No limits on Senate reform

[CHIMO]

Stephen Harper now has a Conservative majority in the House of Commons. He has a Conservative majority in the Senate. And so Mr. Harper is right to proceed with Senate reform – he just needs to manage the issue carefully, and dispense with the curious notion that eight-year, non-renewable terms for senators is an enhancement of democracy.

The limit makes sense when senators are appointed – under current law, they can serve until the age of 75, effectively guaranteeing decades of service, and salary, for the lucky appointees.

But the logic for such limits in an elected body is not clear. First, duration of parliamentary service should be an advantage in the Senate, which can be made more democratic without sacrificing its historical role as a chamber of sober second thought. That sobriety increases with experience.

And “term limits” come with direct election – the voters can effectively decide that a senator’s time in Parliament is up.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/no-limits-on-senate-reform/article2040367/


Makes the grass grow greener.