Government needs to implement senate reform

Senate reform is needed now.

I believe in this idea and hope that its day will finally arrive. I will continue to advocate for this high ideal, and get away from dictatorial ways, where a prime minister can appoint just about anyone he or she chooses for this upper house of the federal government.

This is Unitarian (one tier) government and is does not share responsibility in running the country. We need more tiers in government and have added responsibility for running this country.

Down in the United States, they have a democratic government. Yes, there are problems in both governments, but down south you do get to vote for both houses, and the head of state. You have choice below the border.

Just look at the present government down there, and how hard it is for the most powerful man in the world to get even a good health care bill passed. I do not know what you call it, but I say it's democracy. Here, with a majority government it would be passed, rubber stamped by the useless senate and signed by the head of state.

Even former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau tried for a massive senate change back in 1978, but was not allowed to do it unilaterally. He wanted selection of members by Ottawa, by provincial legislatures and some other body.

This change envisioned the possibility of electing senators.

The Liberals have not had any leader with ideas of reform since then. The Conservatives have taken this lead, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney at Meech Lake, and now Prime Minister Stephen Harper. But we need a leader that stands for something.

We must move ahead with this idea and have government for all of the people, not a single party or person.

Walt Helling,

Innisfil