Fundamental Senate problems ignored in band-aid announcement

Proposed Liberal changes to the Senate appointment process paper over the undemocratic nature of the Senate.

“The institution remains what it is: undemocratic, unaccountable and still under investigation,” said NDP Democratic Reform critic Nathan Cullen (Skeena-Bulkley Valley). “This is an inadequate fix and it is non-binding on the Prime Minister. The whole process is undone if the Prime Minister simply changes his mind.”

Also announced today was the appointment of Liberal Senator George Furey to Senate Speaker, despite the fact that Mr. Furey is not bilingual.

“This is the kind of thing we would have expected from the Conservatives. We expected better from the Liberals,” said NDP Official Languages critic François Choquette (Drummond). “Bilingualism is a core feature of our country and of our Parliament - it should be a given that the person is charge of regulating debates should be bilingual in both Houses.”