General

Canadians believe Senate appointments are “hypocritical”

Poll finds overwhelming majority of Canadians would favour Senate reform

Two out of three Canadians think the federal government’s move to stack the Senate with Conservatives is hypocritical given the party’s long-standing bid to reform the Upper Chamber. According to the Angus Reid poll, 67 per cent of Canadians would be in favour of direct elections for senators and 65 per cent want to see an eight-year limit on the terms of appointed senators. Still, despite Canadians’ apparent belief the Senate is in need of changes, only 29 per cent think Parliament could function without it. In all, the Harper government has appointed 33 new senators since coming to power in 2006.

Toronto Star

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