Canada is a federal, bicameral system of government. The union of the colonies in 1867 was made possible when it was agreed that there will be a second chamber to complement the House of Commons. The Senate was the key in getting the smaller colonies to join in the Canadian union, as they feared the dominance of the colony of Quebec (Upper (Ontario) and Lower ( Quebec) Canada and wanted protection. The Senate was to be based on regional representation, each with 24 senators.     The Senate is an equal legislative partner to the Commons and laws can thus be passed only with the consent of the Senate. The Senate was to be " the chamber of sober second thoughts". It was/is to act as a check on the Commons, to ensure that nothing revolutionary was done. It represented age, property and conservatism.     The appointments to the Senate "shall ' be made by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister. Senators must male, 30 years or older; must be above all debts and liabilities over $4,000 and own property of over $4000; must be selected from and have residence of the province ( this is where the Duffy problem arose, as he was appointed to represent Prince Edward Island but he had resided and worked in Ottawa, Ontario for more than 30 years. This was known by the Harper but he needed, the well-known TV personality, Duffy as a "pitchman and fund-raiser" for his party).     It is clearly evident that the Senate was to play a very important role in the governing of Canada. Not only was it there to act as a check on the Commons, but it's consent was/is required for laws to be passed. No laws can be passed without the consent of the Senate ( that's why in 1988, the Free Trade Agreement was only passed after an election had been called and the Mulroney Conservatives won a majority and the GST became law only after Mulroney used, for the first time, a clause in the Constitution which allowed him to appoint 4 or 8 additional senators).      The Senate also had/has other roles to play. Amendment of the Constitution can only be made with the consent of the Senate.    It can also delay legislation for 180 days ( for "reconsideration"; the Opposition can also use the Senate to stymie a government as happened in 1988). Private bills usually start in the Senate. Commissions on a variety of issues are set up by the Senate eg. Media, Poverty, Health Care etc. It is also stated in the Constitution that no province can have less members of parliament tan it as senators ( case in point is PEI which is guaranteed 4 senators and thus cannot have less than 4 MPs. It presently as only 2 as Duffy is suspended and there is one vacancy; Manitoba is also affected). 
     The Senate can be abolished only with the consent of all provinces. This is highly( Quebec will not agree). Reforming the Senate would require the consent of at least 7 provinces, representing at least 50%+ of the population and this is possible. The problem is to get the provinces to agree on the type of reform and there are as many "types' as there are provinces. Some may want the Triple "E"...Elected, Equal and Effective. Some like Hall of Saskatchewan want abolition; some may want the provinces to chose them as in Germany; others may want something else ( this is after all Canada).
    Over the years the Senate has lost much of its importance and usefulness and has become "the choicest plum in the patronage basket". It has become the sinecure for retired, spent defeated candidates ( Harper's first appointment was, Fortier. one such defeated candidate); for bagmen (like present House leader Housakos); and for other friends and hangers-on ( Duffy and Wallin, TV personalities; Brazeau, off-reserve 'native' leader etc. who would be useful in selling the party and raising funds. All Prime Ministers have done this. Harper is just the latest and most blatant ( perhaps his way of getting Senate abolition).   
    Harper's announcement of a moratorium is an attempt to confuse/deceive. He has already made 59 appointments and there are 22 vacancies. The Constitution states that senators "Shall" be appointed, not " may or may not"; " can or cannot". This latest gambit by Harper is a desperate attempt to deflect attention from Duffy et al. and the incompetence and lack of judgement of the PMO and Harper himself, not only in the appointments but in the handling of the aftermath. Of course, they would like to change and control the "issues" for the upcoming election( Oct.19, 2015). The economy is tanking. The unemployment rate is rising. The trade deficit is increasing; the dollar is at its lowest since 2004; our international reputation on Rights, climate change is damaged; economic growth is 1.5% and exports is down 4.5%.
     It is written in the Talmud, that " it is the responsibility of the leader, not to tell the people what they cannot hear". In other words, do not confuse or deceive or mislead the people. 
     Harper should take note. 
 

