Supreme Court Senate hearings wrap up Thursday

OTTAWA – Three days of hearings that could determine the fate of the scandal-plagued Senate are to wrap up today at the Supreme Court in Ottawa.

The top court is to hear a presentation today from two “friends of the court” appointed by the justices to give them impartial advice.

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That’s to be followed by a brief final submission from the federal government.

Alberta and Saskatchewan are backing the federal government’s argument that it should be relatively easy to reform — or even abolish — the Senate.

The federal government maintains it can unilaterally impose term limits and create a “consultative election” process for choosing senators, without any provincial input.

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The vast majority of provinces maintain the hurdles should be set much higher.

They say changes should require the approval of seven provinces with 50 per cent of the population, and any move for abolition of the Senate should require unanimous consent.

The Supreme Court justices are expected to take six months to a year to mull over all the arguments before issuing a ruling.