CANADA’S GOVERNMENT MOVES FORWARD WITH SENATE REFORM

May 28, 2009

 
(OTTAWA) – Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Democratic Reform), today reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to Senate reform and announced the introduction of legislation in the Senate this afternoon to establish term limits for new senators.
 
“Our Government is committed to moving ahead with reform of the Upper House to increase the democratic legitimacy of the Senate,” said Minister of State Fletcher.  “This bill is a step forward and creates a solid basis for further reform.”
 
The Senate Term Limits bill will cap the tenure of new senators at one term of eight years.  The bill also provides that the eight-year term limit will apply to all senators appointed after the October 2008 general election, including the 18 recently appointed senators.  The eight year terms will begin once the bill receives Royal Assent.  If term limits are passed by the Senate, the Government is prepared to introduce measures to ensure term-limited Senators are provided the same severance as Members of the House of Commons.
 
Currently senators can potentially serve terms as long as 45 years, if they are appointed at the minimum age of 30 years and serve until the 75-year retirement age.
 
“The fact that senators can hold their seats for as long as 45 years is contrary to the democratic ideals of Canadians,” stated Minister of State Fletcher.  “Setting term limits for Senators is one important step in making the Senate worthy of a 21st century democracy.”
 
The Government has committed to reforming the Senate to reflect the ideals of a 21st century democracy by limiting Senate terms to eight years, giving Canadians a say over who represents them in the Upper House and harmonizing the Senate ethics regime with the House of Commons.
 
Earlier this month, the Government introduced legislation to bring the Senate under the auspices of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner. The Senate Term Limits bill is the next step in meeting those commitments and the Government will be introducing further Senate reform legislation in the near future.
 
For more information, visit www.democraticreform.gc.ca