     Diplomacy has triumphed and war has receded.
The use of embargo and sanctions coupled with pain-staking talks have resulted in the Iran nuclear deal and the world is a much better and safer place. Now the process of rebuilding and reinforcing relationship has begun. Iran is open for business and this will be of tremendous benefit for 80 million Iranians, most of whom were born after the 1979 Revolution.
     The United Nations Security Council has by a 15-0 vote accepted the agreement; the Supreme Ayatollah Khamenei has muted his criticism; the Saudis have seen the light and muted their opposition, but the Republican Congress led by Boehner and McConnell have mounted an attack, supported by the "friends' of Netanyahu...AIPAC, and gambling billionaire Adelson. The Israeli ambassador, in desperation has met with the Congressional Black Caucus but here, he is dealing with some of the most loyal Americans, who know a good deal when they see one and like African Americans from the Civil War to Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan serve their country first, unlike others, who because of religion or other attachment put America second. Jewish members of Congress, such as Schumer ( who wants to e the next Democrat leader) and Schiff have been under a lot of pressure to vote against the "deal". Time will tell. Even if Congress vote to kill the "deal'', President Obama has veto power and he will use it and will not be overridden.
     The benefits of the agreement are many. Trade will benefit. Consumers of oil and gas will benefit. Farmers and manufacturers will benefit; the region will benefit, as the fight with ISIL will be more concentrated. Iran will help with Iraq(IS) , Syria (IS), Yemen ( Houthis), and Afghanistan ( Al Qaeda and drug trade) and with Hizballah in Lebanon. The Saudis leading the Sunnis are concerned about the growing power of Shia Iran, but he Iranian nuclear programme has been put on hold for 10-15 years and so that fear is limited ( if the agreement had not been signed, then Iran would have been full speed ahead).
     Netanyahu of Israel continues to rail against the agreement and hopes to use the Israeli lobby and friends to derail it, but like his speech to Congress, it will fail. Israel has nuclear weapons and the Americans will offer military and economic incentives to them and Netanyahu knows this and will shout even louder to get more and more from the Americans. 
        

     It has taken nearly a decade, but finally a deal with Iran over its nuclear programme is at hand, with just a few minor details to be taken care of. It was exhaustive, fraught with mistrust, with opposition coming from both capitals and from Israel, but the six powers led by the United States persisted.
     John Kerry and Javad Zarif, had much to overcome. In the United States, the Republicans led by McConnell and Boehner, with sniping from McCain and Graham., joined with Netanyahu of Israel ( who was invited by the Republicans to address Congress), hoping to stop any deal. I Iran the Grand Ayatollah and conservatives made various attempts and statements, hoping to derail the talks. They seemed to have failed but they will have another opportunity, when it comes time to ratify the deal.
     Iran has suffered very much from the sanctions that were imposed and they realise that the only way for relief, was to come to an agreement on their nuclear programme. Both sides were suspicious of the other after 36 years of tension and accusations. The Iranian were still bitter over the American support for the repressive regime of the Shah, whom the CIA had put on the Peacock throne,and for their support of Saddam during the 8 years of war and the Americans were still furious with the over the hostage taking and Iran's involvement with Hizbollah and with their connection to Iraq's Shia-led government and also with their support of the Houthis in Yemen and of course their seeming hatred of Israel. 
     The election of Barak Obama and later of Rouhani, signal a new beginning. Pres. Obama had made peace with Iran a priority and though initially they had little success  with Ahmedinajahd, the Americans did not go away but decided to back diplomacy with economic sanctions and embargoes. With a newly elected, moderate government in Teheran, which signalled that they were willing to resume negotiations (the sanctions were really hurting), the talks resumed, with Russia and China, playing significant roles.
     Iran has agreed to verifiable limits on their nuclear programme, inspections of their facilities and modifications to their weapons production. In return, would get tens of billions of dollars economic relief, can sell their oil ( which is crucial to their economy), and the lifting of the UN arms embargo and that the Security Council stop describing Iran's nuclear activities as "illegal".
     The immediate effects would be beneficial to all parties. Tensions with Iran will be eased; cooperation in the fight against ISIL in Iraq and Syria; Iran using its influence with the Iraqis Shia government and with Assad of Syria and with the Houthis in Yemen. Iran will be no longer under the yolk of sanctions; will alleviate the suffering of the people; will sell their oil and bring in much needed revenues ( this will also mean more oil available in the world market and a drop in the price, benefitting customers, nations and people), and as a bonus the ability of the US to deal with the drug trade from Afghanistan using the Iranian corridor.
     The deal when finally completed will  ( as mentioned above), have to have the support of the American Congress and the Iranian Majlis. There will be opposition, especially from the friends of Israel in Congress and from Jewish lobbying groups, and in Iran from conservative elements associated with the Grand Ayatollah, but that will pass and the world can breathe a sigh of relief. 

     July 14, 2015, the deal has been reached. Now it has to be ratified. There will be opposition, but it will pass. Sanctions on Iran will be lifted and the people will be released from that yoke. Iran will sell its oil and consumers, individual and state will benefit. There will be cooperation on Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan . Iran will scale its nuclear programme, reduce centrifuges and allow for un fettered inspections. It's a great day.