New Democrats slam Harper Senate hypocrisy

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Harper’s hypocritical and undemocratic Senate appointments were slammed today by NDP Democratic Reform critic David Christopherson (Hamilton Centre).

“Stephen Harper keeps telling Canadians to tighten their belts,” said Christopherson. “But these 18 unelected Senators will cost the taxpayer over $6 million a year. When will the Conservatives start practicing what they preach?”

“Mr. Harper should be focused on the 71,000 Canadians who lost their jobs last month. These 18 patronage appointments show that when it comes to job creation, Mr. Harper cares more about rewarding his Conservative friends than creating jobs for Canadians.”

There is even a growing body of expert opinion that suggests the Prime Minister may be violating the constitution by making these appointments without the confidence of the House of Commons.

In an open letter to a French language newspaper this week, leading constitutional lawyers said “the nomination of Senators in these circumstances would be illegitimate and, more importantly, in clear violation of constitutional ideals and the rule of law.” (Translation from La Presse, December 14, 2008).

Christopherson reminded Mr Harper of his promise from 2004: “I will not name appointed people to the Senate. Anyone who sits in the Parliament of Canada must be elected by the people they represent.”

“New Democrats are joining constitutional experts in calling for the Governor General to reject Mr. Harper’s recommendations for appointment to the unelected Senate,” Christopherson concluded.