Prime minister fills 18 vacant Senate seats

After decades of covering the goings on of Parliament Hill, CTV's Mike Duffy will now get a chance to see things from the opposite side as a newly named Senator.

CTV Ottawa: CTV's Mike Duffy gets appointed to Senate

Max Keeping speaks with CTV's Mike Duffy about his appointment to the Senate.

CTV Newsnet: Patrick Brazeau, newly-appointed senator, reacts to being one of the youngest senators in history

Patrick Brazeau is one of the 18 people the prime minister has appointed to the Senate. He is better known as the national chief for the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, and at the age of 34, is one of the youngest people to head to the 'red chamber.'

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Mon. Dec. 22 2008 10:02 PM ET

Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed more senators Monday than had ever been appointed in a single day throughout Canadian history.

His 18 new picks -- which included two former TV broadcasters, an Olympic champion skier, as well as a number of former federal and provincial politicians -- brought the total number of Conservative Senators to 38.

Long-time Senator Marjory LeBreton told CTV that she was "delighted" to see her Tory peers gain greater representation within the senate.

"Literally, today, our numbers in the senate virtually doubled," she said.

Fourteen of these new senators, CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife reported, were Tory organizers, former politicians and in one case, a Conservative fundraiser.

After years of successive Liberal governments, the 105-seat Senate had been made up of 58 Grits and 20 Conservatives prior to today's announcement.

Prior to Monday, Harper had appointed only two senators during his time as prime minister.

PM appoints Mike Duffy to the senate

Mike Duffy and Pamela Wallin are two of the best-known new senators -- Duffy for his years as a political commentator and Wallin for her work as a journalist and diplomat.

Duffy, who leaves behind the hosting of CTV's Mike Duffy Live to become a senator, told CTV Atlantic's Steve Murphy about how his appointment came to be.

The veteran journalist said he first learned that the prime minister had interest in seeing him serve on the senate on Saturday morning.

The two men had a conversation about senate reform and he was offered the job.

After taking some time to think about it, Duffy decided to take the position.

He denied that his appointment as a Conservative senator meant he held a political bias.

"Frankly, I told the prime minister I'm not much of a partisan," Duffy said.

"I'm going to be there, but that's just to even up the side. I'm one of these people who believes in a fair fight," he added, referring to the lopsided Liberal-to-Conservative numbers seen in the senate prior to Monday's appointments.

Famed skier Nancy Greene Raine, winner of 13 World Cups and the Olympic gold for giant slalom in 1968, was also named to the senate on Monday.

Former politicians among the appointees

The prime minister also named a number of current and former politicians to the senate including former Conservative MP Fabian Manning, current New Brunswick MLA Percy Mockler and Mulroney-era Conservative MP Suzanne Fortin-Duplessis.

Michel Rivard, a former Quebec MNA and Parti Quebecois member, ran under the Canadian Alliance banner in the 2000 federal election, but failed to gain a seat.

Lawyer Fred Dickson and Conservative organizer Michael L. MacDonald, both of Nova Scotia, were appointed Monday, as well as Stephen Greene, a former chief of staff to Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald.

New Brunswick lawyer John D. Wallace was also appointed to the senate, as was Montreal businessman Leo Housakos.

Patrick Brazeau, the 34-year-old National Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, is believed to be among the youngest-ever serving senators.

He told CTV Newsnet that he believes in senate reform, but that he hopes to bring a voice to the senate that can represent the issues that are important to him.

"Being an aboriginal person, a proud Quebecer, and a proud Canadian, I'm also a big supporter of stronger federalism," Brazeau said.

"I think the time has come where a debate and a discussion is needed to unite Canadians towards a stronger federal state rather than having these talks about separation all the time, especially in Quebec.

Conservative Party fundraiser and Order of Canada member Irving Gerstein got a senate seat as well, as did charity fundraiser and columnist Nicole Eaton.

British Columbia cultural activist Yonah Martin, former B.C. minister of energy mines and petroleum Richard Neufeld, and former member of the Yukon Legislative Assembly Hector Daniel Lang round out the list.

Harper's plans for senate reform

Harper's decision to fill empty seats with Conservative appointees is a controversial one, given that he has long expressed his desire for an elected Senate, whereby each province would send their own representatives to Ottawa.

Under the current system, the prime minister chooses senators.

Harper has also said he would like the current 45-year term, which carries a mandatory retirement age of 75, to be reduced to just eight years.

"Our government will continue to push for a more democratic, accountable and effective Senate," Harper said in a news release. "If Senate vacancies are to be filled, however, they should be filled by the government that Canadians elected rather than by a coalition that no one voted for."

Harper said all of the senators support eight-year term limits and other proposed Senate reforms.

The opposition has criticized Harper's decision to make patronage appointments at a time when he is mired in a political crisis that is threatening his government.

Opposition reaction to senate appointments

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff said the appointments, which occurred while Parliament is prorogued, show that the prime minister cannot be trusted.

"Mr. Harper has said repeatedly that he would never appoint senators, including during the last election," he said in a statement released Monday.

"Canadians cannot understand why he keeps breaking his word."

NDP MP David Christopherson said the prime minister's timing of the new appointments --when many Canadians are losing their jobs -- couldn't be worse.

"Stephen Harper keeps telling Canadians to tighten their belts," he said.

"Mr. Harper should be focused on the 71,000 Canadians who lost their jobs last month. These 18 patronage appointments show that when it comes to job creation, Mr. Harper cares more about rewarding his Conservative friends than creating jobs for Canadians."

Earlier this month, Harper was forced to ask Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean to prorogue Parliament to fend off a Liberal-NDP-Bloc coalition that was waiting to take power after a confidence vote.

The crisis, which was spurred by a poorly received economic update that did not contain a stimulus package for the sputtering economy, is merely on hold until late January, when Parliament resumes and the Conservatives are scheduled to table a budget.

With files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

Rob Bottos
said

Ok, I could see appointing a long time MP who has lost his/her seat to the senate but can someone please tell me how it is that Yonah Martin, who has never held political office, and couldn't even win a seat in the last Election is remotely qualified to sit as a senator in our Canadian Parliament. This smacks of Harper currying favour with the Korean community and her appointment along with the remaining 17 is a joke. It just goes to show that Harper's word can't be trusted and he only uses the Canadian Constitutionwhen it suits his purpose. By this point anything Harper does shouldn't supriose me anymore.

Vince Stenseth
said

Harper really had no choice since the Liberals had been stacking the deck every time they had the chance. These appointments still don't even out the Senate but it's certainly a step in the right direction to bringing about elected senators and something resembling democracy in that establishment. They may have come all at once, but they still seem an eclectic and erudite bunch. I approve.

Rob in Alberta
said

Becky - I can't believe you are complaining about the small number of women appointed to the senate. This Prime Minister has the highest number of women in the caucus (where the real decisions are made) than any previous Prime Minister. Women have a larger voice in Ottawa now than ever before in history and still you complain. Can't you even acknowledge that this Prime Minister has actively promoted a more equal respresentation for women and praise him for it?? The poor guy just cna't seem to win even when he does do something progressive!! Egad!!

Alysha Ont
said

It's a disgrace to see Canadians 'bitch, bitch bitch' about anything and everything in these blogs. Look, this is Canada and not Africa or anyother country or even Zimbabwee. We should be thankful for waht we have in our country but greed and hate is getting to everyone it seems. WE just had an election. The Conservatives were elected for the second time with a larger minority. Get used to it.. live with it !! My goodness, can harper not change his mind or his direction ever. Circumstances often dictate to all of us to change direction. So Harper needs to use the little boy's room.. so now does he follow through with the need to go or does he stop and wait for your permission to go all because he didn't tell Canadians he needed to go! How pathetic those of you who are calling him a hypocrite and liar. I challenge each one of you to get off your asses and let your name stand in the next election for position of MP !! Quit your whining ! By the way, I have voted Liberal, NDP and Conservative in the past so I am not a die-hard to any political party!

James
said

P.M.Harper is doing the proper thing by increasing the Conservative opposition in the Senate.There will never be any reform of this
'Upper Group'if there is not a reasonable balance of power.I say:"GOOD FOR HARPER ".

GJay
said

18 more just bellied up to the trough. Get those indexed pensions before its to late.

CEJ-Ontario
said

Hey Raymond (Regina)

I have had it with all of you who try to show us your math skills. While it may be correct that Harper only got 37% of the vote, it does not necessarily mean the rest of the country voted against him. Check your election history and you will find that the "greatest Liberal Leader" of all time won a majority with a little over 38%. All of his majorities were less than 50%. Leaders rarley get more than 50% of the vote. So in reality by Harper having 60% vote "against" him, or trudeau having 50% vote against him, the results put Harper not too far off "the greatest Liberal Leader". Oh Yeah didn't Trudeau run the first federal deficit??

Tom Chin
said

Tom - Toronto
Thank goodness Harper did this before any more potential Liberal appointments in the future. If Ignatieff ever gets into power, for sure he'll filled up with more Liberals. It's hard to believe the Liberals are actually complaining when they already have far more of their members in the Senate. They are afraid Senate reform might get closer to reality.

Burt Prince
said

Burt
Sorry now that I didn't apply for the position, I could have used the 133,000.00 yearly salary for what 30 or 40 days work a year

Marc in Toronto
said

Mr Duffy will be missed! Welcome to the Dark Side Mike. Enjoy the pay hike, and less work.

Ted P
said

In response to Chris who earlier wrote "What's fair is fair", Let me add this little tidbit and you decide. What is the real cost behind these appointments? Here's a small hint. Our hero's in "Red and Blue" (members of the RCMP) who put their lives on the line every day they step out to go to work, have received notice today that as a direct result of the new appointees to the senate, a recently announced 2% wage increase across the board has been canceled!!! You tell me...Is that fair?

Mike
said

Where are all the jobs?

Is this a time to talk about senate reform?

Is this working on the crisis at hand?

Where are all the jobs?

BECKY
said

Can't hardly believe he only chose 5 women. If he had his way he wouldn't have picked any. Our Senate has a mere 33% representation for women and that is deplorable. He could have balanced it out and yet he chose to make the Senate the "Good ole Boys Club" again! Prior to today it was closer to 35%.

Catherine
said

So Mark Holland, Liberal MP, thinks that these 18 senators are "flunkies". Good one, Mark - you keep showing us your elonquent mannerisms. It's such a pity that the once great Liberal Party of Canada now includes people like Mark Holland.

Joe
said

All you conservatives are going to be crying come late January as Stephen Harper has just lost himself the office of Prime Minister with these appointments. Doubt that him doing this will ease the pressure the Liberal-NDP-Bloc coalition is goung to put on him when he is forced to restart the Parliament.

