The task will take much more than isolated demands seeking a Senate for the Twenty-first century in Canada, but the prospect of achieving that goal is stronger than at any time in recent history.

For the first time a campaign by Canadians seeking reform of their Senate has the potential to sway large numbers of voters right across the country.

Senate reform is an issue that this e-zine has promoted ever since its establishment. It has attempted to push the growing computer literate public into an awareness that appointing the membership of the Senate rests within the power of one individual in a country of over thirty million people.

Over and over, other publications, other media, other groups have been pressing the issue. Now is a time when a concerted effort by all involved can bring Senate reform within reach.

An Internet campaign can be a major part of that effort. That is why readers are urged to tell politicians they want appointments to the Senate stopped. Electing members of the Senate does not require a constitutional amendment. It is a vital first step toward Senate reform. Other steps will follow.

To tell party leaders that you want an elected Senate, simply press the following three names to send your message: Martin, Harper, and Layton.

It's that simple.

Two prominent members of the Canada West Foundation, CEO Roger Gibbins, and policy analyst Robert Roach, added their voices to the call for a new Senate for the Twenty-first century, in an article published in the Ottawa Citizen on March 4.

They outline other changes such as wider demographic representation, election by proportional representation, and party diversity, but wisely add:

"Of course, none of this is easy, and some of the changes may have to be incremental."

You can help make the first change. Simply press Martin, Harper, and Layton. Tell all your friends on the Internet to do likewise. It is called democracy in action, and it will be a giant stride forward in eliminating the democratic deficit in Canada.

If you are reticent about becoming involved, the following Hansard extract from Question Period on Tuesday, March 23 may be enough to get you involved:

Hon. Lorne Nystrom (Regina-Qu'Appelle, NDP): Mr. Speaker, my question is for the right hon. Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister often speaks of a democratic deficit, so I want to know what his position is on one of the institutions that is blatantly undemocratic.

The Senate is undemocratic, unaccountable and costs $60 million a year. There will be 14 vacancies in that place by the end of this year.

Will the Prime Minister commit to starting a process of consultation with the provinces with a view of abolishing this unelected, unaccountable, undemocratic, highly priced debating society?

Right Hon. Paul Martin (Prime Minister, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, we on this side of the House and Canadians have often talked about modernizing the Senate and the changes that are required. I think that is very much our position.

We also believe that members of the Senate do very good work. The fact is that as a legislative body, it is a body that studies specific measures. It has in fact advanced files substantially, and I am sure will continue to do that very thing.

"We…have often talked about modernizing the Senate and the changes that are required. I think that that is very much our position."

"To talk about it is very much our position."

The Prime Minister could not be clearer.

To change never-ending talk into action, do what you can to make your views known to Messrs. Martin, Harper, and Layton, before and during the coming General Election.

An unelected Senate is an abomination, a cancer on the body politic.

It can no longer be tolerated.

This is 2004, not 1867. A new Senate for the Twenty-first century is essential. You have it within your power to bring about an elected Senate.

Use the Internet. Now.

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