Controversy Surrounding our Senate
The Senate is composed of 30 people appointed by the Governor-General through the
recommendations of the Prime Minister. They are given these positions as “rewards”
for community services.
Some Canadian citizens and government officials think that the Senate is a waste of
money and that we should get rid of it. Specifically, there are 3 issues surrounding the
Senate controversy:
1.
Lack of Specific Qualifications – some people feel that certain members of
the Senate do not have the qualifications to do their jobs. Most senators are exministers or important lawyers, etc., but they do not have to meet any specific
requirements for the job because there aren’t any official requirements.
2.
Patronage – some people feel that the Senate is undemocratic. Its members
are appointed, not elected; also, the Prime Minister tends to fill Senate seats
with supporters of his/her own party (who may not be those best qualified).
This practice is called patronage – the act of rewarding a party member for
loyalty or support. In everyday language the people receiving these types of
appointments are referred to as party “hacks”.
3.
Representation by Population – finally, some people feel that the Senate
doesn’t represent the interests of the country as a whole. Many senators are
based in central Canada (currently 48 of the 104 (46%) represent Quebec and
Ontario).
Your job – REFORM THE SENATE! You cannot get rid of the Senate wholesale, so
your challenge is to make reforms that would satisfy the disgruntled citizens and
politicians of the current Senate. Your reform must be written out clearly, either in
paragraph or point form and address all three of the controversial issues you see above.
Good luck!
Perks!
Where does $50 million a year go?
Here's what Canada's Senators get:
THE SALARY - A basic $70,000.00 per year and an extra $150.00 for every day they
show up in the senate. This is an incentive for them to actually be there.
THE JOB: - The Senate meets on average for 100 days a year. Senators are allowed to
miss 21 days without losing any salary.
THE EXTRAS - * Research Grants - $30,000.00 per year. * Office Budget $20,000.00
per year. * Tax Free Expense Allowance $10,100.00 * Free Business Class flights for
Senators and their families, as many as 52 return-trip flights a year. * Free telephone
calls and faxes, and also free postage, at home as well as office. * Free Gym privileges,
private equipment and instructors. * Subsidized haircuts, dry cleaning, furniture,
limousine rides.
Reforms: