Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
I am pleased to speak today to the topic of Senate reform. I agree with some of what Ms. Guay said. People living in the different regions have no idea who their senator is. However, these senators have been appointed. The sole requirement for appointment is that they own land. Frankly, I don't know which senator represents my region of Chaudière-Appalaches.
An elected Senate would pose a threat to the institution. Senators would no longer feel any attachment for the institution as such. They would be accountable to the people who elected them. Their situation would be radically different. They would have to explain their role, actions and positions on bills put forward by the House of Commons, bills that the Senate could amend at any time.
In terms of Canadian representation, do you believe, Mr. Van Loan, that the regions would be better represented by an elected Senate? Perhaps communities that often are more concentrated in certain regions would have a better chance of being represented by a senator. I think they would. What do you think?