REGINA – Saskatchewan’s premier says now is the time to abolish the Senate.
“I just fundamentally do not believe that we will ever meaningfully reform the Senate,” said Brad Wall.
“For a long time, I was an advocate of Senate reform, to make the Senate elected and more accountable. However, the lack of progress in this regard, coupled with the growing cost, ineffectiveness and accountability of the Senate, has led me to believe that the more realistic solution is to work toward abolishing the Senate.”
The comments come as a Senate committee took another look into expenses claimed by Mike Duffy.
Watch: Senate committee hearings review expenses
Wall believes the provinces could take the lead in forcing change in Ottawa.
“We can encourage provinces to have votes, we can start the resolutions that are required in the provincial legislatures.”
“If we can get that 7-50, seven provinces, 50 per cent of the population, I think the federal government will have to introduce something in the House of Commons.”
“Abolition will be difficult, but meaningful reform is impossible and the status quo is unacceptable.”
Wall will need the support of his party to bring any resolutions forward.
To that extent, the Saskatchewan Party will be holding a mail-in membership referendum over the next few weeks with the results to be announced in early July.
Wall says if the party supports abolishing the Senate, he will advance the issue when the premiers meet in July.
He is also considering moving a constitutional amendment motion in the Saskatchewan Legislature this fall.
“My sense is that Saskatchewan people overwhelming support abolishing the Senate.”
Comments