moved for leave to introduce Bill C-365, an act to allow the electors of a province to express an opinion on who should be summoned to the Senate to represent the province.
Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to introduce my private member's bill, an act to allow the electors of a province to express an opinion on who should be summoned to the Senate to represent the province.
The Reform Party's ultimate objective always has been true Senate Reform, a triple E Senate, elected, equal and effective. We can change the method of appointing senators so that they are elected.
This bill will change the method of appointing senators through an election process without constitutional revision. It will require that the Prime Minister wait to receive the expression of opinion from any province with a senatorial selection act similar to the Alberta senatorial selection act which resulted in Senator Stan Waters being appointed to the Senate.
The current Senate has not been able to perform its role effectively because the selection process has undermined its legitimacy. There is considerable urgency for the introduction of this bill now because the Government of Canada is cramming through veto legislation which will create constitutional gridlock.
I am introducing this bill today as a result of the forced vote to be held this afternoon on Bill C-110. The long range interests of Canadian federalism will truly be served by Senate reform.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)