Bryan Hayes supports Senate reform
Wednesday, March 06, 2013 by: SooToday.com Staff
NEWS RELEASE
BRYAN HAYES, MP
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Unlike Hughes and Mulcair’s NDP, the Conservative Government has a plan for a more democratic, more accountable Senate that includes term limits and senators selected through democratic elections
OTTAWA - The Honourable Tim Uppal, Minister of State for Democratic Reform, and the Honourable Claude Carignan, Senator and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate, recently announced the launch of a reference on Senate reform to the Supreme Court of Canada.
“The Conservative Government believes in following through with the strong mandate Canadians have communicated to pursue senate reform and to take action towards a more democratic, effective and representative Senate,” said Bryan Hayes, MP for Sault Ste. Marie.
This is the first time in a generation that the Supreme Court will consider the constitutional amending process for reform to the Senate.
The questions referred seek legal certainty on the constitutional amending procedure for:
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Term limits for senators;
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Democratic selection of senate nominees;
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Net worth and property qualifications for senators; and
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Abolition of the Senate.
“Mulcair says that he would like to abolish the Senate, but at the same time he wants to give them new unprecedented veto powers. The NDP`s Senate contradictions don’t end there. Mulcair refused to say that he would not appoint NDP Senators if he were to be given the chance,” said MP Hayes. “In fact, when the NDP conspired with the Liberals and the Bloc Québécois to form a coalition in 2008, the NDP worked out a deal to appoint their own NDP Senators. I believe that only our Conservative Government has brought forward a legitimate plan to reform the Senate. The NDP should stop dodging the issue and support our real Senate reform plan, which will provide for term-limits for senators who are selected through democratic elections.”
The Government looks forward to receiving the Supreme Court’s opinion on what is required to reform the Senate and what is required to abolish the Senate.
Should a favourable opinion be received from the Supreme Court, the Government intends to continue to pursue the passage of the Senate Reform Act.
The Act would continue through the normal parliamentary process from its current status at second reading in the House of Commons.
It is also necessary for seven provinces with at least 50 percent of the population to approve this Senate reform.
To access the full text of this bill, please visit this
link.
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Earlier SooToday.com coverage of this story
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newcon 3/6/2013 8:49:25 PM ReportBryan my words exactly...now can anybody spell referendum??
Who else...Newcon
I'm In 3/6/2013 8:55:32 PM ReportThe senate is useless, just ask Pamela Wallin and Mike Duffy what they do and they'll tell you they don't know. Hayes gotta go too, he has absolutly done nothing for this city.
fatafr 3/6/2013 9:02:17 PM ReportThe time is ripe and and this Conservative Government must take action to do what is fair, right and just for the Canadian Taxpayers and move, once and for all, to get rid of this embarrassment called the senate. The majority of senate sitters are made up of a bunch of unelected, arrogant, conceded individuals who, in some cases, have served hamburgers and pizzas at Conservative and Liberal rallies & gatherings and their pay off became a senate seat. The senate sits during the year for about as many days as some working taxpayers get in total vacation time, which is an absolute travesty.
Some senators like Duffy, Brazeau and Wallin have conducted themselves in a manner that if you and I had done what they allegedly did, we might probably be sitting behind bars with a free striped suit.
What is it that this Conservative Government can not see that's so obvious ? The MPs are the elected bodies who were voted in by Taxpayers to make the decisions for their Canadian Constituents. So, what's the need for a senate of unelected, unaccountable characters, to make sure that MPs know what they're doing is correct ? Something is definitely wrong with this picture. Those millions of Taxpayer dollars going to the senate could be better spent in any one of 1000 other places in our economy.
No, it is not time for reform, Mr. Harper; it is time for abolishment of the senate. Every effort should be made by the majority Conservative Party to move towards this end. Period !!!
These, of course, are just my personal thoughts on this rather useless subject.
Ricatoni 3/6/2013 9:39:33 PM ReportHear!!!!!! Hear!!!!!!! Mr. fata
BlackHelix 3/6/2013 10:02:28 PM Report@newcon
hahaha and just when I thought you conservatives had no sense of humor.
Ummmm "my words exactly"? Sure, If you mean the EXACT words taken from conservative talking points. Exact, as in Verbatim.
http://www.conservative.ca/?p=2829
Not your exact words - or Brian's. This guy is so lazy he can't even write his own statements. When I have an important point to make, I usually find it best to get someone else to write it.
