Government Reform
Problem:
Canada’s 19th century institutions are outdated and badly equipped to meet the needs of Canadians in the 21st century.
NDP Solution:
- Abolish the wasteful and inefficient Senate. Senate costs are approximately $90 million annually, with Senator salaries at $130,000/year.
- In spite of having never been elected to anything, the Senate has become a partisan body in the wake of Mr. Harper’s shameful abuse in blocking our ground-breaking Climate Change legislation.
- ‘The Senate vote to kill the Climate Act is disrespectful to Canadians and Democracy’ – David Suzuki.
- Support electoral reform in the shape of proportional representation to ensure that every ballot in a federal election counts equally.
Conservatives on government reform
- “A Conservative government will not appoint to the Senate anyone who does not have a mandate from the people” – from Conservative website during 2006 election. The Senate now contains 38 Senators appointed by the Stephen Harper.
- For the first time in history, the Senate blocks legislation legitimately passed by your elected representatives.
