Richmond - The Editor, On Dec. 6 there was a town hall public forum in Richmond on "The Senate -Reform or Abolish?" It was evident from the attendees that there was considerable dissatisfaction with the Senate.
Richmond - The Editor, On Dec. 6 there was a town hall public forum in Richmond on "The Senate -Reform or Abolish?" It was evident from the attendees that there was considerable dissatisfaction with the Senate. The opening remarks by the chair outlined the constitutional difficulties to make substantial changes to the Senate, and the even more difficult hurdles to abolish it.Two people who have, in the past, worked for government in Ottawa and have first-hand experience of the workings of the Senate indicated that while the Senate has served as a meaningful part of government in the past, it was now in need of reform.A number of the participants expressed concern about senate accountability, transparency, high salaries and methods of appointment.At the end of the meeting, by a show of hands, 60 per cent of attendees were for reform, 12 per cent for abolishing and 28 per cent did not respond.Doug SymonsRichmond
