The following is a statement by Preston Manning, Leader of the Reform Party, on the issue of Senate reform. Have someone read it aloud. How would you describe the tone of this statement?

Recently, I reintroduced my Senate Selection Act in the House of Commons. This bill would force the Prime Minister to seek the opinion of the electors in a province before naming a Senate seat in that province. Many people have approached me and said the Senate should simply be abolished—that it is a waste of money. I agree that the current Senate arrangement is not serving Canadians. But, if we abolish the Senate, Canadians outside of Ontario and Quebec will continue to be at the mercy of Central Canadian influence. The Senate has the potential to provide a more balanced regional representation to protect less populous areas of the country. In addition, the Senate should act as a chamber of sober second thought on government legislation. While an elected Senate is the first step to achieving true representation, it is only one-third of what is needed to ensure Canadians are truly equal. The answer is a Triple-E-Senate:

Effective: Under current legislation the Senate has the power to be effective in representing regional interests and sober second thought. However, because the Senate is not elected and represents the worst of partisan, political patronage, it lacks all legitimacy. It is unaccountable to Canadian taxpayers.

Equal: Although Senators frequently say that they will take on regional interests, when push comes to shove they invariably vote along party lines. If they were elected they would be accountable to the regions they represent.

Elected: The starting point of Senate reform so that Canadians will have a lawmaking system that reflects the needs of this great country is with the election of Senators. The Senate and its important functions will never be a legitimate part of the lawmaking body, unless its members are accountable to the people of Canada through a democratic election process.

Discussion
1. What is Preston Manning’s position on abolishing the Senate? Suggest why he might take this position.

2. What purpose and function would Manning like to see the Senate perform?

3. Examine Manning’s three recommendations—effective, equal, and elected. For each recommendation determine what are the weaknesses and shortcomings it is trying to address?

4. What would be the impact of the reforms that Preston Manning is proposing? Brainstorm a list. As a class, share your list and speculate as to the effectiveness of the Reform Party’s Triple-E-Senate.