Amid suggestions that Ontario has gained a senator at the expense of P.E.I., Liberal senator for P.E.I. Percy Downe is expressing hope Mike Duffy will move back to the Island when he takes his Senate seat.

'I'm not much of a partisan.'— Mike Duffy

Duffy was handed the vacant seat for the Island, among 18 Senate appointments made by Prime Minister Stephen Harper Monday. Duffy was born in Charlottetown in 1946, but has been working as a journalist in central Canada since 1969.

Duffy is a hall-of-fame political broadcaster, described as Ottawa's ultimate insider, something he truly became with his Senate appointment. While Duffy certainly knows his way around Ottawa, Downe questions Duffy's current knowledge of the Island.

"I would assume, actually this would be a question better asked of him, but I'd assume he'll move back to Prince Edward Island on a permanent basis," he said.

"Certainly you have to live here to do the job."

One comment left on the CBC website Monday afternoon suggested Duffy's appointment was an Ontario selection, not one from P.E.I. Downe believes Duffy's appointment was political.

"He's certainly considered, and has been considered among many members of the Liberal caucus for some time, as a cheerleader for the current government," he said.

CBC News was unable to reach Duffy Monday for an interview, but Duffy told CTV he had expected the patronage allegations.

"That's inevitably going to be said by some people. Interestingly, the most partisan comments usually come from the most partisan people on the other side," he said.

"Frankly, I told the prime minister I'm not much of a partisan. And he said, 'Do you believe in Senate reform?" And I said yes. And he said, 'That's all I need.'"

Senate reform, if and when it comes, would include elections for senators and fixed terms. When Duffy takes his seat in the Senate next month, he'll earn more than $130,000 a year.