Premier Christy Clark is correct in stating that the federal government鈥檚 plan to change the way senators are appointed doesn鈥檛 do much for B.C. 鈥� but it鈥檚 certainly a step forward for Canada.
Federal Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef announced Wednesday that a non-partisan board, with three members from the federal level and two ad-hoc members from the provinces, will select Senate candidates based on public criteria. She says a transition advisory board will begin selecting five senators immediately 鈥� two from Ontario, two from Manitoba and one from Quebec.
Clark, who says B.C. will not participate in the senatorial selection process, is underwhelmed, and for good reason. The stated intent of the five forthcoming appointments is to improve regional balance in the Senate, but that鈥檚 a bit of cruel joke for B.C.
The Senate was supposed to provide regional representation, yet Prince Edward Island, with a population not much larger than that of Saanich, has four senators.
The Maritime provinces, with about half the total population of B.C., have 30 seats in the Senate, compared to B.C.鈥檚 six Senate seats, one of which is currently vacant.
Clark says the Senate should be 鈥渇ixed or folded,鈥� but since the Supreme Court has ruled that the federal government cannot make changes to the Senate without constitutional reform and the co-operation of the provinces, the prospects for abolition or major reform are microscopic.
Despite its flaws and weaknesses, the Senate still has a useful role. It helps provide balance in our legislative system. It ensures bills passed by the House of Commons get a proper review before they become law.
The unelected nature of the Senate has sparked much criticism, but because they aren鈥檛 looking to the next election, senators can operate a step removed from politics.
By changing the process of choosing senators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is doing the possible, rather than wasting time and energy on the impossible. The non-partisan panel will make recommendations based on merit, and not primarily on political connections, although it will be amazing if the process can become completely free of political taint.
Many Senate appointments have been illogical; some were downright horrible. And while many good people become senators, they were appointed for blatant political purposes, or as a reward for working on behalf of the party in power. For far too long, the red chamber has been a retirement home for political hacks, failed candidates and party bagmen.
Since senators are not elected, and since appointments cannot be undone, a do-nothing senator, unless found guilty of an egregious crime, can sleep in red-velvet comfort until the age of 75.
The new requirements, if followed, would help weed out the crass opportunists, windbags and ne鈥檈r-do-wells. Candidates will, among other things, need to have a record of achievement and public service, be of sound integrity, understand the role of the Senate, and demonstrate an ability to contribute to the work of the Senate in an independent and non-partisan manner.
However, past partisan activities will not automatically disqualify someone from being nominated.
The main source of 91原创s鈥� loathing and distrust of the Senate is not dissatisfaction with how the institution is structured, but how some senators have behaved.
91原创s are tired of prime ministers appointing senators to represent the party鈥檚 interests, not to work for the good of the whole country. They are disgusted with greed and a sense of entitlement.
While Trudeau鈥檚 plan has the potential to raise the quality of senators, he鈥檚 just tinkering about the edges.
Real Senate reform must come from the Senate itself, and from senators who should earn the title 鈥渉onourable member.鈥�
