Conservatives set to reintroduce Senate reform bill
Posted Mar 28, 2010 9:44 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Alberta Senator Bert Brown has been pushing for upper chamber reform for years and there’s word the Tories are set to reintroduce a reform bill as early as Monday.
Harper appointed Brown as an elected Senator in 2007. Brown is famous for using his tractor to plough “Triple-E Senate or else” into his neighbour’s barley field.
It’s believed the proposed bill will address the number of years a senator can serve in the upper chamber.
Brown tells 660News, Canadians want Senate reform and that has showed in numerous polls over the last two decades. He says many Canadians have a problem with the current system where someone can be appointed at the age of 35 and stay for 40 years.
Right now senators are allowed to serve until they are 75, when they’re forced to retire.
In the past, the Conservatives have pushed for 8-year terms for Senators.
Brown adds a 12-year term would probably be better as Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff has indicated he might support that.
The New Democrats have said they would like to see the Senate scrapped all together.
