Let Tories try to use Senate

Re Liberals spot possible roadblock by Tory senators, Nov. 6 There is fear that the agenda of the newly elected Liberal government might be stymied by the Conservative Senate the same way that Barack Obama’s agenda was stopped cold by the Republicans in the U.S. Well, watch the public intercede now.

Canadians have spoken and are now engaged. No longer will Canadians watch their country thwarted.

Canadians were sleeping but now we are awake and ready to act to protect the democratic institutions in our country.

Just watch us! Bonnie Bacvar, North York

It would be prudent for the Senate to expeditiously review and pass legislation approved by our newly elected Parliament. To do otherwise would be not only irresponsible but potentially self destructive. Bill Wensley, Cobourg, Ont.

Re Appoint defeated NDP MPs to Senate, Letter Nov. 2 John Kelly’s suggestion that a whole host of defeated NDP candidates ought to be appointed to the Senate just continues the Harper regime’s habit of doing the same thing.

I, for one, support Justin Trudeau’s plan to appoint a non-partisan group to make recommendations for Senate appointments. The Senate was never envisaged as a warehouse for defeated candidates. It was supposed to be a place of sober second thought, a place where any legislative excesses perpetrated by the elected House of Commons could be controlled.

For the Senate to function as the Fathers of Confederation intended it needs to be free of partisan politics, independent and not kowtowing to the government of the day. Bob MacMorran, Little Britain, Ont.