Black releases seven point plan for Senate accountability
Posted Sep 4, 2013 12:23 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
One Alberta Senator has released his 7 point plan in hopes of ensuring greater accountability within Canada’s upper chamber.
Doug Black says reforming the legislative body needs to be priority one when they return to Ottawa later this month.
First on his list, a clear definition of “senate business” so that the rules are stringent enough to protect the interests of all ‘Canadian taxpayers.’
But he adds they can’t be restrictive to limit these representatives to Ottawa at the same time.
“I know there are some who suggest that Senators should be restricted to moving, in my case from Alberta to Ottawa and back,” he says. “I have a strong view that’s the wrong thing to do, my job is to represent the province and I need to be around Canada making sure that the rest of the country understands our point of view.”
Black also wants to tighten residency requirements for Senators, to add external members to it’s audit committee and new legislation that would prevent MPs and Senators convicted of a serious crimes from receiving their pension.
He’s also calling for more detailed online disclosure of their travel and hospitality expenses.
“All my expenses I’ve posted online and I’m the first Senator to have done that,” says Black. “Cause I want to get through this issue, I want to be able talk about Alberta energy issues, Alberta flood relief issues…. the issues that matter.”
Alberta’s elected representative also wants a live webcast video of the debate inside the chamber and to launch a two-way dialogue for Canadians.
The 61 year old believes he may approach his position differently than some of his colleagues because he was chosen by the people.
“I feel extremely accountable and I think most of my colleagues do, but I know when I go to the grocery store in Canmore… people come up to me and say, look Doug we voted for you, now what are you going to do,” says Black.
He plans to share his plan with his colleagues in the coming days.
It will also be presented to caucus, when he returns to Ottawa later this month.
