Harper Senate appointments slammed by opposition

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is a staunch advocate of Senate reform, but clearly he feels the time has not yet come. His officials have confirmed that before Christmas, Harper will announce the appointment of 18 new Senators.

CTV News: Craig Oliver with the latest on the Harper's planned Senate appointments and how it may impact the federal government

Stephen Harper's recent actions have come under fire from opposition MPs who are suggesting Harper is stacking 18 vacant Senate seats with party loyalists and called the move cynical and hypocritical.

CTV Newsnet: Peter Woolstencroft, University of Waterloo political scientist, on how the appointments may be tied to the coaltition

Experts believe the prime minister's motives for filling the senate vacancies likely lie in a desire have more Conservative influence in the Senate if a coalition does succeed in January.

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Thu. Dec. 11 2008 10:52 PM ET

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's plan to stack 18 vacant Senate seats with Tory loyalists before Christmas was denounced by opposition MPs Thursday as a cynical move which contradicts past pledges to reform the upper chamber.

"This is just a hog-troughing orgy, it seems the Conservatives have tossed their principles out the window," NDP MP Pat Martin told CTV News on Thursday as word about the appointments spread over Parliament Hill.

The announcement was also seen as a sharp policy reversal for the prime minister, who has long been a champion of making the Red Chamber an elected body.

Liberal democratic reform critic Joyce Murray said the appointments "fly in the face" of the Tory election platform and will further erode the public's trust in the current government.

"This is not an act that will restore trust with Canadians, nor will it restore confidence in this prime minister in the eyes of Parliament," she said in a statement.

In the Tory throne speech, which was delivered les than a month ago, Harper said: "Our government believes that Canada is not well-served by the Senate in its current form."

Harper added in the speech that the Tories would continue to push for a new system that accounted for "direct consultations with voters on the selection of senators and limitations on their tenure."

But the Conservatives maintain that appointing the senators remains their prerogative, despite a Liberal - NDP threat to topple the government in the New Year.

Senior Tory staffers also said that Harper's hand has been forced because the Liberal-heavy Senate is dysfunctional.

Currently, there are 58 Liberals and 20 Conservatives in the Senate.

"It's an institution that needs to be functioning, and as we look at it now, it's not functioning in its full regime," said Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon Thursday.

Industry Minister Tony Clement echoed those sentiments and stressed that the Tories haven't abandoned their promise of reform.

"We want a Senate that is elected, but clearly, the Liberal-dominated Senate does not want that," he said.

Liberal MP Wayne Easter, meanwhile, said that Harper has no right to make patronage appointments when the House of Commons remains locked in a constitutional grey area.

Easter noted that the majority of MPs don't have confidence in the prime minister, and that it is unacceptable that Harper "would turn around and stack the senate with his friends" after proroguing Parliament.

But according to a constitutional expert, Harper isn't out of line in making the appointments.

"Absolutely, unreservedly so, there are no limitations on his appointment powers," said Peter Woolstencroft, a political science professor at the University of Waterloo, in an interview with CTV Newsnet.

"The opposition will fume ... but he's not doing anything out of line."

Woolstencroft said that since the Tories could be thrown out of power next month, Harper is likely trying to plan ahead and bolster his party's standing in the Senate before it's too late.

"He wants to improve the odds."

Comments are now closed for this story

I have a dream
said

Whether you're a liberal or a conservative ask yourself this question " Shouldn't every senator be elected by the people of this country ". I'm thinking like around every two years so that no matter what goverment party is in place they will have to work together. Structured so that senate elections and parliament elections never land in the same year and no party affiliation allowed. And how about if we make the House oh i don't know EQUAL IN REPRESENTAION for all provinces. Just a thought.

Jay in Sudbury
said

Greg in Hammer- come on - Harper says one thing and does another. He is a control freak and a very Poor PM and Leader of a party.
He says on thing - does another- then again he better do all he can now as in 2009 he will go down to defeat - and we will get real governmnet - no a buch flip floping politicans.
Harper CLEAR- hmmm how much are they paying you to say this- Go any where in the world and he is the laughing stock and brunt of all Canadian Jokes-
We need a REAL leader - which he after 3 yrs has proven he is not.

JC in Ottawa
said

I guess Harper drives a 5 speed vehicle(1 gear forward, 4 gears reverse).
What you Harperites fail to understand that his word means nothing, nada. Senate reform is HIS promise, not the Liberals nor the NDP.

dave
said

To any Tory supporters: y'all are absolutely right. No Liberal supporters have any business criticizing Harper for these Senate appoitments. Only the Bloc and the NDP supporters could get away with that without being hypocritical. That doesn't change the fact that these appointments make a hypocrite out of Harper though... does it?

teresa
said

The Liberals better get their act together because we, in the West, feel no sympathy....

aBoLiSh ThE sEnAtE !
said

It is totally within Stephen Harper's right, to name Conservatives to the Senate.
The Liberals have had the Gravy appointments for far too long...
However, does anyone see the need for the Senate?
I cannot see that they fulfill any useful purpose in our Government. They are supposed to be the House of Sobre Second Thought, but when legislation reaches them, it is almost set in stone. They actually have the power to stop or change the laws, but they usually do nothing.
The Senate is only a Room of Reward for old people who have friends in high places.
They are a TOTAL WASTE of our Taxpayers dollars which could be used instead for a myriad of important issues in our country.
Any party that adopts that in their next election platform will have my vote.

