Sask. government moves forward with Senate election legislation
Last Updated: Monday, November 17, 2008 | 3:49 PM CT
CBC News
The Saskatchewan government has introduced legislation that would let people select who they want to represent them in the Senate.
Under the Senate nominee election act, introduced Monday in the Saskatchewan legislature, the names of successful candidates in a Saskatchewan Senate election would be referred to the Privy Council in Ottawa to be considered for appointment.
Senate elections could be held two ways, Saskatchewan Justice Minister Don Morgan said.
"It could be done either at a time set by order-in-council [cabinet] or in conjunction with a provincial election," Morgan said. "We're looking at cost aspects, but it could be done as a stand-alone and it would produce a rank-ordered series of candidates, and those candidates' names would go forward to the prime minister to select."
Under the Constitution, the Senate is not an elected body. The prime minister recommends the names of senators to be appointed by the Governor General.
However, Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he'll respect the results of provincial elections.
So far, Alberta is the only province that has held Senate elections.
Saskatchewan is entitled to six senators in the 105-member upper chamber. Currently, there is an opening in the upper chamber.
Len Gustafson recently turned 75 — the mandatory age at which one must retire from the Senate.
Share Tools
Latest Saskatchewan News Headlines
- NDP fraud controversy ends with fine
- A man who forged NDP membership applications during the 2009 leadership race is being fined $3,000. more »
- SaskEnergy proposes $4-a-month gas bill cut
- The cost of heating your home in Saskatchewan could soon be going down. more »
- Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco not running for re-election
- After four terms as mayor of Regina, Pat Fiacco says he will not run again. more »
- Cracked bridge fixed, heavier trucks allowed through
- With the cracked section of the Diefenbaker Bridge fixed, heavier vehicles are now able to cross the river at Prince Albert. more »
Top News Headlines
- Air Canada confident it can reach deal with pilots
- Travellers flying Air Canada can keep booking their flights as negotiations continue with a new federally appointed mediator to help resolve an ongoing contract dispute between the airline and its pilots. more »
- Legalize pot, say former B.C. attorneys general
- Four former B.C. attorneys general are joining a coalition of health and justice experts calling for the legalization of marijuana. more »
- Whitney Houston's funeral to be held Saturday
- Pop star Whitney Houston's funeral service will be held Saturday in the New Jersey church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child. more »
- CN blamed for fatal train derailment in Illinois
- CN is being blamed for a 2009 train derailment in Illinois, in which several cars went off the tracks and caught fire, killing one person and injuring seven others. more »
- Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco not running for re-election
- Cracked bridge fixed, heavier trucks allowed through
- Whitney Houston's death saddens Regina artist
- MP Maurice Vellacott wins defamation lawsuit
- Midale woman dies in Estevan highway crash
- Do Valentine's Day odds favour men at U of R?
- Mountie's gun goes off during arrest of teens
- Sask. flood forecast calls for dry spring in southwest
- SaskEnergy proposes $4-a-month gas bill cut