My support is staying with Conservatives in Canada
said

The liberals have a lot of nerve accusing others of patronage appointments - liberals wrote the instruction manual on the subject. It's hypocritical of the opposition to sling insults -any of the opposition would have stacked the senate the day after the election. So for the opposition to twist this around & use the money factor to try to slander Harper is below the belt. These are the same opposition mp's who freaked out when they learned that they would lose their political welfare subsidy & retaliated by making a bizarre political move, which sent the country into complete anger & panic. Thankyou opposition for making the TSE bottom out the day of the coalition signing. So opposition can insult & belittle the gov't about the senate appointments but the entire country is supposed to forget that the opposition pirates tried to hijack our elected gov't. No matter how far away the next election is, I am not going to forget that the opposition tried to steal the gov't because they can't get it legitimately in an election. I fully agree with these senate appointments & think that the PM made good choices. You never know, these senators might be good value for money & actually show up for work; unlike the liberal appointed senators who don't show up & still get paid. Liberals still wasting taxpayers money.

JP in North Saanich, NB
said

Another FLIP FLOP
but I see between the lines.
Mr Harper will lose the next federal election- so he is filling the Senate before hsi governmnet is taken dowm
We have a DO NOTING GOVERNMNET in power at present- giving away positions left right and centre. Check Veterans Affairs Appeal Board- all political appointees making judemnet on Vets- now a bunch of Senators making decisions on the counrty
HELP US !!!

Neutral Logic
said

Am I the only one here that is shaking his head on a couple things? People...how on earth can Harper reform the Senate when the people in the Senate won't allow it??? Comments that say "he promised to reform the senate and lied", show a complete lack of knowledge on why Harper had to do this. The Liberals are calling Harper down for not reforming the Senate, but they are the ones stopping him. Am I in bizzaro world here??

Along with that...if they left those seats open, they'd be filled by more Liberals. How exactly is having almost a full Senate of Liberals "equal and fair representation"?????

You'd think some of the people posting here want a complete Liberal Government dictating their every move. There must be checks and a balance people.

Gary L
said

I totally agree with you there Steve H.The coalition sucks,the liberals suck too

Jay, Ottawa
said

Jack in BC said, "...is that there seems to be a belief by those in the Eastern side of Canada that those in the Western side of Canada are dumb, red-necks who are too stupid to understand any of the issues discussed. Where does this bigotry come from? When did being a Conservative supporter become synonymous with being an idiot?"

It may not be politically correct to point it out, but CTV had it on their own site that a plurality of voters with high school or less education voted Conservative last election. Also, far too many pro-Conservative opinions expressed here are peppered with poor spelling and grammar. I can understand if people are forming opinions of Westerners as "dumb, red-necks who are too stupid" based on the arguments they read here. They're typically poorly thought out and draw erroneous conclusions. Then when they get cornered they start calling people "lieberals" or similar. I've found this to be one of the more interested aspects of CTV discussion threads. Those who are not Conservative, no matter who they support, typically have more clearly expressed opinions written with fewer spelling mistakes. What conclusions would anyone draw when reading these comments? It's difficult to respect someone's opinion when they haven't figured out spell check yet. Let alone support their opinions with fallacious arguments.

Jonathan in Winnipeg
said

Tim from Nova Scotia
I am well aware of the fourth province in Atlantic Canada. In the constitution for the senate seatts, Newfoundland and Labrador is treated separately from the rest of the East. Thus, I did not include them in my example. If I had the discrepancy would have been even greater as Newfoundland and Labrador has 6 seats as well.

I do agree that Central Canada does not care about the east or the west (except for what it can give them or charged to them) since it has the most population and the most senate seats.

If the HOC was truly representative of population, Ontario, Alberta and BC would have many more seats, and every other province would lose seats.

If I had disdain for Atlantic Canada that you infer, I don't think I would have said that all provinces have six senate seats. I would have had everything by population.

Canada Goose Whistler
said

These guys should only get paid the minimum wage & so should all government employees to set an example for all other over paid people that do nothing.

Tom
said

Do you have to be a public person to get a seat in the Senate? Because it has been done for long it doesn't mean things cannot change. Former politicians, former journalists, former "fund raisers" all nice and dandy but Nancy Green, hard worker, champion skier that was decent. When do we get to see more common folk. People with life experience ready to help the country.

Paul in Brantford
said

Fill it up !!

After the next Election get rid of the Senate

Better Conservatives than more Fiberals. If the Coalition was in there we would have Blockhead Senators.

The Reluctant Voter
said

Good job Mr Prime Minister. Play their dirty game until you can finally keep your promise of senate reform. Then you will be out to the test. In the meantime, this is all just regular left-wing, partisan politicking that has plagued our country for far too long

Jason B
said

Amen! Some good folks there that have given and not just taken. It has been said, but I believe (as well) that sometimes 'you gotta do what you gotta do'. Harper had no choice.

Senate reform was always going to take some time because of the balance in the room, and this just took it a step closer. I'm for EEE but it'll take a majority and the will of the public to finally embrace the change.

I don't understand the fear of...dare I say...opening up the constitution, I never have, but it must be done. Vote to open it up on a single issue so noone has to fear the Quebec question. It doesn't have to be that hard. And...we are due.

Hans
said

Here we go again. Harper promised to reform the senate and use elected people. When is going to adhere to his promises??

John Neale
said

Whatever happened to the EEE Senate? This guy is dumping himself more and more into the you know what! however what is the alternative? I wish he had asked me, I would have volunteered!

William J. Balacko Winnipeg Mb.
said

Filling in the 18 vacant Senate seats is only the right thing to do. As it was the Senate was unable to function properly with so many empty seats. Had the Liberals the opportunity, They would have done the same.

Warren in Saskatoon
said

You liberals sure do not have anything to compain about, Frank Mahovlich come on. Oh and by the way Mark Holland you should eat your shirt after the comment about Mr. Harper appointing his flunkies, people like Mr. Duffy ,Pamela Wallin, Mrs. Raine and Mr. Brazeau are by my last check the furthest thing from flunkies.

Joe C, Woodstock ON
said

As long as the senate is as lop-sided as it is, there will be no elected Senate. Mr. Harper is doing what he has to do in order to make it happen.

acadian covered in snow
said

so let me get this straight, he wanted to have the senators elected and was pushing to have SCC judges go through a stringent parliamentary review before being named.......
Now that he knows his days are numbered, I'll just do the opposite...now that's priceless.

Dave, Soon to be unemployed GM worker
said

Hey about me? I'm a GM worker who is about to take a $20.00 per hour pay cut, volunteered in my community as a Auxiliary Police officer, Volunteer Firefighter and trying to be a parent and put 3 kids through college, pay car loans and a mortgage. I could use a $130,000.00 job. I think I have done enough for my community to fill a
Senator's seat. I was even born in this country!!!!

AylmerBob
said

To all those complaining about the cost of 18 Senators: funny, I don't remember any of you cheering Harper on for saving $$$ by not filling them.
No, you were complaining about something else then, weren't you?

andy
said

This is to Rudy. I'm sorry Rudy you are not qualified for the senate. You say that you will retire at 60 and come to work every day? I'm sorry but thats not how it is done in the Senate. You should have free haircuts, shoe shines, take as much leave as you feel you like and, well work (??) until 75 and collect a few measly dollars for all your hardly work.

Nik
said

"...should be filled by the government that Canadians elected rather than by a coalition that no one voted for." Really? No one voted for the MPs that might end up forming a new coalition government? I wonder how they ended up getting elected. Maybe there was no election. Mr. Harper, just because the majority of Canadians didn't vote for your party DOESN'T mean that it was a wasted vote. On the contrary. Most Canadians simply don't trust you, or a neo-conservative Republican-transplant government you want in Canada.

AylmerBob
said

All 50 Liberal Senators should support the blustering Liberal MPs and resign their Senate seats immediately in protest.

Roy W. Carlyle
said

Mike Duffy, Answer the question do you really believe you can add value to society in excess of >8 million dollars? If not, why would you take the senate seat? Have you compromised your values and norms? How can you speak on PEI? If not, do you only speak on behalf the party that appointed YOU. If so, have you really not been a party member all along? If so, the role YOU represented for YEARS has been a farse!!! Have you really been objective? Answer the question with honesty.

Not surprised he goes back on his word again
said

Once again he goes back on his word but what can you expect. He can't keep any of his promises or even his own laws.
What a waste of taxpayers money.

Mike R.
said

i just hope these Conservative appointee's remember their values and not flip flop after a few years in the senate.
As far as i can see, rottawa has a way of "shaping" people.

Merry Christmas

Jay, Ottawa
said

don.h said, "oh my god we are going to have 18 less senators to elect our next liberal leader, suck it up folks, canadians are starting to realise that canada is not ontario, and liberals are not royalty."

What are you talking about? This comment makes no sense at all.

ExMtl'er in BC
said

The senate is appointed by learned persons that we elected. Persons appointed to the Senate are individuals with a varied and educated past. Most are individuals we would never elect because of the "popularity contest" involved in elections. True intellectuals and persons of importance would never subject themselves to the Hypocrisy we all call free elections.
To have half the parliment elected and the other half appointed is a fair and balanced.
Face it, no government would allow themselves to be seen appointing a Senator that is wasn't who wasn't able to hold the position, making the elected government look bad.
Example; Mike Duffy, great choice, but would anyone ever vote for him if he was to be elected by the plebeins that we are?

Does everybody have a backup plan?
said

This is about plan "A" and plan "B". Who hasn't switched to some backup plan?
What about Duceppe? His plan "A" is separation and apparently his plan "B" is work with the coalition.

Jay, Ottawa
said

I think there are two types of people. Those who understand how the senate works and those who want to reform it.

Bill Nova Scotia
said

hey Raymond (Regina)
$130000 times 18 that's $2,340,000 is this not the same that he was trying to get from the parties from donations so he could make the PC the only Party!!!
makes you wonder

It's not the Liberals blocking Senate reform, fool
said

It's the provinces.

You people have got to find reliable sources of information.

And get yourselves educated!

Dave In Burlington
said

Wow !! How much money does the government have? I mean what 18 X 134 k a year for Senators ??
Thank goodness our PM in hiding is demonstrating restraint in these tough economic times !!!
The budget should fix everything up if the PM has the time now to figure out who goes to the Senate instaed of working on a budget.

Ed
said

All I'll say is good luck Mr. Duffy, I'm not sure who I'm going to be able to get my politic fix from now.

