BC Conservative News
BC CONSERVATIVE LEADER APPLAUDS HARPER’S ANNOUNCEMENT OF FIXED SENATE TERMS: CALLS ON CAMPBELL GOVERNMENT TO HOLD SENATE ELECTIONS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 5, 2006
Cranbrook: BC Conservative Leader Wilf Hanni welcomed Prime Minister Harper’s announcement that future Senate terms would be limited to eight years. “This is the first step in reforming the Canadian Senate,” said Hanni. “When the process is completed, we will hopefully have an elected, equal, and truly effective Senate.”
Hanni called on Premier Campbell to participate in senate reform by holding elections for the six Senate positions in British Columbia in conjunction with the next Provincial Election. ”Campbell says he is dedicated to electoral reform in British Columbia,” Hanni added, “here is an opportunity for him to prove it.”
Hanni said he expects the Opposition NDP under Carole James to support such an action as they have already demonstrated their support for senate reform. “In 1997 the NDP Government passed legislation – written by former Reform BC Leader Jack Weisgerber – which called for the election of six Federal Senators from British Columbia in conjunction with the Provincial Election.” Although this bill had a sunset clause, Hanni said that it could easily be revived with a simple motion in the Legislature.
Hanni also noted that there are at least two Senators from British Columbia that support an elected Senate. Senator Pat Carney, in a speech she delivered in the Senate on March 15, 2001, called for an elected Senate. Senator Gerry St. Germain has also indicated on several occasions that he supports an elected Senate – a view shared by the majority of British Columbians.
Hanni stated that it is BC Conservative policy to hold Senatorial Elections for the six Senate seats in British Columbia. “If Premier Campbell fails to take up this challenge and hold Senate elections in conjunction with the next provincial election,” concluded Hanni, “the first BC Conservative government that is elected will do it in conjunction with the provincial election that follows.”
June 5, 2006
Cranbrook: BC Conservative Leader Wilf Hanni welcomed Prime Minister Harper’s announcement that future Senate terms would be limited to eight years. “This is the first step in reforming the Canadian Senate,” said Hanni. “When the process is completed, we will hopefully have an elected, equal, and truly effective Senate.”
Hanni called on Premier Campbell to participate in senate reform by holding elections for the six Senate positions in British Columbia in conjunction with the next Provincial Election. ”Campbell says he is dedicated to electoral reform in British Columbia,” Hanni added, “here is an opportunity for him to prove it.”
Hanni said he expects the Opposition NDP under Carole James to support such an action as they have already demonstrated their support for senate reform. “In 1997 the NDP Government passed legislation – written by former Reform BC Leader Jack Weisgerber – which called for the election of six Federal Senators from British Columbia in conjunction with the Provincial Election.” Although this bill had a sunset clause, Hanni said that it could easily be revived with a simple motion in the Legislature.
Hanni also noted that there are at least two Senators from British Columbia that support an elected Senate. Senator Pat Carney, in a speech she delivered in the Senate on March 15, 2001, called for an elected Senate. Senator Gerry St. Germain has also indicated on several occasions that he supports an elected Senate – a view shared by the majority of British Columbians.
Hanni stated that it is BC Conservative policy to hold Senatorial Elections for the six Senate seats in British Columbia. “If Premier Campbell fails to take up this challenge and hold Senate elections in conjunction with the next provincial election,” concluded Hanni, “the first BC Conservative government that is elected will do it in conjunction with the provincial election that follows.”
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posted by Ryan @ 10:54 AM
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