Senate abolition

Why the red chamber won’t die of simple neglect

There is an old-fashioned sounding term, “cabinet solidarity,” that I’ve been thinking about this week, after Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said he was for abolishing the Senate and Denis Lebel, minister of infrastructure, communities and intergovernmental affairs, said he thinks if 50 per cent plus one voted to separate in a referendum, that would be enough for Quebec to exit Canada.

If Harper wants to kill the Senate, he should first look back at the career of his one-time idol, Pierre Trudeau

Paul Wells on C-7 and the political and legal storms bearing down on Ottawa

The provincial premiers’ meeting at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., under the Council of the Federation banner, just wrapped up. I’ve posted on two big-ticket issues featuring federal-provincial friction—job training and infrastructure funding. But much more was discussed. Here’s selective notebook on topics associated with some premiers:

Maclean’s editorial: ‘These are grim times for our political leaders’

Time for the Senate to fight back — Scott Feschuk has some ideas

In the face of patronage, scandal and futility, getting rid of the Senate is a better option than doing nothing at all

John Geddes on why the ‘patronage chamber’ is an affront to democracy