KLS
said

Go Harper!! You're doing the right thing!

Avi Brampton, ON
said

Harper is not doing anything wrong appointing senators, I beleive he should have done before. Now if he loses the power and Liberal comes in poser and they will fill all these seats with Liberal supporters. Let Harper do the Balance of the Senate House. Go Harper Go!!!!!1

Jake from B.C.
said

I grow weary of the growing partisan behaviour of Canadians.

Harper is well within his rights to install those senators. It would be propagating a ridiculous section of government that drastically needs reform.

If he did appoint those senators he would have to face the public for his choices. He would lose my vote. And that is unfortunate.

Gord in the Bay
said

Greg in the hammer, said all that was needed to say in the first comment....

Bill D
said

Since first elected PM, Harper has only appointed two to the Senate. One of those, Brown from Alberta, was elected there as a 'senator-in-waiting'. Harper has invited all provinces to democratize the Senate in this way.

Time has run out. Rather than risk a defeat and leave the vacancies for a coalition government to fill, he must act now or very soon if any balance is to be had in the unelected Senate.

Liberals mad as they cannot sit at the trough
said

Now would anyone with a brain think that the Liberals and NDP would like this. Can we say, if in power, the Liberals would not have their friends belly up to the trough. Liberals have always rewarded or paid off with positions and jobs with prime sitting at the hog trough.

Least Harper is leaving it open for a future vote. By 2014 something like 48 of the sitting Senators will be 75 and have to leave. Election time coming with Conservatives taking over.

Harper you did the right thing. Keep going man, and your are the only hope of Canada.

kevin
said

Once upon a time, a little boy named Steffan Larker stole a goose that laid golden eggs(which had a made in canada label) and coveted that goose. As his wave of errors from indiscretions and contradictions ebbed and flowed behind him, he headed for high ground, clutching that goose,in a near death strangle hold I might add. As his history came closer, expecting the goose back, he shifted his eyes, right, left and right again, looking for a way out.With no escape available, he tossed the golden goose to his aging friends and bid fairwell. i only hope true canadians catch the goose.

PO'd in BC
said

Will someone please tell me why an elected senate with equal representation from each province is such a no-no? Would it not balance the overwhelming power that Ontario & Quebec hold in the House of Commons? Or is the idea of a lower house comprising MPs elected by representation by population being balance by an upper house with senators elected equally by province too American, (and therefore evil), an idea?
Or maybe you just like the idea of seeing the PMs hairdresser or chauffeur becoming a senator... is that it?
What a way to run a country.

Joel Brown
said

L.A. said:
"The father of confederation was a Conservative. And 143 ridings in Canada have confidence in the government so cut the non confidence bull."

The father of confederation was also a drunk and 158 ridings in Canada don't have confidence in the government. If you say you will appoint senators and you do, then you are keeping your word. If you say you won't appoint senators and then you do, then you're a liar and a hypocrite.

I wanna a senate seat
said

Looks like the pot is calling the kettle black.

The Liberals didn't have any problem appointing Liberals to the Senate, but boy do they cry foul when anybody else appoints anybody else but a Liberal.

You know, there are hypocrites and then there are Liberals. Which one is worse?

Dave McC, Pembroke.
said

Has anyone noticed the striking similarities between PM Harper and PM Mugabwe. It is quite uncanny how similarly they govern: both holding onto power at any cost, immaterial of economic policies that are not in the best interests of their countrymen. Does anyone remember how the reform party was going to bring a bright new day to Parliament, when MPs would be honourable gentleman, unselfish, erudite, and emotionally mature? Harper is surely the most egocentrical PM on record. Mulroney had character faults, but he also had good policies. Harper is reactionary, not conservative. The senate appointments so soon after his throne speach vowing to reform the senate, bespeak a man who will deny his own principles, within weeks of anouncing them. How can anyone believe that he has any principles at all.

Shawn Katz
said

I see "Greg in the Hammer," so now criticizing the government is considered "sour grapes" and apparently proof of the Liberals' sense of a "divine right to rule"...

Am I to take it then that you would prefer a Harper government in control of all 308 Parliament seats and no opposition, or simply one which doesn't oppose a hypocritical government's actions?

It's true the Liberals did the exact same thing in government. Except that the Liberals, unlike the Tories, NEVER PROMISED TO DO ANYTHING OTHERWISE. Those of you who voted for Harper and believe in Senate reform and yet find nothing wrong with these cynical actions have clearly been so brainwashed by partisan spin as to line up blindly behind your Glorious Leader and salute his inspired acts no matter what they may be.