Christopher Bailey, Vancouver, BC
said

My god, would you Conservative apologists and hacks relax already - its Christmas. Harper is a hypocrite, we already know this, so no need to continue with the justifications. Senate reform will have to come, not from the Liberals or the Conservatives, people, but from the provinces. It is written into the Constitution - remember that little document? Harper and his old Reform buddies cannot unilaterally change our form of government without getting the provinces on board - and so far they have not. He has made this move for one reason and one reason only � he knows his days are numbered, and the coalition representing more than 65% of the voters are going to toss him from 24 Sussex Drive, and it�ll be the best thing that ever happened to Canada and frankly, to the Conservative Party too!

Hank in Calgary
said

I get the feeling that many here feel that Canada should be 'Conservative at any cost." From the comments, there is a discernible pro-Conservative voice that would rather state nasty things about the opposition parties, rather than acknowledge the difference between what Stephen Harper says and what he actually does.

Canadians have to be critical of their government, no matter what political biases we may each hold. To blindly support a party, MP or PM without critically evaluating their actions does a dis-service to yourself as well as the country. Don't support every action simply because you dislike another party.

Overwhelmingly, politicians seem to count on our apathy and 'sound-bite attentiveness." Think for yourselves - read in between the lines, ask questions and gain an informed position.

Connie, Smiths Falls
said

The only difference between Harper and the rest of the party leaders is that if they had been in his position they would have had those seats filled long ago!!! He wanted an elected senate, but these other clowns forced his hand...so suck it up!!! They're just mad cause he got to appoint and they didn't.

Sudser
said

How can we be sure we are getting 'sober second thought' ?
Are all these people tea drinkers ?

If we are getting valid 'sober second thought' is there somewhere we Canadians can easily see where these folk are providing improvements to what the House passes ?

Seems like a lot of expense that should have to justify itself ? No ?

Anyway, way to go Harper. Changing your approach to fit the circumstances is not the big deal some are making it out to be.
pensde

Jack in BC
said

On a regular basis, I read and post to the CTV comments sections. The thing that I find particularly disturbing, besides the highly partisan comments that ignore the facts from all sides, is that there seems to be a belief by those in the Eastern side of Canada that those in the Western side of Canada are dumb, red-necks who are too stupid to understand any of the issues discussed. Where does this bigotry come from? When did being a Conservative supporter become synonymous with being an idiot? I think that those who post such rude comments need to give your head a shake; you are propagating an untrue and terrible stereotype that is increasing the feeling of Western alienation. And I'm originally from Toronto so I know first hand that people are equally smart/dumb/confused no matter where they hail from in Canada! Also, to the those who accuse Harper of being an Elitist, aren't you being incredibly hypocritical?

DL
said

Interesting picks ... some of these are more Liberal than the current Liberals sitting!

Now, to set the record straight: Dion agreed with Harper to start Senate Reforms. The initial step was to set 8 year term limits which was agreed upon BY BOTH THE LIBERALS AND THE CPC.

Here was the problem: Dion wanted there to be a vote on that and ONLY that. Harper wanted to push through OTHER legislation along with it.

That is why the senate did not reform. If Harper wasn't such a buffoon and needed to jab at the opposition parties all the time ... then Senate Reform would have achieved the first steps.

John in Ottawa
said

I remember when the House of Commons was also Liberal-dominated. Ah, those were good old days. Not like today, with an arrogant, right-wing hypocrite running (ruining?) the country like a tin-pot dictator.

david
said

I agree with the NDP on only one thing, getting rid of this pigs trough!
This is disgusting in these economic times

Carl
said

These appointments mean fewer liberals in any position of authority so it is a good move. Poor Elizabeth May - that was her ticket to easy street that Mr. Harper gave away...and one less bribe the Liberals could offer. So sad...

Dave
said

Sorry, but Quebec won't let us change our constitution without us letting Quebec have a veto, even though Quebec never signed the constitution.

Nowonder
said

Canadians are complainers, we have to admit. No matter what the PM or anyone does, it is a reason to complain. If only we put the same amount of energy trying to do something about the things we complain about!

Greg - Signs and Wonders
said

What a waste of $$$, our or should I say "their" senate.

kris
said

A Prime Minister who has had to lock the doors to stay in power makes appointments in his last days and then tries to sell it as protecting the will of the people? Ridiculous.

Larry
said

It's about time Canada adopted the Aussie senate where they are elected in each general election. The senate in Australia has several independent members who vote as they see fit and not as ordered by party heirachy. Works well down here!

K
said

I don't like Harpers politics but he has every right to fill the senate seats.

Hey Flaherty when your announce your 2009 budget why not propose the abolishment of the penny and save the Canadian tax payers $100 million a year.

Wally
said

The news outlets should stop having these boards altogether. 3 days before Xmas and all that's on here is a group of paid party hacks crowing about some perception of someone else's pain. How disgusting! Real Canadians aren't interested in this mockery of "discussion" and shame on the media outlets for allowing trolls to spread their propaganda like this. I am disgusted by Canadians behaviour towards each other. Journalism used to be a respectable occupation but the advent of anonymous comment boards on web sites has reduced it to lower than Entertainment Tonight. And all you people out there, paid or not, who consider it a Christmas present to see other's in pain, real or not, you disgust me!

David in Toronto
said

Time to disband the Senate. Remove the GG (Queen) while we at it. Too many useless levels of government functioning without any true purpose.

Nick in Gatineau
said

What would happen if say the Liberals win a Majority senate and the Conservaties a majority house ? Then what ?

Still in the same boat.

What if its the reverse, Majority Liberal House and Majority Conservative Senate ?

Still in the same boat.

In fact, it strongly resembles typical coalition tactics encountered worldwide when one has to pass a bill the other does not like.

Elected just means that the PM washes his hands at the idea of patronage - He has nothing to do with them because the people elected them. But it still does nothing to remove the partisanry or the patronage. Who would nominate these people ? The Parties.

Elected or not, Senators are Patronage appointments.

To get rid of the Senate, or modify its obligations, guidelines, power, etc., you have to open the Constitution. Simply passing a bill doesn't work.

Good luck with that.

Why not remove ourselves from the British Commonwealth ? Why not stop using the Queen on our money (we pay to use the trademark) ? Why not abolish the GG ? Why not abolish her guards (tourists love them) ? Why not abolish what is 100 % English-borne ? What about Scottish-borne ?
Or are English Canadians so hell bent on ruining french culture but not their own ?

After all, Fair is Fair. Right ?

Don J
said

Merry Xmas, everyone! Such good cheer on these boards. Let's take a second and shake our heads. The Senate IS important. It is also important that each government in power make their own appointments. Most PMs do appoint in a partisan fashion to an extent, but also use the appointments to reach out to other sectors and parties (Martin appointed the first NDP Senator, for instance). If you followed politics at all, you would know that Liberal and Tory Senators alike agree the upper house needs reform, and you'd also know those bills were killed by your hero Harper. Liberals don't have an issue with Harper appointing Senators - in fact he has been publicly encouraged to rather than keep the seats empty for three years, crippling democracy in the Senate and blaming it on the Liberals. Most Senators actually do a great deal of work, and are very important to Canada. There are no more lazy Senators than there are lazy people in any sector. Harper is being criticized because he is a hypocrite and insofar as qualified Senators go, he chose the b-list. Get your facts straight and cut out the hate, will you?

Gord
said

Jonathan in Winnepeg.. Why is it "fair" to have equal representation of provinces which have highly different populations? How is it fair that one vote in PEI would equal 90 votes in Ontario. How would a woman feel if she were "made equal to men" by making her vote worth one half a man's vote?
The reformers say they wanted equal representation from each province because this would symbolize the equality of the provinces. Isn't that like saying we don't have racial equality unless we have equal numbers or red, white, yellow and black Canadians in the senate?

Plus the reality is that representation in the House of Commons is skewed to over-represent provinces like Prince Edward Island. So the senate represents regions and the House of Commons also is skewed to over-represent the little bitsy, provinces like the maritimes - just like the senate!

If the senate is there to represent the provinces, then maybe the provincial governments should appoint the senators. Who needs to waste more money on a redundant house full of elected, bickering partisans?

ramon
said

Isn't there a way to abolish the Senate? It's been nothing more than patronage and a waste of money. I will have no issue if we get to elect these senators. But appointed and unelected for a term longer than most of our elected officials - this is ridiculous. It's nothing more than diamond-studded pensions for the well-connected.

PrairieDog
said

TOM: Contact your local LIBERAL MP and convince him/her that you want Senate Reform. Oh wait...it is the Liberals that you elected who are against it.
This was the complete right action to take by the PM. To leave those seats to be filled with left wingers, would prove Canada a farce. How can a democracy function, when there is representation from one side of the political spectrum and not the other? It would make Canada a laughing stock. If the Liberals would simply follow what most Canadians want, and back the proposition of the Conservatives, we'd have an elected Senate in the next election. No they oppose the PM, and call him a liar, then those same Liberals call the PM down for not keeping his promise. The hypocrisy is over the moon.

Rachel in Sask
said

Harper has every right to appoint senators, though some might consider it dishonest, considering his promises.

Personally, I'd appreciate if he appointed people who were actually qualified. Some of his choices are actually laughable. I can't wait until the senate is reformed--it's an archaic stain on our democracy.

Vern
said

am ashamed to be called a Canadian today. I was ashamed when the PM broke his own Election Law, a law that was written for one. I was ashamed when the PM prorogued parliament to avoid a non confidence vote. His actions today appointing 18 Senators disgusts me. I am ashamed of the Governor General for not standing up to his riduculus conduct. I am ashamed.

Gordon W
said

It's unfortunate that we have to have a Senate that is mostly useless and filled with non elected senators. Mr Harper had no choice but to appoint these Senators since the Provinces and Liberals are dragging their feet. With more Conservatives it just might become a useful branch of government.

GJ
said

2 broadasters and a skier ,, SENATORS?

and you wonder why the country is in trouble.Ok, I can get why the country needs experience with someone going downhill fast.

Canada , where the cost of a rubber stamp is $133,000 per year

Old Joe
said

I can't help but wonder if there is a dire shortage of qualified candidates who would accept the job as a senator or is Harper really that ill advised or just that poor a judge of makes a quality senator

Ardith Juby
said

Congratulations Prime Minister Harper.
Perhaps now the Senate can work as it was intended and not sit on its butt due to the Liberals taking up seats and doing nothing.
Please keep working for Senate reform.
The "Coalition" would have filled the seats with NPD and Bloc before you could blink an eye and heaven forbid this ever happens.

Ardith
Merrickville

Ron In Niagara
said

For all you Liberal Lovers: Now I understand why Dion wanted to run a coalition government :...Just so he could get more Liberal senitors in...Hope they all find coal in there gready stockings..

