Senate Reform
It has often been said that calls for Senate reform are one of the
enduring features of Canadian political life. The issue was debated in the
House of Commons as early as 1874 and several times after that, as well as
in the 1887 interprovincial conference with proposals ranging from outright
abolition to allowing the provinces to choose senators.
Despite all this talk of reform only two constitutional amendments regarding
the Senate have been made since 1867, one of which was the mandatory
retirement age at 75 enacted in 1965, and the 1982 qualified veto over
certain constitutional matters. As well, over the past 30 years, there have
been at least 28 important proposals for Senate reform, including two major
constitutional initiatives, none of which have produced any change.
The two latest Senate reform proposals were introduced by the government
last year. The first, Bill S-4, which would limit the terms for new senators
to eight years, was introduced last May, while the second, Bill C-43, which
would establish a mechanism to consult electors on their preferences for
appointments to the Senate, was introduced in December. Moreover, Senators
Lowell Murray and Jack Austin introduced a motion to increase the Western
regional representation in the Senate last June.
Given the significant changes being proposed and the need to examine Senate
reform in a broader context, the Senate created a special committee to
examine the issue in June 2006. The committee, which I had the honour to
chair, studied Bill S-4 and the Murray-Austin Motion throughout September,
receiving testimonies from parliamentary and constitutional experts,
including the unprecedented appearance of a prime minister before a Senate
committee. We produced two excellent reports, which I am certain all those
interested in the issue will find most informative. To read the report
pertaining to Bill S-4, please
click
here. To read the report on the Murray-Austin Motion, please
click
here.
In addition, by clicking on the following links, I invite you to read the 5
major speeches on Senate reform which I gave in the Chamber in 2006, as well
as the two speeches I gave on the issue in 1992, while taking part in a
debate on the Report of the Special Joint Committee on a Renewed Canada.
December 14, 2006 - Inquiry Proposing Model for an Elected Senate
November 2, 2006 - Special Senate Committee on Senate Reform, Second Report (Murray-Austin Motion)
October 30, 2006 - Special Senate Committee on Senate Reform, First Report ( Senate tenure)
June 8, 2006 - Speech on Bill S-4 on Senate tenure