Mader Blog

Comments: Half Right on Senate Reform

I agree with the Ontario government and you that Senate seats are not apportioned correctly, however I don't think Ontario deserves even half a cheer because the purpose behind this whole attack is not to improve Confederation but to give Ontario more power.

You see, Ontario wants either a Senate based on population, which, as you point out, only intensifies Ontario's advantage, or they want the Senate abolished, which would have almost the same effect, as it would leave only one house which seats are aleady apportioned by population. The very moderate balance that the Western, and to a greater extent Atalantic, provinces have against Ontario in the current Senate would dissapear.

Ontario is saying give us more outright power in the Senate, or abolish it, hoping no one will notice that this would increase its power relative to the other provinces.

Posted by Matt F. at September 20, 2006 03:50 PM

Yea, but you can't really blame Ontario for wanting to maximize its power within confederation - that's a rational way to act, for a province. Similarly, you couldn't have faulted Virginia for wanting to do the same in 1787. But to Virginia's credit, she - or her delegates - accepted compromise. That's the test for Ontario, I think - having opened the discussion, or at least agreed to engage in it, are they willing to compromise in the end?

Posted by David Mader at September 20, 2006 04:24 PM

Outrageous! The U.S. Senate has always been the least appealing aspect of the American republic to me, constantly encroaching on what should be the executive's areas of responsibility. There was legitimate concern in 1787 that the larger states would roll over the smaller ones. I think it's fairly clear that this is not the case in Canada, and if anything the inverse is true. Why you would recommend giving the smaller provinces even more leverage Mader confounds me.

I'd like to see the Senate handed over to the Canadian Council of Chief Executives. The CCCE's members already play an important role in Canadian governance (cf the last summit in Cancun, where CEOs from all three countries were invited and put together the platform for further North American integration that the three leaders agreed upon), and I'd like see that role solidified.

Posted by CharlesB at September 21, 2006 01:48 AM

I think its one thing to push for the best deal possible on entering Confederation (or the Union) as you note Virginia did, and as P.E.I (guranteed seats) and B.C (railway) and just about every other province did. Its another thing to be one of the biggest and richest provinces in the country and to propose a change that would in no way benefit the Canadian constitution or government.

Posted by Matt F. at September 21, 2006 08:02 AM

This is an issue where I generally agree with Harper. I don't think geographic representation, to augment representation by population, is a bad thing. Being from Ontario I don't feel a burning need for it but I can understand why the other provinces would want it. Although, being from Ontario, maybe I'll regret saying that in a few years...

Posted by Neil Thier at September 21, 2006 06:30 PM

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