March 6, 2001
For Immediate Release
89% OF SASKATCHEWAN RESIDENTS WANT ELECTED SENATORS
"Saskatchewan has a golden opportunity to push for improved democracy in Ottawa"
Regina Saskatchewan - Canadian Alliance Members of Parliament, today released the results of a province wide survey clearly showing support for an elected Senator. The poll conducted by Western Opinion Research INC., revealed that 89% of Saskatchewan residents want their next Senator elected and not appointed by the Prime Minister.
These results send a clear message. The people of Saskatchewan, of all political stripes, want the Saskatchewan government to enact legislation allowing for a Senator to be selected by the people of the province. This should also tell the Prime Minister patronage appointments are no longer acceptable, people want a say on who is representing them in Ottawa.
The fact we do not have an elected Senate is one of the reasons Western Separation continues to be an issue. "The West wants to be heard in Ottawa. Having an elected Senate with equal representation from all of the provinces would go a long way to having the views of the West and other regions properly represented in Parliament. The Prime Minister will only fuel the flames of Western Separation if he continues to ignore the need for a reformed Senate," the Alliance MPs emphasized. "The problem is not Canada it's Ottawa."
An equal and elected Senate would also take away some of the dictatorial control of the Prime Minister. By having the ability to appoint his Liberal hacks to Senate positions the Prime Minister basically has the ability to control both houses. An elected Senate would break the stranglehold the Prime Ministers office has on Ottawa. It would allow the Senate to do its job of being a place of 'sober second thought' and would not allow regions of high population to run roughshod over those of low population.
Canadian Alliance MPs are hoping this survey will help both levels of government to realize how important having an elected Senator is to the people of Saskatchewan. They concluded by saying "If we don't change the system we won't change much else."
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