Ray
said

I think that this pm is a joke, he fails to honor election promises, misguides Canadians about the economy during the election, does nothing about the issues after election, closes the house before he gets tossed out of office and then pulls this stunt! Appointing individuals that were not re-elected during the past election and even appointing an athletic! A definite move in the right direction during this global economic slump! Yes, Harper is definitely the skipper that Canada needs at the helm at this point in our country's history!

Jeff
said

It is sad that a PM who was so against these patronage appointments now joins the ranks of the liberal and conservative governments of the past; and fills vacant seats in a toothless segment of government. Rather than waste millions on a group of people, some of whom never show up at sittings, Mr Harper would have been better off abolishing the senate..

M. Cameron
said

We don't need senates in the provinces. Get rid of the federal senate.

Peter Rapsey
said

How about making it a House of the Provinces and Territories. It should still be a house of sober (hopefully) second thought and it should continueas an unelected body. However each province should have 10 senators (territory should have 5) chosen by the leaders of the Provincial parties in proportion to the vote % at the last provincial election. This might ensure less bipartisanship and more valuable input.

Tim from Nova Scotia
said

To "Johnathon in Winnipeg"...there are 4 provinces in Atlantic Canada just like Western Canada, I could make a comment about westerners not even knowing about Canada because they are so wrapped up in their own lives but I won't. The reason the Atlantic Canadians have these seats has nothing to do with population and everything to do with regional policy. Since we don't have the population and all of our resources and businesses and taxpayer dollars since confederation have been raped and pillaged by "Central Canada" we are guaranteed at least with the senate to have some sort of a say since we don't have the MPs to do it. The same resaon exists for the West. The HOC is population based and skewed farther by Quebec guaranteed seats, we would never have any say in this country and despite your obvious disdain for us Atlantic Canadians we are 40% of the countrie's provinces. I love the west but you guys whine as much as the Quebeckers when it comes to politics.

LetItSnow
said

I love it. even though the cons are out numbered by 20 senators still. The cons will have the majority. Cuz the libs never show up anyway

Janet, Ottawa
said

Harper = Hypocrite

John from Saskatoon
said

Glad to see Duff get a seat but what about Mike Duffy Live? I can't watch Politics with Don Newman.

Tony C
said

Mike Duffy - Senator. Didn't he complain quite often about Senators supposedly doing nothing? Why would he accept a Senate appointment? Isn't that a tad duplicitous? Perhaps he'll now understand the actual work that senators do. During the last election campaign, I found his program to be very biased in favour of the Conservatives. This confirms his on-air bias on a program that was supposed to be balanced.

Elizabeth - Vancouver/Quadra
said

Gordon Campbell, Premier of B.C. last week says he sees no need for a Senate.

One more broken election promise, Income trust, fixed election dates, elections for senators, the list goes on and on. I love it, power corrupts - doesn't matter who it is. It is particularly "smelly" from a party who brags about honesty.

City Buddha
said

And Pat Quinn will be minister of sports and recreation.

Please .......

Jonathan in Winnipeg
said

Annoyed in Alberta said: I ask that you point out any organization (large or small) which doesn't have delinquent members. Are all MPs where they ought to be every minute of the day? The Senate is appointed in order that the members (once installed) are not beholden to any political party agenda, regardless who appointed them. The structure of the Senate requires population based representation from every region of the country ~ something the House of Commons can't guarantee.

First, absent mps and senators for various reasons is acceptable. Consistently delinquent members should be removed.

Second, check out the senate site. It lists the affiliation of each senator, so impartiality is not even suggested on the senate web site.

Third, the senate is not represented by population only by region. For example, the population of Atlantic Canada 1.8 million, 24 Senate seats; the population of Western Canada 10.1 million, 24 senate seats. Provinces in Atlantic Canada: 3. Provinces in Western Canada: 4. To say that we have any sort of real representation is a farce.

Do not pretend the senate is working the way it is set up now. Let every province have six senators and two for each territory. That would be fair representation and would save us the cost of 42 senators. Then it might be an effective senate.

G.D.
said

If there's no money there's a deficet.Why is Mr. Harper appointing so many close freinds to the senate? What I think is that Mr. Harper is a bigger crook that Mr. Bush. Wake up Canada let's get him out.

Jim-Surrey
said

Way to go Stephen. It is time the Liberals were put in their place as they won't listen to the electorate!
Now also maybe Layton will get the message too and sit there and actually earn that public funding that he shouldn't be getting!
Now maybe this country can get back on track and the whining oppositions will get the message they need to work with you instead of against you to get the important issues solved and quickly!

chaulches
said

The thing that scares me is that if the Liberals regain power then they will keep on bloating the senate with their CROONIES and senate reform will remain a pipe dream.

Michael Stewart, Toronto
said

The fact the Senate appointments were carried out while Parliament was prorogued shows Harper's disdain for Parliament, not the Senate. Forget all of his doubletalk about 'reform'. That was just him fooling the electors into voting from him. If anyone doubts that, look at today's Supreme Court appointment. Where is the Parliamentary vetting panel to interrogate the judge prior to appointing? Harper is truly the master of hypocrisy!

Pat Birch
said

I believe he is doing the right thing in filling these seats. I can't imagine how he can keep his cool when no matter what is proposed, opposition knocks it down. Prime Minister Harper is a better human being then most dealing with everything and keeping his cool. God help us if Mr. Layton ever comes to power with his so-called colition.

Edwin from Toronto
said

Make sure all new senates buy cars made in Canada by the big 3, as part of the bailout package.

These are taxpapyers subsidy for non-sense as well.

Kellie C.
said

Yeah for Mike Duffy! This American is so pleased to have him recognized and he will be an asset to the Canadian Senate. Bravo!

Patricia Ann
said

I could sure use the money and I promise I would go to work every day. I could do just as good a job as Pamela Wallin any day and I would give old Mike Duffy a run for his money! How about some of us regular folks being included? Might liven up the whole place and even get some work done!

Twisted
said

Ok ok, this is Canadian politics. Change is inevitable. Lets just hope that these new inductes are mindfull people.

Gord
said

Hey Les from Surrey. I like your idea, but for Surrey to get four senators, we would have to become a province. Maybe that would work. Then then maybe Surrey with 400,000 people would get the same representation as PEI 4 senators for 135,000 people.
Instead, at present, BC with 4 million people gets 6 senators and New Brunswick with 730,000 people gets 10 senators. Yep. And the Conservatives have no plans to change that because they have to get permission from the provinces. But they still try to make people believe that they will make the senate democratic by electing senators. And of course, if Quebec uses the same process as Alberta to elect senators, there would be 24 Bloc Quebecois senators elected to represent Quebec. That is the Conservatives version of "democratic reform".

The Scribe
said

Its about time...and to everybody who blasts Stephen Harper for these "patronage" appointments, you are simply part of the scenario of the pot calling the kettle black. Why not ask yourselves how there happened to be SO many Liberals in the Senate in the first place? It sure as anything was NOT the Conservatives who put them in there, was it?
And yes we DO need the Senate to be reformed or maybe even abolished.

Grigori
said

Yonah Martin is a great addition!! She has a lot of abilities; only with people like her Senate could be reformed from within! Congratulations from snowy Coquitlam, BC!

Steve in PEI
said

This has been pointed out, but I think needs to be hammered home for the Conservative hacks in attendance: It doesn't matter if Harper were in a position to fire the entire senate and replace them with imported Republicans, he still can't reform the Senate. It takes more than a bill being passed, you have to actually change the constitution, which means the provinces have to agree to it. Which means that Harper would have to work with the provinces, and he can't even work with his own cabinet ministers unless they meekly submit to his will in all things. That means if the Senate is going to change (my vote is to abolish it, or else just leave it the way it is and try and tune out the Senate reform drama queens) it will take a greater Prime Minister than Harper will ever be to accomplish it.

That said, I have to say I don't mind the Senate the way it is, and I actually think Harper's appointments were pretty good. A lot of interesting, prominent people with something to contribute and it doesn't seem like he has appointed a pack of ideological hacks like he could have and probably wanted to. It's about time he did his duty and filled the vacant seats.

don.h
said

oh my god we are going to have 18 less senators to elect our next liberal leader, suck it up folks, canadians are starting to realise that canada is not ontario, and liberals are not royalty.

Pegger
said

Harpercrit has again followed in the footsteps of his hero Mulroney who stacked the senate to pass the GST into law.

After breaking his fixed election date law before his first term was over, now he shows his hypocrisy again.

Bob
said

I'm a liberal. I applaud Harper for finally setting people into the Senate so they can get some work done. With only a few Cons to do all the work that needs to be done, they would have either been overworked, or just NOT working. But...its not their fault. In fact, it IS Harper's fault for leaving them in that situation, only because he wanted to change the way the Senate worked. But, I still want to point out he fact that most here do not seem to know that it's a CONSTITUTIONAL change that is required...so its not like it could happen overnight, or even in a few years.

One other thing that STILL doesn't seem to be getting through to some people is how our government is selected. We DO NOT vote for a Prime Minister. We DO NOT vote for a party. We VOTE for a REPRESENTATIVE ONLY. It is those representatives that form the government. It's a pretty simple concept really...

Lean on me!
said

If you are going to go against your principle, Harpo should have filled it with ex CFL, NHL and Union Leaders... ooops wrong show!

rosemarynew
said

Aw shucks, I was looking forward to watching Mike and his guests make comments on the newly appointed senators tonight. I guess Friday was his last show. P.E.I. should be proud. I am going to miss you terribly Mike but CONGRATULATIONS anyway. A big loss to we viewers but a big gain for P.E.I. AND CANADA. Thank you Mr. Harper.

Kirk Bellamy Charlottetown, PEI
said

Mike Duffy...

Don't take the appointment. We need you on Parliament Hill in your current capacity to keep these jokers honest! Your being silenced is a loss for democracy... Don't do it!

Mary Clarke
said

You Coaliltion supporters have consistently said you wanted the gamed played YOUR way.
Well,this is your way.You should be thrilled with the appointments.
If you can't change the way the current Senate stands,then keep on appointing Mr.Harper.
The Opposition's only complaints,are really that couldn't do the appointing this time.
At least be truthful about it.
Besides,with Chretien's 72 appointments,while in Office,it will take a loong time to rid the Senate of all the Liberal stink.

John Bark
said

A brilliant tactical move for Harper! Now to move towards an absolute majority Conservative government.

John Bark,
Vancouver

Raj
said

Good for him! if the three others got in, the libs would have all the seats, and maybe give some to the bloc! way to go PM!:))))

George, Fall River, NS
said

Just another sign that Harper is in panic mode.

