Senator Reform

Today there seems to be overwhelming support for either abolishing or reforming the Senate of Canada.  Recent events surrounding this body have suddenly made it a target for all sorts of action.

I do not believe that abolishing the Senate is the answer.  It would leave the Prime Minister-ruled House with unfettered power, with no higher body able to provide oversight to this power.  In republican governments there is a President or Chancellor who has the ability to veto legislation, but no authority has such power in Canada.

That leaves Senate reform.  Many have argued that the only option is an elected Senate.  But as Senator James Cowan points out, that has its own pitfalls.  My proposal would be to return the Senate to what it was intended to be, namely a body to reflect regional interests.  But instead of having the Senators appointed by the Prime Minister, I would have them selected by the provinces to represent their interests.  How each province selects their Senators would be up to them, whether by appointment or election.  Term limits would be in order, but one suggestion would be to have the Senators resign when a provincial government changes.  I would argue for the same number of Senators from each province and territory, perhaps 5 from each, 65 in total.

Such a reform of the Senate would once again ensure that regional interest for all parts of Canada would be fairly represented rather than having large provinces like Ontario and Quebec with an overwhelming majority as in the House of Commons.

Worth considering, don’t you think?