senators

An interactive breakdown of the Senate’s travel spending

The sooner we begin quietly accepting the government’s decisions, the easier it will be for everyone

Conservatives senators called a snap vote last night and defeated Bill C-311, the Climate Change Accountability Act, that was passed by the House in May. This will no doubt outrage the Prime Minister, Mr. Harper and his government having periodically lamented the tyranny an unelected Senate can impose.

The government that wants—on “principle”—to end the vote subsidy for political parties, finds a new way to use public funds for partisan purposes.

Liberal senator Grant Mitchell contemplates the potential possibilities and pitfalls of senate reform.

If senate reform is, as has been hinted, to be prominent in the government’s fall agenda, it is perhaps worth seriously considering what it is we want the senate to be. And on that note, here is an extensive look at the U.S. Senate, penned by the New Yorker’s George Packer after a few months of observation.

Two of Stephen Harper’s senators are now openly quibbling with the idea of a fully elected Senate—another three apparently reluctant to say where they stand.

A few weeks ago, Liberal Senator James Cowan wrote the Justice Minister requesting a correcting of the record. A few days ago, the Justice Minister wrote back and Rob Nicholson’s office has kindly passed along that reply.

Senator Elaine McCoy makes the case for a reformed, but still appointed, Senate.

Senator James Cowan cordially partakes of the ancient art of open-letter writing.

Something like 750 words on the last of the Progressive Conservatives on Parliament Hill.

Michael Ignatieff proposes senate reform.