As for the NDP, they are in fact OPPOSED to the Senate's very existence, so their indignation at this is completely credible and every bit sincere.

gaetan
said

It's not only Harper that is being a right-wing hypocrite. It goes all the way back to Preston - I'll never live at the Official Opposition House Manning to the Reformers who have all accepted the HoC pension - which they said they never would.

Just like that Evangelist who publicly hated homosexuals and yet had a long term gay affair. You just can't trust them.

Les from Winnipeg
said

Whatever you think about Senate reform, reality is that in a minority government, the status quo will remain the same, in spite of the best intentions. The Liberals love the way things are and will always prevent change. Bills such as needed reforms to the justice system have been watered down or delayed thanks to a Liberal dominated Senate. Until a majority government is in place that is serious about senate reform, one has to play by the present rules. Therefore to bring some balance, Harper has to appoint as many senators as possible that are not tied to the extreme left. To have others that can think outside the liberal club. Others that will represent a large number of Canadians that think differently then the clones that represent Liberal senators.

Ad�le J. Hill
said

Bravo !It is about time when the Liberal scandalous majority in the Senate is blocking or delaying a lot of Bills and they will not even agree to a few reforms like retirement age etc.even less about elected senators. We the taxpayers demand fair representation in the Senate , Prime minister Harper has no other options, he stood by his principles since is first government all he got is obstruction . Also the Liberals cannot wait to stack it again if they ever return to power, enough is enough.

Achilles
said

It's OK. We're just leaving a nice big wooden horsey outside the senate gate.

Mark McNeill
said

Hmmmm? Liberal misappropriation of $54,000,000,000.00 dollars from the EI fund. And people are worried about Harper appointing senate reform minded candidates to the Senate?

P.B. Ontario
said

Haper put forth Bill S-4 in May of 2006, which would have put forth the senate reform he still supports. Ironically, the bill was shelved by the Liberal's in the senate using their majority rather than vote the bill down and face public backlash.

Trudy Cochrane
said

The Liberals have every right to cry foul - it wasn't them that were hollering about all these changes to the Senate.

When leaders do an about face on an important issue, they should be called on it, as Harper is being.

Gail (Hamilton)
said

PM Harper really had no other choice given this coalition issue. Well done! Since these new senators will be asked to step down for any future elected senate seats with a Conservative government, this is one small step to restoring lost faith in the upper chamber.

Jasper
said

Brilliant!! The liberanos are upset that they cannot stack the senate after they bring on Coupscam Part 2. It looks like Elizabeth May won't get her senate seat after all!

CM in Edmonton
said

I am enraged with the opposition over this. Only weeks ago it was discussed that an opposition led governmnet would give Elizabeth May a senate seat. I'm from Alberta where 4 of our 6 senators are Liberals and when was the last time Alberta voted for a majority of anything Liberal.

Liars and thiefs the Liberals are. At least the NDP is honest in the brutality of their politics. But Liberals are bald two faced liars and who with any character can support that?

Eve
said

It is not just you, we are all tired of hearing from the Opposition.
And the media. Could the media please shut up.
You have managed to make global warming into a huge issue despit the fact that the planet has been cooling for 10 years. We don't hear about that though.
And lets make this recession a little worse, shall we? Keep it up with the failing economy and now today, maybe we will all lose our homes. Keep it up and we will. Shut up and we will not.

suzy
said

Well, if the Liberals have 58 senators and the Tory's 20, then it seems to me (common person that I am..) that the Liberals have been doing exactly what PM Harper is doing now. So, what's the beef?

Marion, Calgary
said

Looks like Mr Harper has taken a leaf out of the Liberals, NDP's & Bloc's book. Go Harper Go!

KPR
said

This is hilarious. I love how Conservatives who post comments here completely abandon their principles whenever Stephen Harper flip-flops on something. They'll completely change their views on anything if it'll allow them to apologize for The Right Honourable Liar. What's next? Stephen Harper adopts the Carbon Tax, and all of the Conservatives come out to applaud him for thinking of such an innovative idea, while bashing the Liberals for not thinking of it first, maybe? Hah!

Canada Goose Whistler
said

Sorry folks Its 130,400./ X 18 senators X 7 years how does all this money help our economy in this crisis

Raymond St-Martin
said

I wonder what the Chamber of Sober Second Thought will have to say about this.

dwigget
said

Harper historic trend - Small, yet productive & meaningful steps in the right direction.

Lib's trend - reactionary, longterm-effects-not-withstanding "policies" to generate hype to win votes.

I'm not partisan, but geeze - there sure is a contrast here. I'm not saying Harper never does anything to get votes, but at least he's choosy.

I'd sure appreciate more than one fully functioning NATIONAL party in this country... (Bloc isn't national... just "federal")

Fred Bacque
said

Harper has every right to do this. It is the PM's sole right to make these appointments, and reagrdless of who is in there now and how badly out of whack the operation of the senate may be, putting some Conservatives in there is just plain prudent. Should he win a majority sometime in the future you can bet that reform will be more easily acomplished when a non-liberal dominated senate is the oversight house for parliament. That being said, isn't it time we had two parties(read: fully federal) and those caught in the middle find some common characteristics to join and make their stand. Ego is the wall between NDP and governance Jack!

javababy
said

What do we need? Economic stimulus.