"What's that Mr. Prime Minister? You want me to say what? Of course sir, can I just copy and paste from the party's website? Do I even have to read it?"
The point itself is so ridiculous it's funny, but your comment is priceless.
cjborg 3/6/2013 10:06:06 PM ReportUnless the public can immediately be provided with some sound proof or evidence that the Senate serves any useful purpose what-so-ever... I would have to agree with anyone and everyone that suggests that this branch of government should be abolished forthwith... the sooner the better.....
Far better use of taxpayers' dollars are quite evident...
Retreaded 3/6/2013 10:24:30 PM ReportWhy would the cons even think of abolishing the senate...all their friends are getting a nice pay cheque courtesy of the taxpayer. NO GOVT WILL EVER ABOLISH THE SENATE
Thim 3/6/2013 10:32:16 PM ReportThe senate serves no useful purpose, it's a waste of tax payers money. Abolish it.
Tom Brason
BlackHelix 3/6/2013 10:45:02 PM ReportYou would think the conservatives would be all for getting rid of the Senate.
I thought you guys were for smaller government? What happened?
ThinkAgain 3/6/2013 10:47:18 PM Report"OTTAWA - The Honorable Tim Uppal, Minister of State for Democratic Reform, and the Honorable Claude Carignan, Senator and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate, recently announced the launch of a reference on Senate reform to the Supreme Court of Canada."
Honorable my Ass, show them the door, there just bleeding the taxpayers.
newcon 3/6/2013 10:55:40 PM ReportTypical rant from the left. Slander, defame and spew without facts. These are very familiar templates right out of the socialist/communist playbook. If any of you political wizards would like to have an informed and educated debate please feel free to announce the time and venue of your choice but first please get informed and educated so as to not feel like suicide might be your only option half way through the debate.
Guess who...and no I don't have anything to do with music.
newcon 3/6/2013 10:58:23 PM ReportHerman Goering swallowed a cyanide capsule and accordingly it worked quite well...just so you know....in case any of you wish to prepare for the debate.
All the best.
sunnie 3/7/2013 3:22:12 AM ReportGet rid of the senate.. We have no use of them. We are fed up with paying for something that is worth nothing.
sunnie 3/7/2013 3:27:00 AM ReportLmao Danno...:)
KFM 3/7/2013 8:03:26 AM ReportAlone with thisthe PM should be limited to 2 terms and cabinet ministers after reaching a post as well. The longer they stay the more the holier than thow atitude sets in, case in point Harper now. As far as for Brian, opening his mouth again but doesn't really say anything other than what Harper wants. No backbone to stick up for the north!
crashed13 3/7/2013 8:28:37 AM ReportAlways thought it was odd that a body of unelected people are involved in passing laws and bills in a Democratic government system.
Qualifications to be a senator is just to be a insider of the current government. Its really just a very HIGH PAYING form of welfare.
BlackHelix 3/7/2013 8:55:38 AM Report@newcon
You still didn't answer my question. What happened to your "smaller government"? I thought you guys LOVED small government?
You don't see a contradiction there?
danno2257 3/7/2013 1:34:06 PM ReportNEW CON HAS BLINDERS ON!
I'm In 3/7/2013 5:01:28 PM ReportHey newcon, your so smart fill us in, we can comment on this new article just like you.
danno2257 3/7/2013 6:07:36 PM ReportNEWY do you need your diapers changed,can you give us more lip service !
danno2257 3/7/2013 7:10:54 PM ReportWHATS A MATTER WIMPY NEW CON?
danno2257 3/7/2013 7:14:01 PM ReportWHIMPY NEW CON can you please degrade me for my spelling of whimpy?
Big specks no wammies 3/8/2013 10:13:35 AM Report@NEWCON
WHY IS IT THAT WHEN ANYONE IS AGAINST GOVERNMENT POLICIES, OR QUESTIONS THE VALIDITY OF COURSE OF ACTION, YOU RANT ABOUT COMMUNISM AND LEFT WING IDEOLOGY??
Big specks no wammies 3/8/2013 10:22:35 AM Reportwelllllll!!!
THE GIRLS ARE AT THE BINGO
AND
THE GUYS ARE GETTING STINK-0-
WE THINK NO MORE OF INCO
'CAUSE IT'S
SATURDAY TONIGHT!!!!!!!
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