OTTAWA — Legislation introduced on Tuesday aims to inject more democracy into the selection of senators, the vast majority of whom are appointed without any input from voters.
The Senatorial Selection Act would allow the provinces to establish a system under which voters determine nominees for the 105-seat upper chamber. According to the new legislation, however, provinces would not be forced to take part in the process.
“Our government believes Canadians should have a say in who represents them in the Senate,” Conservative Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu said in a statement.
“The prime minister appointed the only elected senator currently sitting in the Senate and will continue to appoint senators chosen through democratic selection processes.”
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Given the blatant patronage in senate appointments displayed by previous governments this legislation should be difficult to attack. I expect to be amused by Liberal attempts to preserve their traditional goody bag.
First corporate donations. Now this. Next public funding. How ever will they generate support?