Former civil servant, Peter Harder really likes his new job in the Senate of Canada. As an independent(?) appointee to this body, he is also the government representative in the senate. Whether he is really an independent seems to be something of a wink-wink-elbow-jab condition open to interpretation.
And as many of his cohorts might concur, if the rest of those supposedly independent senators were really independent, running that place would be akin to the task of herding cats.
But luckily, as most of those habitués would attest, those independents seem to have a curious affection for the political party that appointed them as independents. Would you not have a warm and fuzzy feeling for the person who gave you a cushy job, paid at the same rate as a real member of parliament, guaranteed until you reach age 75 and a generous pension thereafter?
And I do not care how you spell ‘independent,’ Peter Harder was appointed by Justin Trudeau. And Harder knows where his boss’ office is located. It is hardly surprising that Harder thinks this new approach should be enshrined in legislation. He even has the nerve to say “I think Canadians would prefer a Senate that is less partisan, that seeks to improve legislation where appropriate, but doesn’t view itself as a challenging chamber to the political legitimacy of the House of Commons.” (From a Canadian Press interview.)
If Mr. Harder has the nerve to make such assumptions about Canadians, maybe he should be corrected on what he believes is the purpose of the Senate of Canada. It does have the right to challenge the Commons and that was its purpose when created by the founding colonies of Canada in concert with the powers that existed then at the parliament of Westminster.
The Senate exists today as an illegitimate and undemocratic embarrassment. Until it is either abolished or replaced with a properly elected body, Canada gets no value from it.
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Copyright 2019 © Peter Lowry
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