Mr. Speaker, the Reform Party has long campaigned for a Senate that is equal in representation for all provinces, elected by the people and effective in operations. Our appeals for Senate reform seem to fall on deaf ears as the Liberals ignore the obvious problems in the Senate and continue to make patronage appointments.
Even the Prime Minister has begun to recognize the need for change. On June 3 the Prime Minister said “When there will be an elected Senate there will be an elected Senate for all Canadians at the same time. If we want reform of the Senate we need a complete one with equality and effectiveness”.
The Prime Minister has not yet seen the light. Canada deserves an equal, elected and effective Senate. The Prime Minister knows this but is unwilling to make that necessary first step of recognizing the democratic will of the people who want to elect their next senator.