Senate must be reformed before it can be elected, Martin says
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 | 9:42 PM ET
CBC News
The problem with the Senate is how it was set up during Confederation, Martin said Tuesday during an election campaign stop at a school in Surrey, B.C.
He said larger provinces like British Columbia did not get as many senators as some smaller, less populated provinces.
"If the only thing you did was elect senators, then I think what you'd do is build in an unfair situation," Martin said.
"My view is an elected Senate, but not until you've actually fulfilled all of the elements of Senate reform."
Martin said Senate reform was raised at his first federal-provincial meeting as prime minister, but he found there was no consensus among the provinces on how to proceed.
"It would require fundamental constitutional reform, and until such time as the provinces are prepared to deal with that issue . . then I'm not prepared to proceed with it," he said.
"Yes, I'm in favour of an elected Senate, but I'm not in favour of partial reform."
