REGINA – Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall will introduce a government motion calling for the Senate of Canada to be abolished.
In addition, the Senate Election Act, which brought potential senate candidates forward by the province for the consideration of the federal government, will be repealed by Wall’s government.
Wall said he believes most people in Saskatchewan think the Senate no longer serves a purpose and is not worth the nearly $100 million it costs taxpayers each year.
“Long before the current scandals which have further marginalized the Senate as a useful institution, many were questioning the relevance of an appointed group of men and women, unelected and unaccountable, potentially standing in the way of an elected House of Commons,” Wall said.
“As it has become clear that reform is not possible, abolition has become the preference of Saskatchewan people.”
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The motion that Wall will put forward reads: “That this Assembly supports the abolition of the Senate of Canada”
“As Opposition Leader, I have said I will cooperate when what the government is doing makes sense,” said NDP Leader Cam Broten. “I’m pleased this government had landed in support of our position on the Senate, and will be very pleased to take a step toward concrete change today.”
Wall stated that this motion is not a constitutional amendment but is a statement of Saskatchewan’s position on the Senate.
“The Supreme Court will be ruling on what exactly is required constitutionally to abolish the Senate,” said Wall.
“We want to wait until that ruling before considering whether to go ahead with introducing a constitutional amendment that would, of course, need the support of other provinces and the federal government.”
The motion is expected to pass with support from both sides of the house.
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