Prime Minister moves forward on Senate reform

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced that Canada’s New Government will introduce a bill in the House of Commons today to establish a national process for consulting Canadians on their preferences for Senate appointments. The bill will see voters choose their preferred Senate candidates to represent their provinces or territories.

“This bill will make the Senate more democratic and more accountable,” said Prime Minister Harper in a speech to his caucus. “For the first time, it will let the Prime Minister give Canadians a say in who represents them in the Upper House.”

The Senate Appointment Consultations Act represents another step in a comprehensive plan to make government more accountable. The Prime Minister noted that the bill was being introduced the day after the government’s Federal Accountability Act received royal assent. Canada’s New Government has also introduced legislation to limit Senators’ terms to eight years.

Details about the new bill will be released when it is introduced in the House of Commons later today.