INFORMEDdebate
YES
from members:
Elizabeth Evans,
Princeton, BC
SEN-39TH-PARL: LIBRARY OF PARLIAMENT / BIBLIOTHÈQUE DU PARLEMENT-MARC FOWLER
Elected members
of Parliament are
expense enough
for the taxpayer.
Stéphane Parent,
Saint-Lin-des-Laurentides, QC
There is no benefit
to Quebec in having
a Senate. We are
paying for nothing.
Tamara Stokes,
Winnipeg, MB
Should we abolish
It is costing us $75
million and they
have no real power.
We should get rid
of them.
the Senate?
THE CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT has said that it will
NO
support a New Democratic Party motion to abolish the Senate
if two reform bills are again blocked by the opposition.
from members:
Corey Bonnar,
Those who agree with abolishing Canada’s Senate say that it
is an outdated institution: It is undemocratic (because senators
Prince George, BC
are appointed for life, not elected), it panders to political interests
and it burdens taxpayers to the tune of $75 million a year.
Those who support the Senate admit it needs reform, but add
that to do away with it completely would be a disservice to the
Senate members
have wisdom and
experience that we
must assume has
value in shaping
long-term decisions.
Naomi Dolan,
country. The Senate provides continuity in Canadian politics,
Regina, SK
they say—and senators offer knowledge and experience that
parliamentarians do not have.
What do you think?
They should be
elected, as this
allows for new blood
and new ideas.
Find out more about this topic on the Web:
• www.cbc.ca/news/background/cdngovernment/reforming-senate.html
• www.mapleleafweb.com/features/senate-reform-canada/
• http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=1306
• www.liberal.ca
Yves Joannette,
Châteauguay, QC
Representatives
should be elected
so that Canadian
policies more accurately reflect the will
of the people.
14 The Costco Connection MARCH/APRIL 2008
