14°c Overcast
13°c Variable cloudiness
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Tories seek top court's opinions on Senate
Term limits, elections being considered
OTTAWA -- The Conservative government is asking the Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of its Senate reform proposals, amid pressure from the provinces, the opposition and even some of its own senators.
The justices are being asked to consider a range of questions on points including Senate term limits, elections, and how one would abolish the whole place. The Supreme Court could take up to two years to provide an opinion.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper first introduced proposals for reforming the Senate in 2006 when the Conservatives came to power.
At the time, the Liberals had the majority in the upper chamber and said they would vote down the legislation unless the government got a Supreme Court opinion first.
The Tories refused and proceeded with more announcements about Senate reform.
Even after achieving a majority in both the Commons and the Senate, the Conservatives did not push the legislation through as they have for other contentious bills. Some Conservative senators groused about the reforms, questioning their constitutionality.
Quebec, meanwhile, made its own reference to the Quebec Court of Appeals on the federal reform package.
Tim Uppal, minister of state for democratic reform, said Friday the government decided it was time to gain some clarity on the issue.
"Despite our efforts to advance change through comprehensive debate in the House of Commons, it is clear that action is needed to compel reform," Uppal told reporters Friday.
"We believe the clarity achieved as a result of the reference will allow debate to proceed on the basis of the merits of reform, rather than the process for reform."
Liberal MP Stéphane Dion called it "ridiculous" that the government is blaming the opposition for holding up its bills in a majority government. He said the government is likely going to hear its bills are unconstitutional.
"The Senate doesn't belong to Parliament, it belongs to the Canadian federation.
"So changing the character of the Senate requires the approval of the partners in the federation," said Dion.
-- The Canadian Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 2, 2013 A20
More Canada
- Back to Top
- Return to Canada
More Canada
(1 of 17 articles for today)
Manitoba government says Elijah Harper's body will lie in state at legislature
6:50 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular Canada
- Sen. Pamela Wallin, target of expense audit, latest to leave Conservative caucus
- Quake shakes Ontario, Quebec
- Crack-cocaine video allegations 'ridiculous,' Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says
- Tirades won't stop global warming: Harper
- Calgary man charged with murder of woman and her five-year-old son
- Senate committee to take sober second look at Duffy's expense reports
- Father and two children fighting for lives after Montreal area house fire
- Crack-smoking claim dogs mayor
- Ford allegation plays big in U.S.
- Another senator leaves Tory caucus
- First-degree murder charge to be laid in test drive death; remains badly burned
- Crack-cocaine video allegations 'ridiculous,' Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says
- Duffy bailout by Harper's chief of staff prompts allegations of coverup by PMO
- Duffy quits Conservative caucus over expenses as colleagues began turning on him
- Liberals blaze to stunning B.C. victory, but Clark loses own seat
- Arrest made in case of Hamilton, Ont., man missing after pickup truck test drive
- Quake near Ottawa rattles residents across wide swath of Ontario, Quebec
- Sen. Pamela Wallin, target of expense audit, latest to leave Conservative caucus
- Conservative senator Duffy claimed expenses while campaigning in 2011 election
- Duffy's public salary, benefits don't paint picture of man down on his luck
- First-degree murder charge to be laid in test drive death; remains badly burned
- Multiple fatalities after serious crash near U.S. border
- Canadian tourist dies after falling from hotel in Mexican resort
- Engineer charged in mall collapse
- Arrest made in case of Hamilton, Ont., man missing after pickup truck test drive
- Crack-cocaine video allegations 'ridiculous,' Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says
- Leaving Saskatoon: police mourn homeless drunk they considered a friend
- Man with no arms plans to fight seatbelt ticket, wants apology from police
- Suspects arrested in Via train terror plot linked to al-Qaida in Iran: RCMP
- Duffy bailout by Harper's chief of staff prompts allegations of coverup by PMO
- Secret CSIS source, allied intelligence cited in high-profile terror case
- Promising new way of fighting cancer
- Sen. Pamela Wallin, target of expense audit, latest to leave Conservative caucus
- Quake shakes Ontario, Quebec
- U.S. bill would give Canadian snowbirds more time to spend in the sun
- Duffy bailout by Harper's chief of staff prompts allegations of coverup by PMO
- First-degree murder charge to be laid in test drive death; remains badly burned
- Search on for living creatures far beneath Canadian Shield
- Quake near Ottawa rattles residents across wide swath of Ontario, Quebec
- Effort afoot in court to sue Canadians for illegal downloads
- 'Not looking for blame,' grieving father says of fatal rugby tackle
- Federal Court to test expedited hearings for some visa-rejection reviews
- Conservative senator Duffy claimed expenses while campaigning in 2011 election
- Grade 5 kids urge Harper to drop mean attack ads against Justin Trudeau
- U.S. bill would give Canadian snowbirds more time to spend in the sun
- Foul fascination: Edmonton plant beautiful, but stinks like diapers, dead animals
- 'Revenge of the redheads': Ginger-haired Montrealers gather in celebration
- Man with no arms plans to fight seatbelt ticket, wants apology from police
- Suspects arrested in Via train terror plot linked to al-Qaida in Iran: RCMP
- Leaving Saskatoon: police mourn homeless drunk they considered a friend
- Commanding officer of Canadian Forces base in Alberta charged with sex assault
- Duffy bailout by Harper's chief of staff prompts allegations of coverup by PMO
- An in-depth look at not criminally responsible through the eyes of a patient
- Engineer charged in mall collapse
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.