New senators remain unelected, appointed from secret lists

Today, Conservative democratic institutions critics Scott Reid (Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston) and Blake Richards (Banff-Airdrie) made the following comments in response to the Prime Minister’s appointment of seven new senators:

“The Prime Minister has demonstrated yet again, on the senate just as on a growing list,  that he says one thing but does another. Five appointments were promised, but seven were delivered. The Prime Minister, on a whim, still chooses the names, the number, and the timing of senate appointments. His actions show that little has changed.

“Canadians overwhelmingly favour senate elections or abolition, and deserve more than fresh paint on a tired, undemocratic process. Regardless of the merits of those appointed, the new senators were still appointed from secret short lists, created by an unelected, unaccountable board that reports to the Prime Minister himself. This process does nothing to make the selection of senators more transparent or more democratic. Whether it in fact leads to more independent senators or a less partisan senate remains to be seen. Despite the flowery words from the Prime Minister, today’s announcement shows that business continues largely as usual.

“We remain concerned that these first Liberal appointments were required to be sponsored for consideration in secret, under a prohibitively short deadline, and that the identity of those sponsors will remain unknown. The secrecy surrounding recommendations for appointment is unacceptable and undemocratic. We remain dissatisfied that the Liberal government has ruled out honouring the democratic and constitutionally legitimate choices made by Canadians who were given the opportunity to elect senatorial candidates in Alberta. Each of these decisions run counter to the Prime Minister’s claims of transparency, reform, and greater respect for Canadians.”

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For further information contact:

Dennis Laurie

Office of Scott Reid, M.P.

613-947-2277

Posted in: News