The Senate is the biggest political scandal in Canada, and has been since the institution of the state in 1867. It is a total negation of democracy. Its members are unelected.

One person, one individual, in a population of more than 32,000,000, can say who will sit as members of the Senate.

Canadians are deprived of the right to a Senate electoral franchise. All Canadians, except one, are deprived of the right to choose whom they want to represent them in the Senate.

That this situation has been allowed to continue for so long almost beggars belief. But it does continue. The scandal continues.

Do Canadians want it to continue? Have they been consulted?

True, Senate reform has figured in political party manifestoes in the past, mixed in with a host of other issues, and quickly buried once an election ended.

Proper consultation on Senate reform can be achieved, quickly, efficiently, and cheaply, by means of a referendum-a single sheet of paper distributed with the election ballots in the forthcoming General Election-with one simple question on it. "Do you want an elected Senate?" And a box with answers for "Yes" or "No". Canadians deserve to be heard.

A government which votes against holding such a referendum, included in a motion of non confidence, deserves to be defeated.

News reports have indicated that in its present crisis the Liberal Party plans to buy votes in the House of Commons by offering Senate seats to members of the Official Opposition. If true, this is Tammany Hall tactics at their worst.

It is time for a referendum on the Senate.

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