There are many issues that compelled me to stand for election, but high on that list was a desire to see progress made on the issue of Senate reform.
Like many Albertans, I believe the unelected and unaccountable upper chamber of Parliament desperately needs transformation. Making the Senate more democratic, accountable, and representative of Canadians has long been a priority of our government. And in the years since our government’s election in 2006 we have made attempts to do just that. We introduced legislation, such as the Senatorial Selection Act of 2010, only to see any effort at meaningful Senate reform get blocked by the opposition parties under the constraints of the former minority Parliament.
But after many years of frustration on this important issue, Canada now stands on the cusp of a breakthrough. Our government received a strong mandate in the recent election to reform the Senate and we have taken action on that front by introducing the Senate Reform Act.
This legislation, introduced in June, provides a voluntary framework for provinces to implement a democratic process for voters to select their nominees for the Senate. The Prime Minister would then be required to consider the names of nominees when making recommendations on Senate appointments.
The framework of our bill is based on a model established by Alberta, which held provincial Senate elections that ultimately resulted in the appointments of Stan Waters in 1990 and of Senator Bert Brown by Prime Minister Harper in 2007. It would not require provinces and territories to implement consultation processes, but it strongly encourages them to do so. It also demonstrates support for those provinces that have already undertaken legislation to establish such democratic processes.
In addition, the legislation will limit new senators to a single, non-renewable nine-year term, ensuring a steady injection of new ideas and abilities into the Upper Chamber. The current system allows Senators to serve up to 45 years - to the mandatory retirement age of 75 - if he or she happens to be appointed at the age of 30. These mandated term limits will better reflect a 21st century democracy, where elected officials are answerable to the people they represent.
These measures will go a long way toward making a modern, accountable and democratic Senate.