Bob,Calgary,Alberta
said

The Liberals haven't got a leg to stand on in criticizing Harper's appointments since they filled this chamber with their own pork for many years. If the coalition of stupidity had obtained undemocratic power they would have packed the Senate with their cronies posthaste, perhaps even some Bloquistes would get to feed from the public trow. The only answer to the Senate is an elected body representing the regions so the West can at least have some power to block the tyranny of Ontario / Quebec. Unless Canada changes and the electoral power of the Quebec/Ontario populations is mitigated Canada will see continual disatisfaction with this unequal confederation from Western Canadians. We are sick and tired of all policy in Canada favouring Quebec and Ontario usually to the disadvantage of the West.

Allen Robertson
said

To Raymond of Regina.

2,340,000.00 is well worth the spending. You think the Lib/NDP/Bloc Coalition would have done anything different. NO. They would have padded the wallets of their chosen cronies, and 6 of them would have been Bloc/Separatists.

Once again all you Liberals think that you have all the answers......I remember the RED BOOK, DO YOU?

Jacqueline
said

Based on the current political situation, the PM would be stupid not to fill the vacant senate seats.

Bruce
said

If the usual Liberal Senators keep up to their attendance records there might be some actual progress made in Senate reform.

Aberta Duffy Fans
said

Mike Duffy------congrats--congrats----congrats to the Upper Chamber, we are so happy for you.
We will miss seeing you every day but we are so excited for you.

Bridget from Durham
said

As much as I have loved to watch Mike Duffy Live being a political junkie, Mr. Duffy was getting very difficult to watch. His shows were like free conservative infomercials. I remember particularly on the night of Harper's speech to the nation about the coalition, Duffy was going on and on about the hard work the conservative ministers were doing. At least he can show his true colours without shame now. No hard feelings though - Mr. Duffy is a great Canadian and I congratulate him on his appointment.

Shirley Halifax.
said

Mike Duffy? Why?
I always knew he was PC--his reporting always leaned in favor of the PC.

Brandon, Alberta
said

I�m all in favour of senate reform but in my opinion having to vote for the senate is useless. Less than 60% voted at the federal election. How many would vote for a senator. Furthermore, can anyone name 5 senators, or who was the last senator appointed to the senate before today. What I would like happen is make up of the senate be similar to the popular vote during a federal election. The last time a prime minister won more than 50% of the popular vote was I believe Brian Mulroney. Most times no one party would have control of the senate and the senate would be forced to work together in the best interest of the country, one would hope. Senators would still be appointed by the party but be paid as a contact worker. At the time of the contact the benefit would be spelt out. That way no senator could get some gold plated pension and �keep them honest�. If they are good at there job they may be appointed again for another possible 4 year term. For the make up the senate for example in the past election. The conservative won 37% of the vote and would get 37% the senate divided between the regions in the country. Liberal won 26%, NDP 18%, Green 6% and Bloc 10%. Each party would have to all apply there senate seat to all part for the country according. This would also penalize regional interest parties such as the Bloc. The Bloc could have 10% of the senate seats allocated to Quebec, but since they don�t run candidates in the rest of the country they would only be limited to Quebec. The remainder of other appointees would be divided amount the other parties that run candidate in all provinces. I hope all of this makes sense (might be a little wordy and confusing). This also might help increase voter turnout during the federal election now that people know that their vote is making up the senate distribution.

Gord
said

It is ludicrous to suggest that we are better electing senators before we change the highly anti-democratic representation in the senate where BC has six senators to represent 4 million people and New Brunswick has 10 senators to represent about half a million.

The Harper "reform" proposals stink like a dead skunk. Fix the damn representation and THEN ASK US whether we want to elect them. Or better yet, abolish the senate and use the money wasted on these old party hacks to consult with Canadians on legislative changes.

Sammy Willard from Barrie
said

First, let's get some things straight here:
1. Nowhere in the "Coalition Agreement" is there mention that the Bloc (or NDP or Liberal parties) would get 6 Senate seats. I honestly have no idea where some of you arrived at that brilliant deduction.
2. In order to get Senate reform, you do not need Liberal (or Conservative) approval.
3. It takes a change to our "Constitution" which requires that seven out of ten provinces must OK the change.
4. It would also take a change to the Constitution to remove the Queen as Head of State and do away with the post of Governor General. Again 7 out of 10 provinces would have to approve, not the Libs or the Pc's.

gaetan st jean
said

gaetan verner on another elegal act by a dictator is there no room for commun sense

DGRose
said

The Liberals laughed Senate reform out of the House when Harper first brought it up, now they cry "no fair fighting back" when PM Harper plays by their rules and balances out the Senate to this slight degree. The provinces need to get their collective act together and demand an elected Senate with fixed terms or both ends of the spectrum will just keep doing this ridiculous go-around over and over.

M. Pellerin
said

Will these porkers have the decency to resign when Harper is no longer prime minister (that day cant come soon enough) or has he saddled us with a bunch of parasites to be supported at public expense until alzheimers or old age delivers us from the burden?

Charles B.C.
said

Have to laugh at some of these comments condemming Harper for 'changing his mind'
If he sticks to his guns, he's accused of being dogmatic and intransigent. If he doesn't he's accused of being a hypocrite.
What do these people want? (apart from the obvious one of getting their own 'boys back in power) They say he can't reform the senate without changing the constitution which requires the approval of the provinces, (which is true) but complain when he accepts that for now that's impossible and tries to make the Senate as functional as it can be under the circumstances.
One little aside. If this means Duffy will have to give up his job, I, for one will miss him

Mike B, Kamloops
said

As far as I know, there have only been two Senators elected in Canadian history, Stan Waters, and Ted Brown. By appointing these memebers, the Conservatives have shown they are ready to reform senate. It is actually up to the provinces to supply the the PM with a list of possible appointments. If the provinces do not want to elect these people then the Pm is forced to make appointments. Alberta has held senate Elections in the past, and the Liberals have just ignored the results appointing there own hacks like Mitchell and Ghitter. The liberals fear true democracy and change. At the every least Harper is saying that change is needed.

Ron
said

The only thing that surprises me is that Stephen did not appoint himself to the senate , thereby guaranteeing himself an income to 75 regardless of what happens at the end of January.

Brenda
said

I don't believe Harper had much choice given that it was rumored just a few weeks ago that the Bloc would get 6 senate seats had a coalition been formed. Knowing that his Government could go down in Jan, I believe he made the most responsible choice by doing this before another party did.

Robbot
said

Good for Mike Duffy. No one has worked harder for a Harper senate appointment.

Victor
said

I hope we don't lose the Duff Man....and Mike Duffy Live !!

It was a great choice for Canada to include one of my favorites in the Hill--Mike Duffy.

Congrats, Duff.

Concerned Canadian
said

Right on Harper. You can't have what you want --an elected senate so balance all the Liberal seats with some Conservatives. Maybe then the sober second thought that the senate is supposed will be fair too.

To all Canadians: Our parlimentary system needs reform. First we need to get rid of the Queen as head of state. Respect her yes and have her as a rulerif needs be, but one without powers. It's about time we stood on our own. This is supposed to be a Democracy, how can we in this day and age, allow the unelected Governor General to hold sway over our elected officials.

Next we need an elected Senate, not old men on some party's patronage and who don't show up half the time. We need a real elected senate who can truely be the voice of sober second thought.

David from Sudbury
said

The senate needs to be appointed, for a variety of reasons.

For me, the most important reason is that if it were elected, we might end up with people like many of the participants in this discussion as senators - people who have no concept of how our government works, no concept of the role of the senate and no concept of how to put together a coherent sentence.

The only reform necessary would be with regards to the manner in which senators are appointed. It would be nice if the person doing it would show a bit of integrity and respect towards Canadians and appoint based on competency and potential contribution to the positive development of our great country. Harper instead chose to follow tradition and appoint (reward?) the usual party supporters...

His downfall in the House can't come fast enough.

sandi - Mtl
said

Well, it's interesting to note that in all of the Harper bashing going on here none of you Liberals can be honest enough to see how one sided the Senate is and needs change. I support Harper doing the patronage thing because at least most Conservates are on the same page. Do you Liberals think you are more Canadian or something than the rest of us? I voted Green and will never do so again because of Ms. May's excitement over a possible Senate position claiming she had over 1 million votes! C'mom, check the demographics of her riding. I don't think there are 1 million people in all of NS!! The whole situation in Ottawa stinks and I will definitely vote Conservative in the next election because I now firmly believe that no party can do a good job unless they form a majority gov't. Do NOT even mention an unelected coalition to me! Way to go though for Mike Duffy.

Raymond (Regina)
said

Further to the $2,340,000 I feel this is a waste right now, that could have gone to be used for other infrastructure spending at the moment, what is more important, padding 18 peoples wallets, or helping out the many that have lost out on their jobs right now.

John E
said

Well this is a joke on Mr. Harper..... he calls for triple E senate than he appoints Fabian Manning one of his MPs in 2006 who didn't even get elected as an MP during the last election. Guess we went from triple E to Doulble E in fact if the people vote that they don't want you Harper will appoint you to the senate. Crazy Times!

David
said

Harper is a political animal. That's all. He's not a governmental leader; not a prime minister; not a statesman. His actions are all founded on political expediency. That's it. Everything else is a farce.Election every four years? Right! Elected Senate? Right! Why do we put up with this hypocrisy?

Allen Robertson
said

I read one comment saying 130,000 x 18= 2,340,000. What a waste of taxpayers money. Well, 58 x 130,000 = 7,540,000. and they are all Liberals, and the majority of them don't even show up.
But, when it comes to benefiting the Belle Province, they do. If the coalition had appointed the 18 Senators, 6 x 130,000= 780,000 to the Bloc, and these welfare bums don't even want to belong to Canada, but they sure like pigging out at the trough.
I personally think, that Harper did the right thing in making these appointments, for the Liberals have stacked the Senate with their cronies for too long.

DC
said

It sucks but if Harper doesn't fill the seats the coalition will...with more Liberals and some NDP and perhaps even a Bloc-friendly senator.

The senate definitely needs to be reformed as a part of modernizing the way we govern ourselves including eventually reforming our head of state so we never have a King Charles of Canada.

But it takes time and until then it's better to choose the lesser of two evils. And one party furthering their dominance of the senate would be a lot of evil.

Jan
said

Finally the Senate could function as it should.
The PM made the right choice.

Ron
said

Why is this taking so long? One of the next election's main platforms should be on senate reform. It is about Canada makes this an elected body that serves and is responsible to the public. The public will determine how responsible they are by re-electing or not re-electing them every 4 or 5 years.

Gail (Hamilton)
said

Congratulations to all the new Senators! PM Harper thank you especially for attempting to level the playing field of the current Liberal dominated senate. I will miss Mike Duffy, an excellent host who performed his job exceptionally well, with an unbiased approach. I hope CTV continues the show, with a host/ess that is equally unbiased.

