3 easy first steps to crack down on corruption in the Senate

Nigel Wright may be on the witness stand, but the Duffy trial is all about Stephen Harper.

Harper promised he would finally clean up Liberal corruption and scandal. Instead, we got more of the same.

After a decade in power Conservative operatives, bagmen and senators are charged with bribery, election fraud, illegal lobbying and more.

It’s clearly time to abolish the Senate – but as we move towards abolition, New Democrats have proposed some easy, first steps to make the Senate more accountable:

1. End taxpayer sponsored travel. Ban on claiming for any travel not directly related to senators’ legislative work.
2. Crack down on senators policing themselves. Establish a single Ethics Code and a single Ethics Commissioner for all Parliamentarians.
3. Prohibit expenses for non-parliamentary work. Ensure senators no longer participate in caucuses, fundraising, organizing or public advocacy on behalf of a political party using Senate resources.

Tom Mulcair and the NDP are ready to clean up corruption and bring change to Ottawa.