Harper: "We're not interested in opening up the Constitution" (on senate reform) - Polidicks

[url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/no-need-for-top-courts-advice-on-senate-reform-tories-say/article2050580/]Source - The Globe and Mail[/url] [release]The Conservative government has no intention of asking the Supreme Court if it has the power to unilaterally reform the Senate. Nor will it let potential provincial court challenges stand in the way of implementing changes to the appointed Red Chamber. Tim Uppal, Minister of State for Democratic Reform, says the government is confident it has the constitutional authority to proceed alone with two modest Senate reform bills, which are to be tabled – for the fourth time – this month. One would impose term limits on senators and the other would encourage provinces to establish mechanisms for electing Senate nominees. A number of provinces maintain the reforms require constitutional amendments that must be approved by at least seven provinces with 50 per cent of the population. And Quebec has threatened to take the matter to the country's top court if the federal government persists in proceeding on its own. But Mr. Uppal says there's no need for legal clarification. [b]“All of our government's Senate reform commitments, we believe, are within the constitutional authority of Parliament,” he said in an interview. “And as we've always said, we're not interested in opening up the Constitution. We strongly believe that Canadians don't want drawn-out constitutional fights.”[/b] As for Quebec's threatened court challenge, Mr. Uppal said that won't stop the government from passing and implementing the two bills. “That is not something that is going to slow this legislation down,” he said.[/release] While senate reform is absolutely necessary and I don't disagree with the changes they want to make, they are handling it very poorly. If there is ever any doubt that the government has the power to do something, that doubt needs to be cleared up before anything proceeds. They claim to want to make our government more democratic but are, in the process, ignoring democracy.

[quote] One would impose term limits on senators and the other would encourage provinces to establish mechanisms for electing Senate nominees. [/quote] That's good. [quote]And Quebec has threatened to take the matter to the country's top court if the federal government persists in proceeding on its own.[/quote] fuck you Quebec

I never said the changes weren't good, I said their method is strangely undemocratic for something that aims to improve democracy.

Not really happy to see it done this way but w/e. Also Zeke, has the government reformed the marijuana laws yet? or do they still have too? asking you this because you seem to care the most about our government.

Wait, I'm not quite following this. Zeke old chap, could you give us a quick rundown?

[QUOTE=Zeke129;30315624][url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/no-need-for-top-courts-advice-on-senate-reform-tories-say/article2050580/]Source - The Globe and Mail[/url] [release]The Conservative government has no intention of asking the Supreme Court if it has the power to unilaterally reform the Senate. Nor will it let potential provincial court challenges stand in the way of implementing changes to the appointed Red Chamber. Tim Uppal, Minister of State for Democratic Reform, says the government is confident it has the constitutional authority to proceed alone with two modest Senate reform bills, which are to be tabled – for the fourth time – this month. One would impose term limits on senators and the other would encourage provinces to establish mechanisms for electing Senate nominees. A number of provinces maintain the reforms require constitutional amendments that must be approved by at least seven provinces with 50 per cent of the population. And Quebec has threatened to take the matter to the country's top court if the federal government persists in proceeding on its own. But Mr. Uppal says there's no need for legal clarification. [b]“All of our government's Senate reform commitments, we believe, are within the constitutional authority of Parliament,” he said in an interview. “And as we've always said, we're not interested in opening up the Constitution. We strongly believe that Canadians don't want drawn-out constitutional fights.”[/b] As for Quebec's threatened court challenge, Mr. Uppal said that won't stop the government from passing and implementing the two bills. “That is not something that is going to slow this legislation down,” he said.[/release] While senate reform is absolutely necessary and I don't disagree with the changes they want to make, they are handling it very poorly. If there is ever any doubt that the government has the power to do something, that doubt needs to be cleared up before anything proceeds. They claim to want to make our government more democratic but are, in the process, ignoring democracy.[/QUOTE] Oh Tim Uppal. Never change

they just want to get in office. once there, they are pretty much free to do as they please.

[QUOTE] [b]“And as we've always said, we're not interested in opening up the Constitution. We strongly believe that Canadians don't want drawn-out constitutional fights.”[/b][/QUOTE] Mmm nope that's you who doesn't want that.

[QUOTE=TGiFallen;30319035]Not really happy to see it done this way but w/e. Also Zeke, has the government reformed the marijuana laws yet? or do they still have too? asking you this because you seem to care the most about our government.[/QUOTE] We have a conservative majority now. They're likely to begin implementing mandatory minimum sentences for even minor drug offenses when their omnibus crime bill is introduced in the fall. We are at least 5 years away from even the slightest bit of drug law reform, unless we get some kind of divine intervention or the cons decide to actually listen to the opposition. [editline]7th June 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Sir Whoopsalot;30319061]Wait, I'm not quite following this. Zeke old chap, could you give us a quick rundown?[/QUOTE] Our senate is appointed. Some parties want to abolish it entirely, the conservative's plan is to implement term limits at the very least, and methods for making it elected at most. (Not sure what their plan is exactly, but that's the basics) On paper their changes are fine, but they're going ahead with this without knowing for sure they have the constitutional right to do so. If they don't, the constitution will have to be changed which is long and messy, but the democratic thing to do. You can't just skirt the single most important document whenever you feel like. [editline]7th June 2011[/editline] To be honest I'm surprised the conservatives are doing this - they just appointed some conservative MPs that LOST to the senate (like douchebags), if they make it elected that shit will never happen again.

The Canadian Senate doesn't really seem to represent the people, given the only parties in the seats are Conservatives and Liberals. This is the seat distribution: [img]http://i.imgur.com/c8PbE.png[/img]

I was at first confused, because I hadn't heard of any politicians even mentioning the idea of reforming the senate (even though it needs to happen). From what I gather, though, the Canadian senate is just as bad.

There are nearly none conservatives from Quebec, that's why they are mad as they can't really say anything

[QUOTE=wanksta11;30328849]There are nearly none conservatives from Quebec, that's why they are mad as they can't really say anything[/QUOTE] An elected senate would give them more Quebec senators more likely. Quebec is mad because being mad at how the government is handling this is the right thing to do, even if you agree with the move.