NDP Brings Motion To Abolish The Senate, Tells Clark Liberals To Join The Call

VANCOUVER — The B.C. NewDemocrat Opposition will introduce amotion in the legislature to support theabolition of the Senate, and are callingon the government to support it.“The recent Senate scandals serve tounderline that the Senateneeds to be abolished,”said New Democratleader Adrian Dix. “B.C.is under-represented,with one senator forevery 764,000 BritishColumbians, while otherjurisdictions get a senatorfor less than 37,000people. “The premierneeds to end her habit ofrepeatedly changing positions on theSenate based on her political needs andjoin New Democrats in taking a principledstand.A unanimous motion from B.C.’s legislaturewould send a clear message thatBritish Columbians want to abolish theSenate, once and for all.” The motionuses similar wording to a motion passedin the Saskatchewan legislature during itsfall session: “Be it resolved that thisHouse supports the abolition of theSenate of Canada.”The motion was passed unanimously inSaskatchewan with the support of boththe governingSaskatchewan Party andthe Opposition NewDemocrats. On the sameday, Saskatchewanrepealed legislation thatallowed for elected nomineesto the Senate.“If the legislature had satthis fall, we could havepassed this motion,” saidB.C. New Democrathouse leader John Horgan. “Instead,British Columbians are continuing toendure ever more elaborate contortionsfrom a premier and government thatchanges positions on the Senate as theirpolitical situation changes. It’s time theLiberals stood on principle and answeredthe question: do they or do they not supportthe existence of the Senate?”