What is Harper worried about?
Senate appointments.

This guy is so out-of-touch with what is happening to working class Canadians that he has NO business running this country.

Get your priorities straight, Stevie. If we aren't working, we're not paying taxes ... economics 101, Mr. Silver Spoon.

Bernie
said

No doubt about it!

Harper got his orders direct from The Liar and bribe taker: Brian, who is the back-room leader of the Party. Harper the beard, only fronts for Brian who is the man who has earned the disdain of Canadians from one shore to the next. Harper will fail by following Brian, who seems to be the perpetual brains behind the Conservative party.

K.V.Ontario
said

GO Conservatives Go if the Liberals can do it so can you.They've appointed senators for the last while and now they are up in arms over it.I will never support a Liberal/ NDP/ Bloc. coalition.

PB
said

I will take 18 conservatives over a green poodle anytime.

Geoff
said

On a day we found the Liberal government raised 56 billion dollar illegally we are talking about senate appointments.

By the way, Harper cannot reform the senate without Liberal cooperation and to date they have refused to cooperate on an elected senate.

Chris from Milton..
said

how is this even a story!!!!!!!!!!!!Another deflection from the left leaning media.The story today is how the Liberals stole our money again!!!!!!!!!!!!!All they do is cry, hypocrisy!The left is truley brainwashed.
I will never vote liberal again. they are theives and whiners/ they would have filled these seats with elizabeth may.
Perhaps the left didn't get the memo" There is no crying in politics""" Stephan Harper is outplaying the liberals and thats why Iggy is shooting his mouth off.
Bring on the election!!!!

Tom Manitoba
said

While Canadians are losing their jobs in record numbers; while the economy is plunging, the Conservative government is just interested in FURTHERING THE INTERESTS OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY.

Canadians who are losing their jobs, their savings, their pensions, aren't important.

Don't gove their hissy fit a second thought !
said

They call the Liberal dominated Senate the House of sober second thought.

That's a good thing because there isn't one sober thinking liberal in the House of Commons.

Mike McInnis
said

I guess this topic will get a lot of attention from liberals as it will perhaps take the attention away from the Cretian and Martin EI scandal,which ,by the way is not getting alot of attention from our erstwhile political journalists.

rds33b
said

Doug in Stratford:
1)No coalition with the NDP.....out the door
2)The need to have an elected leader....out the door
3)Liberal party policies....out the door
4)democracy....out the door
And, yet to come from the liberals, should the coalition come to be:
5)economy....out the door
What's next on their hidden agenda? It's so well hidden, THEY don't even know what they are capable of doing next.

KJ in Kingston Ontario
said

This is obviously a case where the Prime Minister had no choice, given the Liberal-NDP coalition is still a significant risk. I am sure he sincerely would have preferred to reform the Canadian Senate -- but with the reality of the possible loss to the Liberals in January -- a group who would instantly appoint their guys to the Senate -- why would he be foolish and let that possibly happen.

LLOYD NEWTON
said

Good show they block cannot get their 6 seat promise for joining the collalition.If the governal general let the people really speak on who they want to run the country.Would it not be funny if the new liberal leader got less seats than Dion. And would the coalalition finally realize that voters said no they do not want coalalition running our county it is them we do not trust. So do not speak for use let us vote if you think you are right???

Johnny in Montreal
said

The parliament has lost the confidence of many Canadians. Mr. Harper is an elected member of the parliament of Canada, an MP who is leader of a Party. He is not the elected President of Canada as he thinks he is. It is time to get some new politicians who put Canada First

Richard from Ontario
said

At present, 59 Liberal Senators, 20 Conservative Senators.
Why is there any discussion as to how legit this move by Mr Harper is?

Dayton
said

I'm sure if Harper had a majority in the house he would have pushed for senate reform. If Harper would have had a majority in the house he would have kept the fixed election dates. If harper would have had a majority in the house he would have not used the tactics to flush out the coalition. If Harper would have had a majority in the house Iggy wouldn't be Liberal leader. If Harper would have had the majority in the house we would have a lot of stability in our economic situation right now. If only Harper had the majority in the house!!!!

Ron In Niagara
said

What the Liberals cry fowl !!

I remember the the liberals doing this many times .they said then that it was ok ...so whats the problem with Harper doing it....

O' I know ..the Liberals wanted there people in instead.
Now the shoe is on the other foot and the LIB's cry fowl, again they feel it's there God given right to be Boss.

Whats the problem now with these Liberals?
said

The Prime Minister is ensuring that there are Senators from the various provinces which are missing Senate representation currently.

I'm sure the Prime Minister will appoint eminently qualified and capable people to represent their provinces proudly.

Whats the Liberals freakin' problem THIS time?

