...which would force the government to appoint bilingual Supreme Court Justices. Here is Manitoba Senator Donald Neil Plett, a Harper appointee:
I am very proud to say that our Government is guided by the principles of merit and legal excellence in the selection and appointment of judges to Canada’s superior and federal courts. Therefore, we will not support Mr. Godin’s Bill.
Bill C-232 would hinder regional representation by reducing the pool of highly qualified candidates from regions where fewer individuals are capable of hearing a case in both official languages.
Notice the use of "we"; I am assuming this means that the Tory Senators will be voting as a bloc, and not that Mr. Plett prefers the majestic plural.
Glad that's settled.
ReplyDeleteThree cheers for the Senate, l'il Torees! C'mon...don't hold back. We know you're not shy.
The unelected Conservative dominated senate, is thwarting the will of the democratically elected HOC?
ReplyDeleteI am outraged.
I demand that the Conservatives condemn this action, in the strongest possible way.
How dare the Conservative dominated senate, try and block a bill the elected HOC, has passed.
I expect all CPC, apologists to also condemn this undemocratic action.
LOL Gallahad, you break me up.
ReplyDeletePreviously LeBreton said, as it was a private member's bill, there would be a free vote, though given Senators' independence, all votes are pretty free, and usually some divisions. Also, far from clear old Con francophone senators (esp. of PC-origin) are onside. Finally even if line vote, both sides, Rivest is on record in favour, and so would Lowell Murray. With those two, it's a tie. Of other three independents, Pitfield would favour it, but too sick to vote. McCoy, we'll see if hearings change her mind. And Cools is a toss-up, as original Montrealer, Trudeau-lover, and minority-conscious, but also an irascible small-c con these days. Going to be interesting. I think Libs will vote all for, and some Con senators will support it, by presence or absence. Senate has special responsibility for health of Federation, esp. French-English affairs.
ReplyDeleteBut, But, But,.......
ReplyDeleteIt's not the same thing when an unelected Conservative dominated senate defies the will of the democratically elected HOC.
But, But, But......
The unelected Conservative senate is just exercising their constitutional responsibility.
But, But, But......
It's Ok if the unelected Conservative dominated senate does this, well because it's Conservative.
Not one Conservative dink will stand by their principles and condemn this.
Lets see if Fred from BC, Canadian Sense, Rat, Wilson, Rotterdam, Bubba, Frunger, Prairie Kid, Jim, and all the other assorted con idiots condemn this undemocratic action.
If they don't then we will know that they are just hypocritical, and unethical trolls.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"If they don't then we will know that they are just hypocritical, and unethical trolls."
ReplyDeleteRhetorical question or you really don't know the answer to this already?
Here is something priceless:
ReplyDeleteCanadian Sense said,
"No more senate blocking or gutting"
Quoted from, (NDP feeling heat over gun registry)
Sunday April 25 at 7:36 PM.
Now let's see if that demented individual will come on here and stand by that quote.
Let's see if he will defend that quote.
Lets see if the Oakville crackpot will stand by his principles and condemn what the unelected Conservative senate is doing.
I highly doubt, the Oakville, looney has any principles.
It's more likely he will delete it.
ReplyDeleteConservatives supporting the senate defying the will of the House of Commons??? This is gonna be fun.
I guess this is why Doug Finley was whing about the mean nasty liberals playing games on Taylor,s blog the other day.
I highly doubt, the Oakville, looney has any principles.
ReplyDeleteHe/she was sounding really incoherent the other day. Like really, really drunk or on drugs.
Anyway, here's my contribution:
Morally vacuous Conservative: "Why is it OK when, in this instance, the unelected, appointed Senate thwarts the will of the popularly-elected House of Commons? SHUT UP, that's why."
Canadian Sense, is a CPC, gas bag.
ReplyDeleteHe/she/it never makes any sense, and it never answers any questions.
The posts it authors, are always scatter brained, long winded garbage.
That demented monkey has his own blog, but never manages to get many comments on it.
I can pull out 100+ quotes of his about the Liberal unelected senate, blocking the will of the elected HOC.
That individual will not have the courage of his convictions, and condemn what the unelected Conservative senate is doing.
He will not opine, on that. And what he will have on offer if he shows up at all, will be his typical bullshit.
You guys bring up a good point, and in the faint hope of pointing out that not all conservatives are talking-point spewing trolls, I will offer this:
ReplyDeleteOn principle, this is a dumb move by the tories - they have stated their principle many times, yet when it is not convenient, they are quick to drop it.
I think the principle is correct, and they the senate should not block this legislation.
I do think however that this bill is a terrible idea. The tories should let it pass if they cant stop it in the house, and make it a campaign promise to repeal it if/when they get a majority (not that this would engage undecided voters but it could energize the base).
I disagree. I have no problem with the senate blocking any legislation.
ReplyDeleteGayle just made the right call. Elected or not it's the senate's job to be the chamber of sober second thought, and send back bad legislation. The question, will the Raging Reformers get that now?
ReplyDelete@ Jerome - no one ever said all conservatives are obnoxious trolls. I personally enjoy your, Tomm's and Mr Harvie's comments, regardless if I agree or disagree. All of you debate properly and argue your points well.
However the list Gallahad provides (with the possible exception of bubba - he's not a troll, just terribly lost) are the trolls that really should just fuck off already.
On principle, this is a dumb move by the tories - they have stated their principle many times, yet when it is not convenient, they are quick to drop it.
ReplyDeleteDon't be too discouraged. I, for one, never believed that "principles" hooey to begin with. What I objected to is their insistence that they, and they alone, *could* have principles.
Gayle just made the right call. Elected or not it's the senate's job to be the chamber of sober second thought, and send back bad legislation. The question, will the Raging Reformers get that now?
ReplyDeleteYes, it is. The point however that the tories used to back their case for senate reform is that an unelected senate has no legitimacy to thwart the will of the elected house. I generally agree with that position. An elected senate could block bad legislation with democratic legitimacy.
It does look bad to now block legislation with non-elected senators.
Thanks for the props, and right back at you - I look forward to many more discussions with you.
And yeah, those guys (canadian sense et al), let's just say they're not ideal spokesthings for the conservatives.
ReplyDeleteDon't be too discouraged. I, for one, never believed that "principles" hooey to begin with. What I objected to is their insistence that they, and they alone, *could* have principles.
Sure. I would like an elected senate myself, and that's based on some sort of principle I suppose. But I agree on your 2nd point. Most politicians have some principles, and most politicians will drop these same principles when convenient.
Reminds me of some of the comments made Re: Jaffer/Guergis, that Jaffer had somehow given politicians a bad name???
And also of a good (semi) joke by George Jonas, to the effect that if a person expresses a desire to run for office, then that person is clearly unfit for office.
Most politicians have some principles, and most politicians will drop these same principles when convenient.
ReplyDeleteAnd you want a Parliament burdened with a whole 'nother House filled with career politicians? ;)
The democratic legitimacy I'm looking for in any elected assembly has to come in the form of proportional representation. Otherwise, elected, non-elected, it simply doesn't matter to me. If your vote doesn't count, you are not represented, point final.
I can put up with the system we have, but I don't hold any illusions about how democratic it is. Not anymore, that's for sure.
Well, I see the Oakville crackpot has not shown up to defend the honour and the principles of the CPC.
ReplyDeleteIncoherent gas bag that he is.
I figured he wouldn't have the guts to show.
CS, is a useless troll, bent on inflicting himself on any blog that will have him.
A rambling, incoherent mess.
Just a monosyllabic CPC, sycophant.
Pathetic.