Good morning, South Bayview. Out this week among Parliament Hill platitudes is the view that Canada’s auditor general, Michael Ferguson (left) will be trying to restore public confidence in the Senate when he launches his thoroughgoing review of how its members spend money. Mr. Ferguson is said to be ready to dig for dirt and his decision to release information as he gets it seems to coincide suspiciously with the General Election of 2015. Could it be that Conservative strategists think a sure-fire way to propel the party back into office would be a sinkhole under the Senate? This enormously popular platform might even eclipse the sunshine of Justin Trudeau and his new Ministry of Marijuana. Okay not fair, but blowing out the unelected, redundant and costly upper house would look awfully good to most voters. Then we have the mandate of the Democracy Minister Pierre Polliviere. His job is to persuade the Supreme Court that the elected House of Commons can send Senators on a permanent vacation without the agreement of all ten provinces. Please. Countries like New Zealand and Sweden have long since abolished their upper chambers in the interest of democracy and efficient government. Sober second thought? Let the voters assume that task. Previous Post
