General

Tories to push for Senate term limits, elections

Government will introduce legislation for Senate reform in June

Just weeks after causing an uproar for appointing three defeated Conservative election candidates to the Senate, the Harper government has announced it will push to reform the chamber. The Conservatives will introduce legislation in June that will establish term limits and allow the provinces to set up Senate elections. The term limits will also affect senators already sitting in the chamber.  As the Official Opposition, the NDP’s stance is that the Senate should be abolished completely, rather than updated. Currently, the PM has the power to appoint senators, and they are allowed to hold their seats until the age of 75. The legislation is not expected to challenge the regional representation in the Senate, since to do so would require a Constitutional amendment. 

The Globe and Mail

 

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