Although she doesn’t agree with the process that saw three embattled senators suspended without pay, a Lakehead University political science professor is hopeful the end result will be changes to the country’s sober second body of thought.
Nadia Verrelli said it was just a matter of time before the motion to suspend Pamela Wallin, Patrick Brazeau and Mike Duffy went through.
With the latter promising to reveal more details about the expense-claim scandal, which saw Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s chief of staff repay $90,000 in improperly claimed housing expenses, Verrelli said there are plenty of possibilities going forward.
The scandal seemingly corroborates claims put forward by governments throughout history have said all along, that the senate is a wasteful body and either needs to be reformed or abolished.
She’s sure the latter won’t occur, despite a nationwide distaste for the senate.
“It could enhance the role of the senate in our system of governance. It could legitimize the institution, and it’s in much need of being legitimized,” Verrelli said.
“The cons, I think it all depends on what kinds of reforms (are brought forward) and whether or not those reforms require constitutional reform and constitutional amendments. If that’s the case we’re looking at Charlottetown all over again.”
The Charlottetown Accord was a series of amendments proposed by both the federal and provincial governments in 1992. Presented to the public in the form of a referendum, it was handily defeated. It included the infamous Canada Clause, which recognized Quebec as a distinct society within Canada and self-government for Aboriginal people.
It also included senate reform, a move that would have led to an elected senate and provisions for First Nations seats.
Verrelli said the latest challenge to the senate could lead to term limits and senate elections put back on the table.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has long promised to reform the senate, speaking out vehemently in the past about appointing partisan people to the senate. But since taking office, he’s done just that, loading the senate with Conservatives, including Brazeau, Wallin and Duffy.
She’s not holding out too much hope for reform, however.
“They won’t be changing the powers of the senate more than they already have. I’m thinking term limits would be one (change), and if not term limits and if not elections, at least more provincial involvement in the appointments of senators,” she said.
Does Verrelli think what happened to the three ousted senators was fair?
“Politically all’s fair in love and war,” she said.
But, and it’s a big but, Verrelli doesn’t think any of the three were judged using due process the probably should have been.
“And I don’t think all of the facts of the case have been fully examined. Definitely not by the public and I don’t think they have by the senate,” Verrelli said.
“If what Mike Duffy is saying is true, and he was given the go-ahead with his spending and his housing reimbursement, then we have to examine that. Was it fair? I’m not sure.”
Without a doubt, she added, the Conservative government is trying to sweep the scandal under the rug ahead of the 2015 elections.
“Good on (NDP Leader) Thomas Mulcair for pressing the issue and asking the prime minister direct questions and trying to get him to be responsible for his actions, or non-actions for that matter.”
