Senatorial Madness, Canadian Style

[dewline]

Taking a little time off from promoting comics to get just a tad political.

Take a look at what our Prime Minister's trying to push today.

Yeah, our Senate's been a patronage arrangement since almost-forever. So why do I get the feeling that putting an end to it is going to blow up in our nation's collective face, no matter how well-intended?

Opinions, anyone?

Comments

[dewline.livejournal.com]

As far as this layperson's concerned, that's exactly the issue. I'd be interested in further detail if you've a moment to borrow my pulpit for the purpose...?

[ex-cath560.livejournal.com]

Hrm, well they went from hereditary peerages to elected representatives but it kind of bit them on the arse as the Lords still block things the government want to push through.

Mind Blair and Co. are now trying to change the amount of power the Lords hold but even though I don't always agree with their decisions I like having that stop-gap - especially when a government has such a large majority as 'new' Labour did the last two tenures.

Wiki has more >> (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Lords)

[dewline.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Harper and Blair seem to be of common mind on this last point of tolerating stop-gaps of any sort...which may well be problematic for both our countries.

More and more, I find myself hoping for a snap election here at home. I know it's not going to happen until the Liberal Party picks their new leader and gets him or her installed in the House of Commons, but I keep wondering if Canada can afford that kind of wait.

[ex-cath560.livejournal.com]

Sadly it is just a waiting game - I'm just hoping the Tories don't make anymore headway and people go Liberal when Blair steps down.