SOME SENATE REFORM IS POSSIBLE

Today's Waterloo Region Record carrys this article by Geoff Stevens titled "Taking politics out of the Senate". Mr. Stevens has four suggestions which would improve/reform the Senate, none of which would require provincial input or agreement. Firstly abolish the Conservative caucus in the Senate the exact same way that Justin Trudeau abolished the Liberal caucus. Secondly let the provinces choose their own Senators. This could be by citizen voting or by the provincial Premier making the appointment. Thirdly have the Senate elect their own speaker versus the Prime Minister so choosing. Lastly instead of a daily question period in the senate have the prime Minister perhaps on a weekly basis present himself for an hour or so of questions. All of these ideas would reduce partisanship and increase productivity. We just moght get the Senates of old which were staffed by people of knowledge, integrity and experience.