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Harper commits to new Senate for the Twenty-first century

Since its inception this e-zine has pressed for reform of the Canadian Senate.

Time and again it has emphasized that changing the Constitution is not an obstacle to electing Senators.

In January 2004 we published "An appeal to party leaders-A new Senate of the Twenty-first century".

On December 14, 2005, speaking in Vancouver, B.C., one party leader, Stephen Harper, gave an unequivocal commitment to a new Senate for the Twenty-first century. This is what he said:

"A senate chair should be occupied by someone with a democratic mandate, and Canadians should be able to mark their ballot for their Senator, as well as for their MP. We need a ballot with senators' names, and seats with senators that have been elected.

In the 21st century, those who want to sit in the parliament of a democratic state should have a mandate from the people. The Prime Minister currently holds a virtually free hand in the selection of Senators. As Prime Minister I will use that power to establish a federal process for electing senators. Alberta has already held provincial elections for individuals aspiring to the Senate. A national Conservative government will establish a national process for senatorial elections in each province and territory on an interim basis.

Electing senators is, of course, only the first reform we need. Establishing a fixed term for senators - a term consistent with the norms of democratic office - will also be a particularly high priority. The naming of elected senators will get the ball rolling on these and other senate reforms. Once we start electing senators, we will engage the provinces and Canadian voters to start building a broad consensus on a more comprehensive plan of senate reform.

An appointed Senate is a relic of 19th century Canada.

An elected Senate, reflective of the federal nature of our democracy, will be a defining feature of the 21st century of Canada."

In calling for a new Senate for the Twenty-first century we stressed that:

"Canadian people are fed up with vague commitments to something called democratic reform, tackling the democratic deficit, giving more "power" to individual MPs. Bully for individual MPs, if they get it, but it means nothing to individual Canadians.

They see an unelected Senate, a Senate for which they pay taxes, a Senate over which they have no control, a Senate which hides behind an outdated provision in the Constitution, and Senators who have come to believe they are the anointed of government, be that government Liberal or Conservative."

Harper's support for a new Twenty-first century Senate appeals to Twenty-first century Canadians. A democratically elected Senate's time has come.

If Canadians want a new Senate for the Twenty-first century, they can show it by their votes on January 23rd 2006.

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