the last 2 1/2 years and there are 22 vacancies.