Mr. Speaker, on March 1 this year, British Columbia Senator Len Marchand was set to retire. Did he? No. The Prime Minister asked him to stay on until after the election. Why? Because he did not want to incur the wrath of British Columbians to have another unelected, unaccountable senator who has the power to change the laws of this country.
Putting senators up for election enables good, hardworking senators to stay and will get rid of the dead wood. It will invigorate the sleepy hollow Senate and make it an active, vigorous place.
The people of British Columbia, the people of this country, want value for money. They want a democracy. They want a triple E Senate.