Sunday, September 20, 2009

Tories On Senate Reform

Stockwell Day on Senate Reform, August 31st, 2009:

To deal with the problem of it being a life-long position the Prime Minister takes an innovative approach. Whomever the Prime Minister appoints must vow to step down after 8 years, no exceptions, no excuses. So each person he recently appointed, along with the ones he appointed earlier, will be done in 8 years. That's a major change.

Newly minted Tory Senator Jacques Demers, September 19th, 2009:

Demers expects to spend the next 10 years in the Senate, and wants to learn from his colleagues while keeping his own opinions.

Either Mr. Demers has already broken his vow, or was exempted from it. Or the very existence of the "vow" is a bunch of hoo-hah meant to con Tory supporters who care about this kind of stuff.

Stockwell Day on Senate Reform, August 31st, 2009:

One more thing about the latest round of Senate appointees, each one has agreed to work hard from inside the Senate to push for reform. That means when the next federal election is called we may see senators stepping down from the Red Chamber and running for office.

Newly minted Tory Senator Jacque Demers, September 19th, 2009:

"I just did not see myself going in different places shaking hands. I am not a politician." That's why, Demers said, he won't run for office if senators are elected.

Senate Reform--a poor joke at best.

3 comments:

Robert McClelland said...

Take a look at this too. I don't see an 8 year term limit affixed to the retirement dates of Harper's appointees.

A Eliz. said...

Eight years is too American,...perhaps 10 or 12 ....or 5 for Harpers' Senators

Ti-Guy said...

Of course the term commitments are complete nonsense. Like every other promise Harper makes (fixed election dates) the point is to break it, not even in exceptional circumstances, but at the first opportunity.

Screwing with their adversaries is what Conservatives live for. They get a rush from it.