Seems part of the Liberals 'Modus Operandi' is to incessantly bash the Prime Minister to try and create a false impression of the great job he is doing - unfortunately, it has finally caught up with the Liberals as they look really foolish now compared to the well organized Prime Minister.

Canada Goose Whistler
said

Is this what you call trying to get along & working with the other parties.
Each senator is worth around 200,000.00 X 18 = How does this help the economy?
Hey folks give me tax dollars I won't give your money away to my friends like this!

Smilling in Vancouver
said

Harper is one cagey politician. He can smell a rat a million miles away with the love affair the Lib/NDP/Bloc has and this move is just one step ahead of the opposition all the time. I have never heard so much crying and snivelling in my lifetime. Funny how all the Liberal appointments to the senate were quite ok!

Next step, present a budget, a good budget and let the "New Libs on the Bloc" take down the government. Then have the GG refuse the coalition's request and off to the polls we go. Conservative majority and a total Liberal devastation. This way Iggy will have a true rebuilding job and maybe about 8 years to do it. That way he can earn his position as leader. Well done Steven Harper. You're smarter than most of these people give you credit for!

gar
said

What a laugh the Liberals and the rest of that bunch wh call themselves great Canadians especialy the Liberals? If I was not so old I would hope to be appointed. This is why that phony coalition will be wiped out. If Harper leaves these seats vacant for that bunch we will never have a country worth defending.

A True Canadian
said

The liberals are using this as a way to avoid their latest blunder concerning EI. So the Senate gets a few more conservatives, the liberals still have control. Never have I seen so much sniveling in my life. You call yourselves liberals , I think you're Idiots. There was a time that being a liberal meant something but come on already, how many more scandals do you need. The liberal party can't even nominate their leaders democratically, Iggy just pulled the wool over everyone's eyes. He doesn't even have a platform that addresses the people's concern. He's a wait and see guy who will make his descision at the last moment based on which way the political wind blows. If he really wants to make change happen than he better step up to the plate and tell all of us what he stands for on all the issues. I believe that since he wasn't elected to lead his party he should at least put forth his platform concerning all the issues that are facing canadians today.

John Bark
said

A bright, strategic move by the Conservatives!

The left wing loons and the separatists have again been outmaneuvered.

Please just run the government
said

Quit playing stupid politics and get on with running the country. Politians have made being a lawyer look like an honourable professional!!!

PJ in Ontario
said

If the Prime Minister does not appoint these 18 senators everyone would be saying that he blew it when he had the opportunity to fill the seats he didn't. If he does not and the Liberals and there power hungry buddies get in the Liberals will fill those 18 seats immediately and the senate will be tied up by Liberal Senators for another 20 years. The Liberals self proclaimed new found power is getting very tiring. Please Prime Minister do not give in to this bunch. Govern the way you feel you should as we elected you to do so.

Ricklogic
said

Although I am in favor of an elected senate or abolish it altogether, PM Harper has every right to fill the senate, especially with appointees who agree to step down once reform measures are in place for an elected senate. I would certainly rather see conservatives appointed rather than Bloc MPs and Elizabeth May.

One person who has remained unscathed by the media and is the one who created this mess is Jack Layton. He has put his power ambitions ahead of what is right for the citizens of this country. Jack, it is time for you to resign!!

Andrew Moull
said

Wow...you want to make Senate reform eh Steve....then why would you contribute to the largest problem facing the Senate, the partisanization of an institution that was not supposed to be partisan. I'm not defending the past Liberal policies as they did the same thing, but last I heard Mr.Harper you wanted to be the champion of Senate reform...great start and I can't wait for the garage sale at 24 Sussex, Can we get someone else please!

L.A.
said

According to the Constitution (Section 22, CA 1867) it is the provinces that Senators represent. Canada is the sum of its people and all its territories and provinces. Canada is more than the city of Toronto or the NDP or the Liberals. Canada is a confederation of provinces and we have not been equitably represented. Canada is a country with a great future, and for democracy to survive, the Senate must represent the interests of provinces. Elected senators will represent the provinces in a way that our MPs don't and our Premiers don't. Congratulations to Prime Minister Harper for this historic initiative. The father of confederation was a Conservative. And 143 ridings in Canada have confidence in the government so cut the non confidence bull.

duane oshawa
said

The liberals are hypocrites, power hungry and have lost their way as a great Canadian institution. I had hopes a liberal of some esteem might take on the bid to rebuilt the once great brand. No chance, they have really pinned the tail on a donkey.

Joe MacPherson
said

We have gone well into Overtime with this whole issue of The Senate, the Monarchy, the Governor General, Election of The Senate or not,Prorogation,blah..blah..blah..It's time for the PEOPLE of this Country to take these issues unto our own Control and demand an end to the ties to Britain, the Monarchy, GG's, Lt Gov's, Senators and The Senate, and really...really own our own Democracy. Not only will we save mega-millions in the process, but we finally achieve solid at home Canadian Democracy. Good bye Queenie..come visit sometime on your own dime. And p.s. will you adopt a little liar named Steve? he's been a really bad boy..

