Senators nearly doubled travel spending in two years, sticking taxpayers with bills for virtual meetings, sightseeing, pricey dinners and trips already attended by MPs.
This so-called Chamber of Sober Second Thought has morphed into nothing more than another Liberal rubber stamp. It no longer serves any purpose - if it ever did. It should be eliminated.
Just another place at the trough for Liberal insiders to spend their old age living the good life at our expense. Same as they did before their appointments. Zero respect.
Unpopular opinion: the senate is a really useful body in our politics and actually does a lot of important investigations in committee, but since it's less entertaining than Question Period in the Commons, the media doesn't cover it. I'm not defending the obvious abuse of the public purse; however, the amending formula for things only affecting Parliament needs only be passed by Parliament. A better way to deal with this is to pass legislation that sets out a basic Code of Conduct for Senators, including spending guidelines, setting maximums for the duration of a Senate vacancy, and creating a greivance/oversight comittee to lodge complaints with that is separate from the chamber itself. Parliament could do all of that with one bill. As much as people lambast the Senate, it does serve an important role in checking the majoritarian Commons, and though it does so sparingly, it does. This is one of those institutions where you'll miss it when it's gone.
They do it rather sparingly, as the convention is that the Commons should predominate, as it has the mandate to govern, but from 1900 to 2000, they blocked legislation ~40 times. They also force amendments much more regularly, which is just as important.
Force amendments..yes, i can see that would be important, esp in times when there is not a majority govt. these folks are political appointments. And yes, parliament should legislate guidelines for their behavior. However...what a shame that that is necessary, eh? Esp for lifetime appts!
What a surprise. Political appts for life, and not guardrails.what could go wrong? And aren't they supposedly chosen for their wisdom, knowledge of the history and laws of canada, ethics and high moral character? And respect for the office and for the people of this great land, who foot their salary and expense accts?
Actually, they are typically chosen because they have an area of expertise to use at committee, such as finance, military experience, scientific backgrounds, advocacy, etc (this doesn't mean that appointments are made without partisan consideration, but it isn't the only factor; also, conservatives currently are the majority faction in the Senate, though they don't call themselves Conservatives). The Fathers of Confederation established the second chamber predominantly to help prevent Lower Canada (now Ontario) from dominating the other 3 provinces (which is why QB and the Maritimes have so many Senators); that's also partly why the West has so few senators, because the Senate wasn't designed around expansion; mainly this was due to the West being mainly sparsely inhabited territories at that point. I'd argue reform is a better way to address our grievances than abolition. I'd rather have a government with extra steps that force it to move slowly.
"Canada’s unelected senators have racked up $1.85 million in international travel expenses, including trips where elected MPs were already representing the country and meetings that were also available virtually." "Carbon taxes for thee, but not for me!. We're all in this together!"
On your dime taxpayers and not a single useful thing to show for it for Canadians.
.... AND ...
Not even a thank-you snort from these pigs, now mostly of Liberal persuasion.
AND YES....
While they do have their rare moments of actually doing what they should that being the (theoretical) Chamber of Sober Second Thought those moments (as stated) are few and very, very, very far between.
As an Albertan, I am not impressed by senate appointments by Ottawa that do not acknowledge our recommendations. Not only are senators unelected but they are appointed by the president government. Then they abuse their privilege by making ridiculous trips on our dime. They are dinosaurs and need to be abolished.
This so-called Chamber of Sober Second Thought has morphed into nothing more than another Liberal rubber stamp. It no longer serves any purpose - if it ever did. It should be eliminated.
Just another place at the trough for Liberal insiders to spend their old age living the good life at our expense. Same as they did before their appointments. Zero respect.
Unpopular opinion: the senate is a really useful body in our politics and actually does a lot of important investigations in committee, but since it's less entertaining than Question Period in the Commons, the media doesn't cover it. I'm not defending the obvious abuse of the public purse; however, the amending formula for things only affecting Parliament needs only be passed by Parliament. A better way to deal with this is to pass legislation that sets out a basic Code of Conduct for Senators, including spending guidelines, setting maximums for the duration of a Senate vacancy, and creating a greivance/oversight comittee to lodge complaints with that is separate from the chamber itself. Parliament could do all of that with one bill. As much as people lambast the Senate, it does serve an important role in checking the majoritarian Commons, and though it does so sparingly, it does. This is one of those institutions where you'll miss it when it's gone.
I must have missed the news on the bills that the senate put restraints on...and i am sincere on this...please tell me.
They do it rather sparingly, as the convention is that the Commons should predominate, as it has the mandate to govern, but from 1900 to 2000, they blocked legislation ~40 times. They also force amendments much more regularly, which is just as important.
Force amendments..yes, i can see that would be important, esp in times when there is not a majority govt. these folks are political appointments. And yes, parliament should legislate guidelines for their behavior. However...what a shame that that is necessary, eh? Esp for lifetime appts!
What a surprise. Political appts for life, and not guardrails.what could go wrong? And aren't they supposedly chosen for their wisdom, knowledge of the history and laws of canada, ethics and high moral character? And respect for the office and for the people of this great land, who foot their salary and expense accts?
Actually, they are typically chosen because they have an area of expertise to use at committee, such as finance, military experience, scientific backgrounds, advocacy, etc (this doesn't mean that appointments are made without partisan consideration, but it isn't the only factor; also, conservatives currently are the majority faction in the Senate, though they don't call themselves Conservatives). The Fathers of Confederation established the second chamber predominantly to help prevent Lower Canada (now Ontario) from dominating the other 3 provinces (which is why QB and the Maritimes have so many Senators); that's also partly why the West has so few senators, because the Senate wasn't designed around expansion; mainly this was due to the West being mainly sparsely inhabited territories at that point. I'd argue reform is a better way to address our grievances than abolition. I'd rather have a government with extra steps that force it to move slowly.
This is so disappointing. Who knew that these stellar folks, with life-time appointments would abuse their positions, right?
"Canada’s unelected senators have racked up $1.85 million in international travel expenses, including trips where elected MPs were already representing the country and meetings that were also available virtually." "Carbon taxes for thee, but not for me!. We're all in this together!"
This makes me ill. Abolish the Senate!
Oinking all the way to the trough (and back).
On your dime taxpayers and not a single useful thing to show for it for Canadians.
.... AND ...
Not even a thank-you snort from these pigs, now mostly of Liberal persuasion.
AND YES....
While they do have their rare moments of actually doing what they should that being the (theoretical) Chamber of Sober Second Thought those moments (as stated) are few and very, very, very far between.
As an Albertan, I am not impressed by senate appointments by Ottawa that do not acknowledge our recommendations. Not only are senators unelected but they are appointed by the president government. Then they abuse their privilege by making ridiculous trips on our dime. They are dinosaurs and need to be abolished.