Ron Jefkins Niagara Falls
said

As usual, the neo Con supporters of Mr. Harper ignore all previously written information about Senate Reform. The Liberals have NOT obstructed changes. In Parliament before it was prorogued was an agreement put there by the Liberal Senate for the start of Reform. Also, true reform of the Senate requires constitutional reform and the support of the provinces. For heavne's sake , why don't you idiots do some research rather than just shoot off your mouths !

Robert Jarvis
said

We have reached a new low in Canadian Democratic history. While the PM may have the legal authority to make these appointments, he has lost the moral authority to do so. Regardless of ones political affiliation, this is an outrage. Harper and his gang of political hacks have to go, he is making the coalition look better and better.

Ed L
said

Re: comments by Duff Conacher. If these fairly obscure, trivial issues are the worst faults about Harper that his left-wing group can find, I'd say Harper has to rank as one of the best PM's we've ever had. C'mon, Democracy Watch, surely you can find something important to criticize.

les
said

Way to go king Stevie. We in Canada need another PEI senator like our need to slow the economy. If PEI has one senator then on a population basis my city (Surrey) should have four.

Karen
said

people have to realize that if Harper sincerely wanted to appoint the senate with appropriate, sincere non-partisan senators - he would have supported past bills bought forward by both the opposition and senators that would have required an appointment within 6 months of a vacancy... his claims that the senate is disfunctional is pathetic because **ALL** the bills died IN THE HOUSE - not the senate....

he also has to realize that the PROVINCES (not the so-called opposition) doesn't want senate reforms either

there needs to be an independent panel that picks senate appointments

Snowy in Orangeville
said

Congrats to Duff, but don't want his TV show to disappear.

I nominate Anwar Knight to take over political input. He has credibility, confidence, TV presence, and can convey content.

John timmermans
said

I congratulate the Prime Minister for adding 18 new senators, That is still only 38 Conservative compared to 58 Liberals. After the next election when Harper gets a majority government, senators will then be elected. Harper is doing a wonderful job as PM. Let's hope the coalition is dead.

Paul
said

I would still like to see an elected senate and senate reform. But until this can happen this is the only thing and right thing to do.
He choose well.

Neil
said

maybe we should get Mr Harper to have a canada wide vote so that each and everyone of us can vote on the establishment of a commission to establish an elected senate. The commission could be selected by lottery using those that voted and based on population not to exceed say 30 members. Then using the UK revised House of Lords, the US senate and the Australian senate as guidlines (and the Aussies have a very unique system)establish a truly modern Canadian Senate.

Duff Conacher
said

The appointment of 18 Senators. most of whom are Conservative cronies, is only one of three ways in which Prime Minister Harper continues to practise patronage politics as usual, and only adds to the 27 democratic reform promises the Conservatives have broken since they were first elected.

The Conservatives also promised to establish a Public Appointments Commission to ensure public, merit-based searches for Cabinet appointees.

Prime Minister Harper broke this promise after opposition parties made changes to ensure the Commission would be non-partisan and independent. The Conservative Cabinet has gone on to appoint more than 1,000 people, many with Conservative ties.

The Conservatives also broke their promise to prevent party leaders from appointing election candidates, and Prime Minister Harper went even further by appointing several Conservative candidates.

Prime Minister Harper has also made false claims about why he has broken these promises, as usual blaming others for his own failures.

No one will be surprised to learn that the Prime Minister also used his so-called "Accountability Act" to cut the ethics rule that requires him and his Cabinet and senior government officials to be honest -- given his many broken promises and deep dishonesty the Prime Minister obviously wanted to protect himself from being found guilty of breaking the honesty rule.

Canadians deserve better.

Sincerely,
Duff Conacher, Coordinator
Democracy Watch

Ed, Toronto
said

Please note: Harper did NOT promise never to appoint an unelected senator. He said he didn't want to. And he did hold off as long as he could, until he really had no choice due to Liberal greed.

I believe that he still wouldn't have, if only Iggy had pledged publicly that he too would never appoint an unelected senator. But that didn't happen. Of course not. The Liberals wanted those seats for their cronies, as usual. Yet somehow Harper is the bad guy?

Stephen Reid
said

For anyone that believes that the Liberals are holding back on reform of the senate, please check constitutional law. It is the provinces that have to agree to change the elected senate. It is in the constitution, and it doesn't matter what party has a majority in the senate. I wish, for once and for all, Harper tells the truth. I know it is hard, but the Canadian public is a reasonably intelligent one - enough of Karl Rove tactics!

The funk
said

Anne M states "Interesting!! Not one person from Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba."

P. Wallin is from Wadena, Saskatchewan.

JPF
said

This is leadership??!!
We are sinking in a global economic crisis, Parliament is prorogued, and what does Harper do? Name 18 people to cushy seats at the Senate trough in the name of the Conservative Party.

Hank in Calgary
said

Hmmm, I see Stephen Harper missed (or was turned down by) such similar populist choices as Rick Mercer, Red Green, Anne Murray and Celine Dion among others. What is this PM up to these days? His time is at an end, so he should save his party some grief and let someone else take over.

As for the Senate itself, the provinces need to get together and organize a procedure for Senate election and governance that is decided through the provinces, with Senators loyal to the provinces and not federal parties. It is really the provinces that need to step up and initiate reform of the Senate. Otherwise it will be the old adage, "Same crap, different pile."

Jamie, NS
said

Had we been talking senator appointments 1-2 month ago I would have no problem with the appointments. You can call him a hypocrite or not but promises don't always get kept in office. Things change.
The question I have: Is it ethical considering the current poltical landscape for Harper to appoint senators after his position as Prime Minister has come in to question? In my opinion, No.

Odette
said

What everyone needs to keep in mind when arguing about changing the senate is that the senators themselves have the supreme power to veto anything that comes into their chamber. So I hate to tell you but, the senate will never be reformed into an elected one. Let alone abolished. So good for Harper for helping to even things up in there. Shame on him for preaching a policy he knows won't ever happen.

George
said

I agree with many that the senate should be reformed; abolished . . . maybe?

Good selection I would say but one thing all PM's miss is that the senate should also contain one other element for balance. A number should be picked from the general populace like you and me. You know hard working, tax paying people that have no political experience other than common sense. I would say these should be from the 45-60 year old bracket for they have a good work ethic; not like the younger ones of today who are always plugged into some electronic device or cannot see past the confines of some inane video game. Those that have worked through the ranks, know what the true effects of an economic downturn are and what to do about it.

Well that's my two cents worth. Better take it for it will only be worth a penny tomorrow.

Annoyed in Alberta
said

I'm tired of Senate bashing. Too many Canadians, Stephen Harper being top of the list, seem to have slept through grade five civics class. And before any of you shout at me about delinquent senators, I ask that you point out any organization (large or small) which doesn't have delinquent members. Are all MPs where they ought to be every minute of the day? The Senate is appointed in order that the members (once installed) are not beholden to any political party agenda, regardless who appointed them. The structure of the Senate requires population based representation from every region of the country ~ something the House of Commons can't guarantee. The function of the Senate is to provide final scrutiny of bills passed by Parliament and, where necessary or appropriate, to offer ameliorating amendments. Sadly and unavoidably, every Prime Minister makes Senate appointments of "like minded" people in the hope of hijacking the Senate agenda. Remember how Brian Mulroney used it to enact the GST? The disgrace today is the display of yet another act confirming that Mr Harper hasn't the faintest clue how our Constitutional Monarchy is constructed. Just as he couldn't do anything but foment discord in the House and shut it down rather that face the consequences, he has utterly failed even to attempt to build the kind of country wide consensus required to amend the Senate. He merely shouts from the rooftops that he (and he alone) will reform it. He is committing billions of dollars to the auto industry with no House discussion or scrutiny. He is an example of a dictator without either the banana or the republic he so desires.

Larry NL
said

The senate is a waste of tax payers money, in the way that they are appointed. They should be an elected senate that is more accountable to the people and not the party.
Mr. Harper did what he had to do by appointing the 18 senate seats. If the liberals or any other party had the opportunity, they would have done the same thing. As they have done in the past.
Your not perfect Mr. Harper, but by far you are the closest to it that we have.

eskiefan
said

I think this is a good move by the PM. It will balance out the senate more and help to pave the way for an elected senate as soon as it can be done. I'm particularly happy for Mike Duffy. I can't think of a better or more knowledgeable and fair person to be chosen as a senator. Congratulations, Mike! Hoping to keep hearing from you in your new role.

Andrew Nicol
said

I think this is another step towards senate reform. Since the Liberals continue to filibuster any reform, Harper will work within the system to change it from the inside rather than from the outside. I have mixed feelings about Mike Duffy being appointed. On the one hand, I think he will do an excellent job, but on the other hand, I will miss his excellent show.

Dale Wilson - Edmonton
said

There had been rumours that Mike Duffy was getting a seat in the Senate...and I'm appalled...we'll miss you on TV Mike...seriously...you have a way about you and a knowledge of how the system works that will be impossible to replace on TV.

LONG LIVE MIKE!

Club 24
said

Raymond(Regina):
"Remember 60+% did not vote for Conservatives so why is he forcing these senators down the people who did not vote for him"

Thanks for the fun with stats lesson, it made my morning. Revisionist, at best but more likely ignorance speaking. No party had more support than the CPC, get over it. The Liberals had no more support than that when they were flinging appointments to unlikely candidates such as Romeo Dallaire (not a cheap shot, I've served in the same dumps he has). Liberal supporters just don't like the same swig of mouthwash swished to the other cheek.

The way I see it there are three choices. Reform the Senate utterly, make no more un elected appointments and wait for them to all die or retire or do what Harper has done with his constitutionally given rights - appoint some senators against the current tides of Senate, and watch the fun as the Senate becomes a functioning part of government again.

Alex Roberts (Halifax)
said

As the economy tanks, our PM spends his invaluable time fiddling with the Senate and packing it with Tory yes-men.

Will somebody please tell this Harper that the economic crisis demands his full attention?

Nero didn't have a thing on this guy.

Mary Clarke
said

I'd prefer to see the Senate simply abolished.
But since even Senate reform,was not forthcoming,I's rather see Conservatives filling up the Senate,then more Liberals.
We've had way too many years of Liberals complete control ,in the Senate.
At least now,there will be more of a voice coming from the Conservatives.
Why allow more Lib appointments,which is what they would do immediatley,when and if they take back power.

Tom
said

We in Newfoundland did not elect Fabian Manning for a reason, and now he has been appointed to a seat that he does not deserve. Senate seats should be an elected seat. We need reform.

Pip
said

To quite a few of you: PLEASE read the constitution!

