PM to bring 'democracy' to choice of senators

Updated Wed. Dec. 13 2006 11:00 AM ET

CTV.ca

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the government will introduce legislation today that would bring democracy and greater accountability to the way Senators are chosen.

"For the first time it will let the prime minister give Canadians the decision on who represents them in the upper house," Harper said in a campaign-style address to his caucus on Wednesday morning.

The legislation is entitled an act to provide for consultation with electors on their preferences for appointments to the Senate.

The bill falls short of actually electing senators. But it would give the prime minister a measure of public opinion when he appoints members to the upper chamber.

The bill, if passed, would amount to essentially a referendum in the next general election. There are currently 10 senate vacancies in the 105-seat senate, so under the proposed bill voters would be asked who they would like to see fill those spots in their provinces and territories.

"Elections Canada will oversee the vote," said Harper. "If need be we'll use a plurality voting system at first and then move to a preferential system of proportional representation."

Harper has been pushing for reform of the 105-seat Senate for years. But a complete overhaul of Senate powers and way in which its members are appointed would require a change to the constitution.

Neither the governor general nor future prime ministers would be bound to the proposed bill since it has no bearing on the constitution.

The big question is whether the bill will pass. Harper already has legislation in the works to limit Senators' terms to eight years; but like many other government bills, it's still stuck in the Senate where Liberals hold a majority.

Harper noted that the bill was being introduced the day after the government's Federal Accountability Act received royal assent.

But he acknowledged getting one passed won't be easy. He said the Liberals like the senate "just the way it is" and that they recently defended senators having 45-year terms.

"A democratically elected and genuinely accountable Senate may not serve the interests of the Liberal party; but it will serve the Canadian people, and their interests come first to this government," he said.

"Just as the Liberals opposed the accountability act, the federal budget, the GST cut, child-care allowance, softwood lumber deal, the tax fairness plan -- do you see a theme here?"

"I don't expect them to embrace senate elections without a fight."

Liberal have yet to comment on the proposal. But in the past, Liberal senators have suggested the proposal is unconstitutional and should be heard before the Supreme Court of Canada first.

Today being the last day Parliament sits for 2006, politicians won't actually start debating the bill until they return at the end of January.

"It will certainly take a couple of months and there will be lots of wrangling over it," said CTV's David Akin in Ottawa.

"Harper may not get this bill through, but he has something now to take to the polls, perhaps in the spring. He can say to voters 'look, I tried to have an elected senate, but (the opposition) is in the way.'"

More details about the new bill will be released when it is introduced in the House of Commons later today.