Lloyd Newton
said

I guess the coalalition can not keep there 6 seat senate promise to the Block now can they. If the governal general for some strange reason does not call a election and the people of canada go nuts any blood shed will be on her hands so I believe to prevent 3rd world reaction in Canada her only choice with no repercutions is to have an election. So that Canadians decide who will run the country. Not a coalalition sneaking in the back door. To think they keep saying this is what Canadians want,well why will they not let us vote. They no Canadians already spoke and will again but definately not in their favour. Would it not be funny if the new liberal leader got less seats than Dion than what??? stick to yor guns Canadians. We voted and demand that we no what we wanted but the coalalition still think we want them to lead our county stupid or what???

kc
said

Harper is huge hypocrit

This is just like his behaviour surrounding the do not apply to him or his people, only to the other guys.

Apparently whatever HE does is ok even if the exact same action is loudly decried when the other guy does it.

I am tired of this petty little man and his cheerleading section.

OUTRAGED CANADIAN VOTER
said

ENOUGH with all the Liberal HYPOCRISY!!

The Libs have been filling the Senate for decades with their friends and recently were going to use it to place separatists and that Green lady as a plant so she could sit in their cabinet.

I am outraged these double standard liberal hypocrites would even attempt to spin this one too!

Josh from BC
said

Lately my wife says I havae an overwelming feeling of self entitlement and have had way to many hissy fits. So I went to see a shrink about it. The shrink told me it was to late and that he couldn't help but I was already permanently brainwashed a Liberal. I think to many others suffer from this illness too.

Elizabeth S. Hutton
said

PM's hand was forced to make the Senate more balance. The Senate should be either elected or better abolished completely.

R. Johnson
said

Unbelievable! The Primadonna Minister (Harper)has a knack for suicidal political behaviours lately. What he is doing is self-serving, and does nothing to further the credibility of Canadian politics. It's like a bunch of kids playing sand-lot baseball, trying to load the team to guarantee a win. If the Senate is to be functionally effective, it must represent the Canadian voter. What Harper is doing represents only Conservative interests. Furthermore, the Canadian voter should be angry that however they cast their vote, it doesn't matter, because the "Mad Prince of Parliament", Mr. Harper, will do what he wishes anyway. Please, Mr. Harper, do take your ball, and go home!

M. Darryl Harvey from Prince Albert Sk
said

Nothing squeals louder then a Liberal, when someone else does what they make common practice of.

At least these appointees will have to agree to stand down when senate elections occur.

Darryl

Barb
said

Harper is acting in bad faith. Government is prorogued beause he feard a vote of non confidence and now he betrays his own beliefs and policies in making these appointments. He must be really worried about the newly invigorated Liberal Party.

Bob from Alberta
said

I realize all the Tory clan will come up with all kinds of rationale for saying this is just fine. Liberals are bad, its about time we had our go, sour grapes, etc but Harper said this was something he would not do. When can we start to believe this man? Integrity matters. If you stole $10 and then I said I would never steal, and then I stole $9, I am still a thief. But now I am also a liar.

Maureen
said

The opposition complaining about something Harper is doing - how can that be?

spencer
said

After years of the Liberals apointing die hard supporters, who stay at the public trough until 75, it is far overdue that these vacancies be filled. The government of the day has that right.

HOW LOUD WOULD THE CONDEMNATION BE IF THERE WERE SENATORS APOINTED ON THE ADVICE OF THE BLOC ??????

Canadian
said

I am also sick of hearing the Opposition Parties crying about everything the government is doing.
Until the Conservatives have a mojority or the Opposition allows them to bring the Elected Senate Bill to the table this is the best route to even things out. The Liberals have never been interested in putting anyone in the Senate unless they were Liberal.

GTA east
said

Is the Senate thought to be the 'voice of sober second thought'? If so, then a Senator should have some credentials that qualify him/her for that role. Instead we have 'appointed' those who lose elections, hockey players and singers. At least a soldier, sailor or airman service this country with honour and respect and deserve the honour much more than does a hockey player, singer or political failure.

DC in AB
said

With the Conservatives now holding 51% support in current polls, I doubt that Harper is doing this because he's scared that he'll lose power in January. I think hes getting ready for the Libs/NDP to defeat him, and Canada will go to the polls giving him a majority, thus allowing him to ram the elected senate bill through. Think about it... Oct 14th election, Government falls in late January to have a late February election. The GG will not give a coalition to the clowns in the Libs and NDP... its long enough... bring it on USA Iggy and Moustache Jack... bring it on!

Rick (Ontario)
said

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??
The LPC made giving plush senate jobs into an art form. Good Lord, anyone and everyone that did the libs a favour got a senate seat.
Harper isn't doing anything wrong here. He's for an elected senate, but until that get's put through, he has no choice but to even the lib/Conservative senate numbers. Why do the lib sheep not question why there's 57 (?) lib senators? How many NDP? Bloc?