Until the constitution is amended to allow for elected senators (and that requires the agreement of a) commons b) senate c) provinces) the only way senators can be created is by prime ministerial nomination. Sure, it would be nice to elect people in each province, and have Harper nominate them. But such referenda cost money at a time when budgets are tight.

Meantime, vacant seats in the chamber of "sober second thought" are now filled, though there are still vacancies. WHat will happen to those seats? One thing is for sure, under a coalition, they would be filled with Liberal and NDP insiders in just the same sort of cronyism as they are accusing Harper of.

In the meantime, the constitution rules, so whine on! Better still, convince your local Liberal and NDP parties that an elected senate would be good for the nation - good luck, you'll need it.

Glenn from Nepean
said

Did anyone see my name on the list.

That's "Glenn McDonald"

Alan in Montreal
said

I can't help but hear Mulroney's words to John Turner during that famous debate..

"Sir, you had a choice"

Harper claims not to believe in an appointed Senate. Once again, Harper likes to make big speeches with big words, but when push comes to shove, just does what he wants anyway.

Isn't this like "Dion has a dumb idea about calling a group of emanate Canadians together to consult about he economy" just 60 days before he himself did the same thing?

I simply have no trust in this man.

Mike Webster, Mississauga
said

Congratulations to Mike Duffy. Overall I'm happy with those picks but I think Appointing Mike Duffy in particular was a good move. Mike knows his way around parliament hill better than probably any of the other nominees. He'll do an excellent job in the senate.

Ray Jacques, Glen Robertson, ON
said

Joel Bain,
The laughing stocks of this Country are Harper and the Conservatives. They are incompetent, dishonest and about to be defeated in the House of Commons.

The Coalition should oust this Conservative government once and for all for the benefit of all Canadians.

Now that Mike Duffy is a Senator, maybe it is time to abolish the Senate, but it will have to be done legally and that requires an ammendment to the Canadian Constitution - which in spite of the appointment of Mike Duffy wo should have been fired for deliberately not honouring a verbal agreement to re-do Mr. Dion's answer to a question with (2) tenses in it (impossible question to answer) abd may have helped Harper to win a little larger majority than he would have otherwise won had this dispicable and ungentlemean act futher demeaned a great man in the eyes of certain Canadians.

The appointment of Mr. Duffy to the Senate showns the lack of respect that Mr. Harper harbours for the Senate and indeed for all of our political institutions.

Happy New Year to ALL !

Anne M
said

In addition to my previous comment: This just shows me that the senate NEEDS to be abolished, and the monies we are paying for salaries funneled elsewhere.

Josh
said

I've been a Conservative loyalist since the party formed. I didn't get a call to go to the Senate.

Disheartening? Very. Necessary? Yes.

Chicken
said

We seem to have many problems...

- appointed senate
- minority gov't think they can legally overthrow an elected government.

Perhaps it is time to update our aged constitution to reflect the changing times and the freedom and rights of the people.

Juanita MacDonald
said

Congradulations to all the new senators. The senate needs to be able to work at full capacity.

rob
said

Elected senate is not bad idea but the term of 8 years is too short.

They need freedom to make choices that wont' get them thrown out each cycle.

They need to be there for the long run to make choices based on past and experience.

We can't be changing them every few years based on the whims of the often "bitchy" electorate.

I also worry that 'elected' could mean "Billy Ray" with no education gets to make choices about our lives? No thank you!

There would HAVE to be mandatory education levels before even considered for election.

Honestly we should really just vote for our party and then they do it. People are bumbling fools I find, and you should not vote in every level of government personally.

Most voters, are terribly ignorant and frankly...stupid.

Angus - A sad day.
said

NO. Please. Not Mike Duffy.
My favourite TV show decimated by this. Say no Mike, I cant live without Mike Duffy Live.

Anne M
said

Interesting!! Not one person from Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba. Where does being a downhill skier, qualify you to be a senator?????

matt scott
said

The Harpies do the opposite of what they say they would do just to poke people in the eye because let,s get serious here. Harper is a student of Leo Strauss who feels that there is a ruling class and it isn't any of the working class. The economy Is in free fall and these clowns are screwing around with the upper house for political reasons that will cost the taxpayer for the forseable future. Once again the Elite stands by and fiddles while everybody else goes down the tubes. The reason? The Elites (Liberals,Cons nothing but lawyers and business people who don't give a hoot about anything but privilage. A pox on all their houses.

Mike is a great guy
said

I like these appointments!

How will we replace Mike Duffy?

"The Sens Political Sport Show"?

mike burnaby BC
said

flip/flopper PM i though harper was against appointing senators. and how will this look right before getting tossed from power. even a conservative voter should question harpers credibility. the writing is on the wall harpers true ambitions are coming to the surface he has made to many costly miscalculations.

Riverdog
said

Oh man...this means the end of Mike Duffy Live! I love his programme.

John Merriam
said

Next November, providing the Conservatives govern until then, Mr. Harper will be in a position to have a majority of Conservatives in the Senate. He can do this by appointing either 4 or eight additional Senators (Check the constitution all you scoffers). He will of course fill Senate seats in the interim, then the 8 special Senators.

At this point in time, he can introduce legislation in the House as a matter of 'confidence' in the government and it will pass both the House and the Senate.

So, sooner than many people expect,we will have real Senate reform.

Noel Leon
said

Senators Mike Duffy and Pamela Wallin.

Finally! The Senate might just become relevant.

Joyous Solstice!

Pat
said

I was under the impression the senate couldn't be reformed right now because the current senators (especially the Liberals) would not pass any bill that kicks themselves out.

Cool Blue
said

People should keep in mind that the Liberals actually introduced a bill in the senate that would have forced Harper to appoint senators.

A few months ago the Liberals were complaining that by not appointing senators Harper was harming the functioning of our government!

Let,s get rid of the senate! Now!
said

The senate is a waste of money no matter who they are Liberal, PC or NDP.

Abolish this asap and use the money to stimulate the aconomy not support retired politicians!

Peter in Edmonton
said

I couldn't have had a better Christmas present than to listen to the pain, tears and hypocrital outrage of Liberals who have sat cozy telling everyone else in the Country who has ever complained about these patronage appointments by Liberal party leaders that, "we just don't understand the system".

Please: cry. stamp your feet. Have a fit. Tell us all how 'unfair' it is and how hypocritial Harper is being.

Die hard, never-scrutinize-a-Liberal, Harper-is-an-American (he's actually from Ontario dummies), I-vote-Liberal-because-my-Baby-Boom-Parents-did deserve a painful and humiliating awakinging. They are always the first to prance around pretending they're more informed than the rest of us when in actuality they've stopped asking questions or paying attention decades ago, and their heroes in the Liberal party are more interested in appeasing the US than any other party in Canada.

Pathetic.

Linda in Vancouver
said

The cost of listening to Liberals whine about this one,PRCELESS.
The Senate,in it's current form is a disgrace to the country,and an afront to the notion there is any thing like a democracy in Canada.
Contrart to what "Ron in NS" says,there ARE reforms hat can be made to the Senate WITHOUT opening the constitution.Ron has obviously bought in to the Liberals excuse for not joining with those who wnat it to be effective,elected and without the partisanship that resides there now.
Obviously central Canada and even more-so,Atlantic Canada are never going to agree to even modest improvements.They have a huge representation of Liberal hacks representing them. They CAN easily be done outside of the constitution.
Give up with the excuses "Ron in NS".Everyone west of Ontario can easily see through the spin.
What Atlantic Canada should be asking is not whether or not to support Senate reform,but who would they rather have do it.I prefer it to be dome by a minority government.The best minds in both the Liberal and Conservative parties.Not by a majority formed by either party.
I totally disagree with Ron's interpretation of the current Senate,and he should know,there will never be a western Canada that feels like an equal part of Canada until this is done.NEVER!!
THe Liberal premier of BC expects it will never get done.His words,"ABOLISH IT IF WE CAN"T FIX IT".And,some may not know,Alberta already has elected Senators.Thanks to Harper.BC's last one was just another Liberal flunkie appointed by Paul Martin.
Eastern and Atlantic Canada must get their heads out of the sand on this issue.I love you do death,but please,WAKE UP people. Or,
FREE THE WEST!

KRB
said

I believe Harper said that should a province wish to start a "consultation" election involving one of these 18 seats, that the senator who will be appointed today, would have to run in that senate election.

That's Harper's way of kick-starting the provinces into legitimizing the Senate elections process, and then once that ball's rolling, the old way will be dead.

The Conservatives can't gain control in the Senate until late 2010.

Dixie from Alberta
said

Way to go Mike Duffy. Surely this appointment alone will shake up that fuddy duddy place!!

Anthony
said

Right on Steve, 18 more could use $133 K/year and take a snooze with the rest of them. Whom can I forward my resume to ?

Coalition of Conservative Cronies issues statement
said

Good boy, Stevo.

M M B Ont
said

Glad to hear Mr Harper is going to fill the Senate seats! It's about time they were a little more balanced than what exists. For those of who whining, Mr Harper is on the right track to make changes so no Senator sits till the age of 75. However with Opposition Parties and Provinces who won't work together to make changes, it is good to see him take charge and fill the seats for a term of 8 yrs. This shows Leadership ! Who bitched when the Liberals overloaded the Senate with their own ?????

Raymond (Regina)
said

$130000 times 18 that's $2,340,000 of tax payers dollars to his Conservative counterparts and all un-elected. If he really wanted to do the right thing, he would put in this senate reform for elected senators now. It just shows he doesn't care for us but would PAD his Conservative counterparts wallets. Remember 60+% did not vote for Conservatives so why is he forcing these senators down the people who did not vote for him.

Brian West
said

This is exactly what needs to happen! With the Liberal senate unbalance, change will never be possible. Go Harper!

Joe Sanity
said

Michael: "BUT... Liberals stood in his way and the will of the people once again."

The will of the people is the Majority of elected seats in the House of commons. In three attempts That's something Harper has NEVER had . Don't presume to speak for "the will of the people"

Sam in BC
said

What a hypocrite Harper is. During his campaign two elections ago, he berated Paul Martin and the Liberals for appointing senators. He promised an elected senate when the Conservatives came to power. He promised a change in the government is run. This is yet another example of how power corrupts, and how politicians will say anything to get elected then do whatever they want after the election. No wonder Canadians are so cynical about their politicians.

Pat_from_Mississauga
said

Harper NEVER intended to reform the senate. It was the first election promise he broke when he APPOINTED Fortier into the Senate two weeks after the election in January 2006. His attempts at senate reform were laughable - no serious discussion with the provinces were ever held. No referendum, no first minister's meeting on the topic of senate reform, nothing. It was just a lie to get western (i.e. Alberta) votes. POLITICIAN STEVEN HARPER - YOU JUST CAN'T TRUST THIS GUY.

