FROLITICKS

Well, don’t say that I didn’t warn you! (See blog of March 3, 2013) Recent Senate scandals have simply further demonstrated that the so-called second chamber of sober thought is a waste of tax payers’ money and our political support. Let’s review. Three Senators — Marc Harb, Patrick Brazeau and Mike Duffy – have been found by a Senate committee to have filed improper travel and housing expense claims with a value worth tens of thousands of dollars. Although the same committee has ordered these three gentlemen to repay the amounts claimed, there are still others within Parliament who are calling for a police investigation into a matter — now viewed by many as a clear case of fraudulent conduct. One other Senator is also being audited for past travel expense claims worth thousands of dollars over a number of years. Heck, if it were you or me, we’d be in jail by now.

Here we have individuals, no-elected but appointed by the Governor-in-General on the recommendation of the Government of the day, earning close to a quarter of a million dollars a year in annual salaries, expense reimbursements and other benefits including access to huge pensions upon retirement. Referred to as “honourable members” of the Senate, up until now they have simply been allowed to submit all kinds of claims based on a so-called “honour system”. Talk about a sweet deal! On top of which Senators do not have to be in the Senate during all sessions, and attendance is not a prerequisite to being paid. Even a better deal.

Granted there are a few worthwhile honourable members, but the majority are political hacks appointed by the ruling party to quietly and quickly push its legislative agenda through the Parliamentary process. Given the growing power of and control by the PM and Prime Minister’s Office, the Senate increasingly is but a rubber stamping machine to the Executive’s wishes. Simply moving to an elected second house will do nothing really to correct this situation as long as committees of the House of Commons don’t have any real powers to revise or veto government bills. The provinces and other jurisdictions have managed quite well to legislate without the need for a second level of scrutiny. After all, that’s what the parliamentary opposition is for, and why the final say is given to the electorate. So come on Canada, get with it and save yourselves a few very needed bucks and scarce resources. Abolish the Senate and get on with some real Parliamentary reform, restoring accountability and genuine representation to our governing institutions. Let’s have our own Canadian tea party!!!