Re: “Filling Senate vacancies is an urgent issue,” letter, Sept. 15.
The letter-writer says the Senate must have senators appointed as a constitutional obligation. That is not the only option.
The Supreme Court of Canada has clearly adjudicated that the Senate can be abolished “if approved by seven provinces and a majority of 50 per cent of the electorate.”
Saskatchewan and Alberta are on record for abolition. Premiers Brad Wall and Rachel Notley would gladly lead the charge. B.C. and Manitoba have nothing to gain by keeping the institution. Abolition would require another three out of six provinces and three territories. Polls across our nation have regularly indicated that more than 65 per cent of the electorate is fed up with the fraudulent activities and partisan politics of the Senate.
The question of abolition should be put to a referendum. Provincial governments must take a stand and be known for their position on abolition. The overall cost of the Senate in the fiscal year 2011-12 was $90 million and is probably 15 per cent higher in 2015 dollars. The savings of abolition would easily pay for a referendum question and future savings could be redirected to health care, housing, education or other more worthwhile purposes than this anachronistic institution.
The Supreme Court has ruled the Senate can be abolished. It is now a question of which government will allow the electorate to speak. Further appointees without a referendum would be a wasteful travesty of democracy.
Harry Atkinson
Sidney