Hal - Canada
said

The PM is not doing anything wrong. It's about time the senate playing field was evened out. Senate reform should still take place in order for it to function as it should. But in the meantime all seats should be appointed to prevent the coalition from messing around with the senate. So it is appreciated that the PM is protecting those seats & rebalancing the senate at the same time. So let the opposition fume, they would have done the same thing & no matter how hard I try I cannot accept a socialist separatist-backed coalition in control of our country. The damage that would do is incomprehensible.

HOCKEY PLAYER 4
said

How can you stack the senate when you are at a 20 to 58 disadvantage? I want to see an election called immediatly as a SEPARIST,LEFTIST,and ELITEST coalition is poised to seize power.

Joe Sanity
said

Bluenose:

"Is it just me, or is anyone else damn sick of hearing from the opposition these days."

Nope , just you... and Steve. ;-)

Alan
said

I fully support the Conservatives,,,,Go Baby Go.....About Time

Kat
said

I guess if the rumours are true that the Bloc were to receive 6 senate seats should the coalition go ahead...then good on Harper!

Those seats should not be a bargaining chip for a coalition trying to take power.

If this whole situation doesn't prove that we need an elected senate...what will?

Mark
said

Liberals whined when Harper suggested senators should be elected or the senate should be abolished.

Now Liberals are whining because he's using the senate in the way they wanted it to be used.

I'd rather we have an elected senate or none at all, but as long as we're going to have the current senate, there is no reason they shouldn't be able to appoint senators just like the liberals have done for the better part of the last 4 decades.

tc
said

I have no problem with Harper appointing these senators since it will counter the extremely overstacked liberals that chretian and company put in during their years.However I do expect harper to follow through on senate reform.
Personally I think there needs to be a realignment of seats to reflect the current population base across the country. As well they should be elected with a limit placed on their terms, such as 7 years for example. No more of this second career in senate until 75 especially when some appointees are not even 50. Perhaps nominees can be veted by the provincial governments or another provincial level organization than run in an election so the people can pick who they want there. It would give much more legitimacy and support to the senate than.

the gorm
said

Is this any different than the other shifty moves that the Blue leader has done?
I wonder if he has studied Che Guivera?

Tom in St. Thomas
said

Saying we're not hyprocrits because the other guys were bigger hypocrits just doesn't cut it. Once again Harper's words don't match his actions. Remember he said he wouldn't do this. It makes me wonder if his most recent claim that he will work with the opposition is just as disingenuous. I also wonder when his supporters will start to hold him to the same standards they hold everyone else to.

Joe Sanity
said

So NOW the Reform/Conservatives are OK with this? Didn't take long to see their true colours did it?. I guess Harper's making his plays now as he may be in the opposition next month. At very least it shows he knows his Majority is never going to happen. Time to take care of your pals Steve.

Ronald in Ottawa
said

Oh, so it's okay to stack the Senate with Liberals as Trudeau and Chretien did, but all of a sudden it's not okay for Harper to appoint a few Conservatives. The Liberals will still have a big majority in the Senate even after Harper's appointments. If Harper left the 18 vacancies open, Iggy would fill them with Liberals at his first opportunity. Soon we would have an all Liberal Senate. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Quit crying foul when Harper does a little of the very same thing that the Liberals did in spades.

Harper is goofy
said

Oh pleaseeeeeee.... Listen up people! Harper are one who screwed the senate reform.... Liberals in senate agreed to the reform however made a one small reasonable request to change one small thing. Harper decided to play "my way or highway".....

Whatever.. Harper are one who playing politic game with every sides!

A concerned Citizen
said

Stephen Harper was smart to staff these senate vacancies.

If left unfilled, the Liberal / NDP / Bloc coalition would undoubtedly have filled them immediately upon usurping poweer.

And lets not have any cries of indignation from the Opposition benches or Liberal / NDP voters!

The last time the Liberals were in power during the 1990's, they raised Senate and patronage appointments to a fine art!! Witness the fact that we have 62 Liberal Senators feeding at the public trough.

PrairieDog - Dean R.
said

Good. Harper has tried over and over to reform the Senate. He has opened the door to free elections of Senators but the Libeals will have nothing to do with it. Liberals leave Harper no choice. What's he supposed to do?...Let the Liberals have all of the Senate?? C'mon people..wake up.
This is what the Liberals have to complain about? How about they start worrying about how the public feels about them stealing billions from us yet again. The Liberals are the disgrace here. I will never vote Liberal in my life.

Margaret Taylor
said

Methinks this is a case of the pot calling the kettle black and only highlights how desparate the Liberals are to tarnish the rep of the Conservatives so as to gain back their power, prestige and privilege.

Steve
said

Oh Come On Mr. Harper!
Why are you driving a conservative voter to support Mr. Ignatief, is he the only one who is willing to give ground in these troubled times? Meet your opponents half way, work with them for the good of all Citizens.

Recently you provoked a political crisis in failing to properly access the volitile political situation and now this! What is served by catering to these petty party politics? Can we possibly increase the problems already facing this country? Get with the program, get on side, work with the people who elected you as a leader for all Canadians or resign.

johnn in Kitchener
said

"Harper Senate appointments slammed by opposition".

