Maryam Monsef

[The Senate, February 2nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, we are confident that the process we have introduced would lead to a stronger Senate. I do appreciate the hon. member's interest in the process here, and I have to ask this. Where was this commitment to good process when his government appointed nearly 60 senators? Was there a process?

Whatever the process, it was flawed. I urge the member to join us as we implement a more open and transparent process for appointing senators.

[Democratic Reform, February 1st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I would hope that the member opposite would work on his attention to detail when reviewing articles with the minister.

Last week, we acknowledged that it was not until 100 years ago that some women in Manitoba got the right to vote, a right that would only be extended to indigenous peoples in 1960. It is in that spirit of evolution and inclusion that we will undertake a process to consult with Canadians in a meaningful and thorough discussion about ways to modernize our democratic institutions.

[The Senate, February 1st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, an independent, non-partisan advisory board has been established to assess Canadians against a list of public criteria that would allow us to enhance the overall functioning of the Senate. I invite the hon. member to review our website for upcoming details and news.

[The Senate, January 28th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I do not share the hon. member's cynicism, and with good reason.

The new independent, non-partisan, merit-based, open and transparent process we have introduced is in the capable hands of nine of eminent Canadians who make up the advisory board, individuals like Dr. Dawn Lavell-Harvard, president of the Native Women's Association of Canada. We believe that the presence of new non-partisan senators will enhance the effectiveness of this important democratic institution.

[Democratic Reform, January 27th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I am certainly glad that the member opposite was born and I would like to assure him that I will be working hard with my colleague, the government House leader, to convene a parliamentary committee to examine a wide range of electoral reform options, and it is not wise to predetermine the outcome of that consultation process.

[Democratic Reform, January 26th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to wish the member opposite a belated happy birthday for his yesterday.

I remind the members of the House that the conversation we will be having about this very important reform will be more complex than a simple yes or no answer. It is more complex than that.

We have a tremendous opportunity to examine a variety of ways to ensure that Canadians feel fully engaged and are able to participate in our democracy. That is why we have committed—

[The Senate, January 26th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians mandated us to bring real change to the Senate, and we are doing that without opening up the Constitution.

The advisory board will be guided by public, merit-based criteria in order to identify Canadians who would make significant contributions to the work of the Senate.

[The Senate, January 26th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to announce on January 19 the appointments of the members of the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, a critical step as the government begins the process of injecting a new spirit of non-partisanship in the Senate.

The advisory board is led by the distinguished Order of Canada recipient Huguette Labelle. The advisory board consists of a chair and ad hoc members for the provinces where the vacancies exist.

We are confident that this process will lead to a less partisan and more effective Senate.

[Democratic Reform, January 25th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the government is committed to convening a parliamentary committee to study this and to consult broadly with Canadians.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind the members of this House that 100 years ago this week, the women of Manitoba secured the right to vote for women, and that is worthy of celebration.

[The Senate, January 25th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the advisory board will be guided by a public, merit-based criteria that will allow it to assess the nominees according to those rules.

For the first time we have opened the doors and we are reaching out to the provinces with the vacancies to be filled. Again, that is real change. It is the kind of historic change that we have not seen in the Senate for some time. We are confident it will enhance the public's confidence in this important democratic institution.