It is the choicest plum in the patronage basket. It was to be the "old folks home" for retired, spent, defeated candidates, party loyalists and friends and bagmen of the governing party. A place where they could relax in the plush Red Chamber and dream of the past. The Senate was created to be a check on the House of Commons; to be the chamber "of sober second thoughts" and in the beginning that was what it did as it acted as a bastion, protecting business, property and conservative values and institutions. The Senate share legislative power with the House of Commons. It has to agree before legislation become law and it usually rubber-stamp everything sent to it by the Commons. On rare occasions it may delay legislation or even refuse to pass it as was the case with the Free Trade Agreement with the USA, which forced Mulroney to dissolve Parliament in 1988, in what became known as the Free Trade election. In the case of the Goods and Services Tax, Mulroney appointed 8 additional senators to overcome the Liberals, which had again used their majority in the Senate to stop the bill.It was all contained in the qualifications need to be a senator in 1867......owning property over $4000 in value; being above all debts and liabilities of over $4000; male of at least 30 years; and be a resident of the province from where he was chose. Furthermore, senators are required to attend at least once a year in order to remain in good standing and be paid ( back in the 90s, the issue came up as one senator had not attended a single session; he was living in Mexico). Senators were selected to represent the four regions of Canada....24 from each, with Ontario getting 24; Quebec 24; 6 each for the 4 western provinces and 10 for N.B; 10 N.S and 4 for PEI ( Newfoundland got 6 when it joined the union and 1 each for Yukon. NWT and Nunavut). They were a privileged bunch and felt entitled ( in the Sky Shop scandal, Senator Giguiere, when asked why only certain people were appointed, replied "what do you want? Salvation Army types?").
Some senators became very powerful and wealthy, by accepting directorships of companies ( at one point during the 90s, 24 senators collectively held on more than 100 directorships...the senate handled a lot of private bills that affected businesses). The line between their senate functions and their business responsibilities became very blurred and it is only now that these practices have come under scrutiny.
The investigation into Duffy, Wallin, Brazeau housing, travel and other expenses has opened up a Pandora's box and the entire senate membership ( even those who have retired) are being subjected to close scrutiny by the Auditor General and many are facing legal problems, so much so that the RCMP have been called in to check into the "expenses" of at least 9 with 30 more senators likely to be included. It a messy embarrassment.
This was all brought about by the excessive housing and travel claims. At the heart of it is residency. Senators are expected to be resident of the province which they represent, but when Harper appointed Duffy ( who had been living and working in Ontario, specifically in Ottawa, since the 70's and this was well known) as a senator from PEI and he claimed that his principal residence was PEI which he rarely visited ( he did make some travel claims for funeral and birthday), the jig was up and was made worse when a cheque for $90,000 was given by one of Harper's chief adviser to Duffy. Other senators were drawn in, when the Auditor General was asked to investigate.
There is now renewed call to abolish the Senate from many and especially the NDP (which has never had any senators and had always questioned the usefulness of the senate). This will be almost impossible to do as the consent of all the provinces would be needed. Quebec is on record as being totally opposed and others have shown no inclination to reopen a constitutional debate ( especially after the 1995 Charlottetown Accord was defeat.
Reform is needed and this can be done with the consent of 7 provinces, representing at least 50% of the population. There have been many suggestions, including electing senators ( this is opposed because it may cause a US-type gridlock); then there is the Triple E idea of the former Reform Party....equal, elected and effective.....Quebec will not agree to this and neither will PEI but the other 8 may be willing but may have demands of their own); there is the German model, where the upper house...the Bundesrat is chosen by the landers/states, in proportion to their population.
Will there still be interest after the present furor is over? What if there is a change of government?. The NDP is clear that it wants changes, even abolition and may be willing to talk to the provinces. The Liberals, like their leader is dithering and the REF/CONS are saying nothing.
This is Canada and here , we usually set up a commission to study things and then shelve the reports.
Some senators became very powerful and wealthy, by accepting directorships of companies ( at one point during the 90s, 24 senators collectively held on more than 100 directorships...the senate handled a lot of private bills that affected businesses). The line between their senate functions and their business responsibilities became very blurred and it is only now that these practices have come under scrutiny.
The investigation into Duffy, Wallin, Brazeau housing, travel and other expenses has opened up a Pandora's box and the entire senate membership ( even those who have retired) are being subjected to close scrutiny by the Auditor General and many are facing legal problems, so much so that the RCMP have been called in to check into the "expenses" of at least 9 with 30 more senators likely to be included. It a messy embarrassment.
This was all brought about by the excessive housing and travel claims. At the heart of it is residency. Senators are expected to be resident of the province which they represent, but when Harper appointed Duffy ( who had been living and working in Ontario, specifically in Ottawa, since the 70's and this was well known) as a senator from PEI and he claimed that his principal residence was PEI which he rarely visited ( he did make some travel claims for funeral and birthday), the jig was up and was made worse when a cheque for $90,000 was given by one of Harper's chief adviser to Duffy. Other senators were drawn in, when the Auditor General was asked to investigate.
There is now renewed call to abolish the Senate from many and especially the NDP (which has never had any senators and had always questioned the usefulness of the senate). This will be almost impossible to do as the consent of all the provinces would be needed. Quebec is on record as being totally opposed and others have shown no inclination to reopen a constitutional debate ( especially after the 1995 Charlottetown Accord was defeat.
Reform is needed and this can be done with the consent of 7 provinces, representing at least 50% of the population. There have been many suggestions, including electing senators ( this is opposed because it may cause a US-type gridlock); then there is the Triple E idea of the former Reform Party....equal, elected and effective.....Quebec will not agree to this and neither will PEI but the other 8 may be willing but may have demands of their own); there is the German model, where the upper house...the Bundesrat is chosen by the landers/states, in proportion to their population.
Will there still be interest after the present furor is over? What if there is a change of government?. The NDP is clear that it wants changes, even abolition and may be willing to talk to the provinces. The Liberals, like their leader is dithering and the REF/CONS are saying nothing.
This is Canada and here , we usually set up a commission to study things and then shelve the reports.
