The Senate according to Stephen Harper
Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s statements on Senate reform over the years:
COLUMN IN THE OTTAWA CITIZEN, OC T. 20, 2004
“Our country was one of the great economic and political successes of the 20th century. But our political system changed many times since Confederation. And many people think that it should better reflect the realities of a new century. For example, in other parts of Canada — the West in particular — there have long been demands for better representation of the regions in federal decision-making. As a result, both of our predecessor parties have favoured an aggressive approach to Senate reform, beginning with the election of future senators.”
REMARKS BEFORE SPECIAL SENATE COMMITTEE ON SENATE REFORM, SEPT 7, 2006
“Honourable senators, years of delay on Senate reform must come to an end, and it will. The Senate must change and we intend to make it happen. The government is not looking for another report — it is seeking action that responds to the commitments we made to Canadians during the recent federal election.”
STATEMENT BEFORE THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, OC T 17, 2007
“Let me just say that I remain convinced the country deserves a reformed Senate, and an elected Senate for that matter, but the country needs the Senate to change, and if the Senate cannot be reformed, I think most Canadians will eventually conclude that it should be abolished.”
SPEECH FROM THE THRONE, JUNE 2011
“Reform of the Senate remains a priority for our government. Our government will reintroduce legislation to limit term lengths and to encourage provinces and territories to hold elections for Senate nominees.”
SPEECH TO PARTY DELEGATES IN CALGARY, NOV. 1, 2013
“So, friends, it is time for the Senate to show it can reform itself. The vast majority of Conservative senators want to do this.”
RESPONSE TO SUPREME COURT RULING THAT HE CAN’T REFORM SENATE WITHOUT PROVINCIAL APPROVAL, APRIL 25, 2014
“We know that there is no consensus among the provinces on reform, no consensus on abolition, and no desire of anyone to reopen the Constitution and have a bunch of constitutional negotiations … Significant reform and abolition are off the table. I think it’s a decision that I’m disappointed with. But I think it’s a decision that the vast majority of Canadians will be very disappointed with. But obviously we will respect that decision.”
JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE WITH SASKATCHEWAN PREMIER BRAD WALL ON FRIDAY
“All through my political career and over the last several years as prime minister, I’ve said repeatedly … that the Senate must be reformed and if it cannot be reformed it should be abolished. The fact of the matter is, as you know, Canadians remain divided over whether they want to reform or abolish the Senate. The Supreme Court ruled … that both reform and abolition would require unanimous approval of the provinces. Canadians are not divided on their opposition to the status quo, that is to an unelected, unaccountable senate. The government is not going to take any actions going forward that would do anything to further entrench that unelected, unaccountable Senate. For the past twoand-a-half years, since the Supreme Court decision and prior, I have not made any appointments to the Senate. There are now 22 vacancies in the Senate. And let me be clear. It will be our policy to formalize that. We will have a moratorium on further Senate appointments. This has two advantages: the first and obvious advantage is it saves costs. … But the second advantage of this approach is it will force provinces over time, who as you know have been resistant to any reforms in most cases, to either come up with a plan of comprehensive reform or to conclude that the only way to deal with the status quo is abolition.”