Why doesn't this surprise me?
Is there anything the Prime Minister can do without the opposition "slamming" it?

If any opposition party found itself in similar circumstances, the same thing wouldn't be done. of course . . . . .

M. Cameron
said

What is probably most interesting is that he could not find enough Conservative supporters to create a majority in the senate. It's virtully the same situation in both houses. This attempt to fill the senate is nothing more than keeping appearances of some kind of Conservative advantage they really do not have. As an NDP supporter, I say abolish it.

Dan from Nova Scotia
said

It is my understanding that the 18 newly appointed Senators have agreed to stand for election in future if the Senate becomes an elected body and not have their respective seats grandfathered to age 75.

It's interesting to note that the Liberals have approximately 56 seats in the upper house and all of their seats are appointed to age 75.

The Prime Minister has every right to appoint Senators and I believe he has done so in a manner that will eventually allow for a transition to an elected upper house.

Two thumbs up.

Kathy
said

If the Government is "on hold" til the end of January, why can the PM fill Senate seats? Should this not have to wait til the Government resumes?

Bluenose
said

So, Currently, there are 58 Liberals and 20 Conservatives in the Senate. What's wrong with bringing it up to an equal level of both? Is it just me, or is anyone else damn sick of hearing from the opposition these days. They should be ashamed of themselves and in hiding after the supreme court ruling that they robbed Canadians of their EI money that hard working Canadians paid. The Liberals one sided corrupt world can be exposed repeatedly, but is anyone listening? How on earth do they draw any support? What has happened to common sense? It is certainly not present on the left side of politics, and with their supporters.

A real Cristmas Gift
said

Merry Christamas Boys Bonus time has come at the expense of lay-off Canadians my Neo-Conservative Supporters, I hope you all have a name in history.
Make me lok good While all Canadians will be looking at you.
Forget about my pledge of elected senators consider this as my gift.
Harper Must Resign Immediately In the midst of an extreme economic crisis, Harper failed as a leader and deliberately created a major political and national unity crisis for his obsessive political partisan purposes, showing no leadership and consensus building skills, and no ability to rise above personal self interest. This is unforgivable and inexcusable. He failed this nation miserably, and must resign immediately.

brian mckenna
said

how would making the senate go to 38 conservatives to 50 liberal wrong, isn't that representing the popular vote that the liberals keep refering too, better yet 36% con, 24 lib, 18 ndp and so on in the senate. After 11 yrs of liberals stacking the senate a little balance won't hurt

Jason Daniel Baker, Toronto
said

I am ready and willing to accept any reason Harper wishes to offer for filling these senate seats because it is quite simply the right thing to do.

I am as vehement in this view as I was against the Reform partys' continuous denigration of the upper chamber whilst Harper was that partys policy chief.

The Liberal majority in the senate is massive and their excesses need to be curbed.

Let the hypocrites in opposition howl all they want. I suspect the real reason they are so angry is because they wanted to be able to fill these seats themselves if and when the coalition seizes power in the new year.

Harpers' filling of these seats is the political equivalent of spiking cannons. He can hardly leave the vacancies open to be used against him and his party.

g
said

Liar liar pants on fire ... LOL ... hahahahahahahahahahahahaha ... Another blue lie. At least when the libs stacked the senate they didn't promise change then deliever the same. I can respect someone who does what they want but I can't respect an unmitigated liar. Let those western fools vote for this man ... I for one have had enough of this crap. Too bad it's against the law to put a price on Harpers head

James T.
said

Man, is this gonna chaff the rumps of the Cabal of Coup Conspirators! Not only has lawful government prevailed, the PM is bringing order and balance back to the Upper House and preventing the Liberals from buying any more support from the likes of the so-called green party by filling the openings that the Liberals planned to use for bribes. Right on!

Army soldier
said

Harper seems to be spooked lately....can you say IGGY!

Doug In Stratford
said

wow
1) Fixed date elections.....out the door

2)elected senators......out the door

3) going to lose a vote....take my ball and go home...

what next ???

Mark out West
said

It's about time. The Liberals have 58 seats in the Senate. The Conservatives only have 20. If the Conservatives fill the vacant seats with their picks, it will still be stacked in the Liberals favour. Liberals 58 - Conservatives 38. We need things more balanced.

Blair J
said

And the Liberals were never above anything like this yeah right... Harper is well within his rights to make these appointments... the Libs/NDP want to make this whole situation as dysfunctional as possible

Greg in the Hammer
said

Anyone who wears a Liberal Party of Canada pin on their lapel has got absolutely NO BUSINESS crying foul over PM Harpers appointing Conservatives to the Senate. The PM has been clear he prefers an elected senate but until that change can be made it is still the PMs prerogative to make the appointments.

This is just one more example of Liberal and NDP sour grapes over losing another election. It is particularly telling coming from the Liberals as their envy and spite at not being in power is clearly evident.

What is also clear about the Liberals is that they have learned NOTHING from their trouncing at the polls. They still believe it is their divine right to rule this country.