Ontario Earthling
said

Harper should be giving the Senate their lay-off notices,not stacking it with more chair warmers.

Joe Sanity
said

chris: " The Coalition has the right to form amid election promises the Lieberals would not form a coalition"

Wow. Have you forgotten Peter MacKay's promise (IN WRITING!) not to merge the Progressive Conservatives with the Reform party? Careful who you call a Hypocrite.

mike from ottawa
said

Usually I would be against such nonsense but the coalition has this coming to them!! My only hope is that if the Tories get a majority they reform the Senate, abolish it, lay the whole bunch off and start over with an ELECTED Senate in proportion to the population. And I do mean LAY OFF, no big bonuses, grandfather rights, etc. The rest of this population is in for a rough ride for at least a year or two so they don't deserve any better treatment, especially at OUR EXPENSE!! As I said earlier on, " my hope "... can we truest any politician to do the right thing? We will see.

Steve H.
said

For the separatist coalition, epsecially the Liberals, to whine about the PM filling the 18 vacant senate seats is the heighth of hypocrisy!! Was it magic that appointed 58 Liberals to the senate? Please GG, we need another election so that Stephen H. can have his majority and get things done the right way..............Steve...

Walter
said

Excellent move at this time, it gives all the lefties (socialist) something to talk about...

James
said

I guess Harper will get to taste what crow pie is like. That is what he gets for tilting at windmills and saying that the Senate will change. He just forgot that the Senators might have a say in the process. Well, egg does look good on Harper! Probably won't be the last time he wears some.

Joel Bain
said

The coalition is the laughing-stock of our country.

Mark
said

Once again, the ignorance of Canadians and westerners in particular is brought to the forefront. Harper CANNOT reform the Senate without the approval of the Provinces and amendments to the constitution. The fact that Harper is appointing senators is hypocracy in the highest degree. The Liberals never promised to reform the Senate because they know its just about impossible to do so. Harper promised to never appoint an unelected senator. So much for promises.

What does Harper charge for a Senate appointment?
said

Or does Harper just do what he is told to do by his owners?

Poor Harper still thinks he's working in the Imperial Oil mailroom.

JR from Calgary South
said

Here we go again - my man HARPER going against his word! Why did I/we vote for him - he is proving to be a slug just like the rest and he is from Alberta!! It is time for you people from Quebec & Ontario to get rid of him and his cronies next election. You have the power! Good to see Nancy Greene getting a senate appt. though - she can ski around Ottawa for a change of scenery.

Mac
said

Go for it PM Harper...
The Mr. Harper HAS tried to reform the Senate - but alas there is no appetite for it because its a Liberal dominated group - the Liberals, when in power, have relished the role of power and assume(d) they have the god given right to govern at any cost - ie stacking the Senate for the last 50 years, signing a coalition agreement with Separatists(not Quebec-Cdns.. big difference) - for the complainers - chill out and look at the history - look at the facts !
Perhaps the new appointees will help reform, re-educate and revitilize the institution of sober second thought.

Kim in Calgary
said

No problem with filling the seats. The problem is that Mr. Harper screamed that the Senate should not hold anyone who was not elected a short while back. Just another example of why this man is NOT A LEADER. He does not have the people skills to institute any changes nor does his actions support his words. What will be your next propoganda spin directed at the Canadian people Mr. Harper?

MaggieB, Future Senator
said

Gee, I didn't get a call. This is the one and only patronage appointment I have always dreamed of getting.

Maybe one day - yeah, right. I haven't worked for a federal political campaign, notably with the two big parties. I'm not "connected" and haven't donated any large amounts to the political parties. I'm just an average Joan looking for a great job!!

Dave
said

Any position in a supposedly democratic government should be an elected body when they have power to make decisions for the people...that should go without saying. How can it be a government by the people, for the people otherwise? As it is, when faced with the Senate the way it is, Harper's only course in this regard - no matter his beliefs - is to do exactly what he is doing. It is just wrong to have a Conservative government in power - regardless of whether it is a minority - with the Liberals having the majority of seats in the Senate...how can anything actually get accomplished this way?? Anything the Conservatives want to do, will be squashed by the Liberals on principle alone. How would that be representing the people?

Larry Lefty
said

Right on Greg!

RS in LaSalle, QC
said

Go Harper! We need an elected senate! Sadly the Liberals feel that they are entitled to occupy the senate. Quite frankly, they're making a joke of our system.

Ted
said

The Liberals have filled seats every time they have the opportunity and held up Senate reform for years. It is about time there was some balance in this house so that reform might be possible in the future. Go Harper.

Jeff
said

it is good to have balance

for years it has been under liberal domination

Nicole
said

a 45 year term - just how ludicrous does that sound? No way to do a thing if these people never show up. The Senate as it stands is a joke. The Liberal domination will continually vote down any reform. Heck, even the House will not go along with it - as we saw, the coalition was using it as a tool to gain political favours i.e 6 Bloc senators, and Elizabeth May. Harper has been sincere, but since reform isn't happening any time soon, may as well work on filling the seats and begin to gain a balance so "thoughtful deliberation" (sarc) can take place.

bruce in london
said

This is absolutely the right thing to do!The PM tried to reform the senate but hit the wall with the provinces and the senate.
The coalition already had thier list(Ms.May)so for the good of the country we need some balance in the senate.
The coalition is a low point in our history and is forcing some unpalatable choices to be made.Just imagine if they ever do take over.

Alan
said

A reasonable move by the Conservatives. The Liberals will never agree to Senate reform and they would have filled up the openings with their appointments ages ago had they been in power. At the samew time there are some good people out there who would be desreving of becoming senators.

Dave from the TDOT
said

I've always been frustrated by the lack of referendums and propositions we Canadians have. Not that I care about most of the minor bills...but on issues such as Senate Reform, Same-Sex Marriage, Abortion, Public Smoking...all of these issues have sort of been passed without little public opinion and it frustrates me - not that I disagree with all of the outcomes. However, the parliamentary system is a weak form of checks and balances, and of course Grit Senators are going to reject reform because it would cause them to actually come back from Mexico and do work. John A. MacDonald was probably pissed drunk when he modeled the Senate after the House of Lords; sober thoughts were anything but in his mind on that day. I digress.

Sometimes the only way to makes things democratic is by playing within the undemocratic lines that have been provisioned. To reform the Senate, we need more sensible Conservative Senators to help pass the bill.

By the way this does not permit the Coalition is a means to an end since their power would still be undemocratic, not too mention unstable.

Michael
said

1) The PM has an obligation to fill these seats. He was hoping to be able to introduce an elected Senate BUT... Liberals stood in his way and the will of the people once again.

2) The Liberals for decades had stuffed Senate seats with party hacks and friends instead of others perhaps more qualified.

3) The Senate is very unbalanced and the Liberal Senators refused to any change for reform forcing PM Harper now to fill these seats in the face of a possible separatist coalition which is legal but not ethical in the minds of most Canadians.

This coalition might have sent a separatist to the Senate which would just be yet another slap in the face of Canadians by Quebeckers who keep voting for these treasonous Bloc members.

Ron from NS
said

I can see more posts from people who don't have a clue how the Canadian government works. Senate reform cannot be done without changes to the constitution. This means that provinces and not Harper have to agree to the changes.

The Senate is there for a reason. That reason is to prevent a single majority government from changing Canada to far in any direction against the desires of Canadians.

Without the Senate, Harper could do anything he wants including getting rid of anything that makes Canada what it is. He is already on record as say that wait until he gets what he wants, that you won't recognize Canada. I don't want that, do you?

Colin in Calgary
said

What a waste of taxpayers money! Shame on Harper!!

Goldens
said

DAM! Again he never asked me!

John W
Bridgetown NS

WAYNER
said

IT IS GOOD THAT HE IS MAKING THESE APPOINTMENTS.
IF THERE WERE TO BE A COALITION GOVERNMENT, WE WOULD BE SURE TO SEE NDP AND BLOC SENATORS.

NOW THAT'S A SCARY THOUGHT

Dale - Edmonton
said

These seats would have been filled with Liberal hacks long ago if the (shudder) Liberals were in government...so why the whining from them? Oh yeah, cause its not about the economic situation, its about their self-perceived right to be in power...cry me a river boys..

Jimmy B - Perth Ont.
said

PM Harper is doing what ANY politician in his position would do under the circumstances. Don't let anybody tell you differently. The liberals were the biggest patronage givers than any other party in the history of Canadian politics. Good on ya Stephen.

Leo in Niagara
said

I almost can't believe the hypocrisy & flat out lies of Harper. Because he might be thrown out of office he is giving away taxpayer funded patronage goodies to Conservative insiders. This is especially hypocritical because Harper promised never to appoint unelected senators. There is no way I'm voting for these guys next time.

Richard
said

It is about time to have not almost every senator as a Liberal. What the heck is with that?

Personally, I love the Queen, and I think we can keep our friendly ties to the UK. But, we really need to develop our own Republic based government to better suit our needs here as we are so very diverse.

Sober second thought may now have a chance
said

Canadians welcome this move as a means of bringing some balance to the lopsided Liberal Senate. Maybe now we will get some sensible leadership from the Upper Chamber which has up until now been nothing but a puppet for the Liberal party of Canada.

Bestin West
said

Cant do the right thing that he wants to do so if you cant beat em, join em.

Anthony L, Toronto
said

Harper, do what you must.

You've tried to reform with no avail. Now go on and play the game the way the game must be played.

Why only 18 seats? Might as well fill it up!

Merry Christmas

Rudy
said

I'd like to volunteer for one of these senate appointments. And I even promise to retire at age 60 as opposed to the mandatory age of 75. And to top it off, I'll even show up for work.

Greg
said

Good to see, far too many Liberals around anyway.
It's been the Liberals in the Senate that have been abusing the system. Never showing up just taking the money.

I agree this house needs reforming and I believe an elected senate is the way to go. Let's let the people decide, hold a vote on senate reform.

Western Block
said

The senate is a joke. Harper should not give in to the polictics of central canada.

Matthew Davis
said

The opposition is right to criticize this. But it is a necessary evil.

If Harper wants to reform the senate he needs more conservatives in it. A liberal-dominated senate would squash any attempt by the conservatives now, even if individual senators do personally favour senate-reform.

Personally I think it's long over due and I hope all parties will make it a priority soon. Though admitedly there are other things on their plates right now.

chris
said

The Coalition has the right to form amid election promises the Lieberals would not form a coalition. The conservatives have the right to fill senate seats. However if a majority government is formed by the conservatives you can bet the senate will be reformed.
So before you left leaning hypocrites start your wheels spinning, relax, fair is fair!!!
Merry Christmas

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