Pro-Senate law target of Saskatchewan New Democrats in fall sitting

REGINA – The Saskatchewan NDP says it wants the province to scrap legislation that would allow for the election of senators.

NDP Leader Cam Broten says he’ll introduce a bill this fall aimed at repealing the Senate Nominee Election Act, which passed in 2008.

Broten says he wants to take legal reference to the Senate off Saskatchewan’s books to clear the path for abolishing the upper house.

The legislation allows for elections which would result in nominees whose names would be put forward for Senate consideration by the prime minister.

But Saskatchewan has never held an election for a senator because it feels the federal government should pay for any such vote.

The legislation was passed at a time when Premier Brad Wall supported reforming the Senate, but Wall has recently said that’s impossible and the Senate should be abolished.