There was much ado about the appointed, unelected Senate of Canada during the month of July when newspaper headlines trumpeted the news that the man most tip to become Canada's next Prime Minister was pondering how he would "reform" his selection of future inmates of the institution.

Coincidentally a spokesperson on the current Prime Minister's staff indicated his remaining appointments would be made from lists of names submitted by provincial premiers.

In short order both men let it be known they had no intention of relinquishing the prime ministerial prerogative of making Senate appointments. Both sang from the same hymnal. Both pooh-poohed the thought, the ineffable thought, of letting Canadians elect their future Senators.

"That would require amending the Constitution, and who wants that? The time's not right!"

The only people who don't want to let Canadians vote in free and democratic Senate elections can be numbered on the fingers of one hand. They are the current Prime Minister, his touted successor, and possibly one or two premiers.

What is at stake for them is patronage, big time patronage.

"It's my turn and I'll appoint whom I want to!"

Canadians are sick of it. The time is right. The time is now.

In conjunction with the forthcoming General Election let there be a national referendum. Let Canadians have the freedom to express their wishes.

Canadians have never had a chance to express their views on an appointed versus elected Senate. Give us that chance. And when we express our views in a referendum, let those who oppose our wishes do so at their own electoral peril.

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