A Canadian senator says a scenario posed by question seven of Alberta’s referendum which could see the Senate abolished is “next to impossible.”
Question seven asks Albertans: Do you support the Government of Alberta working with governments of other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to abolish the unelected federal Senate?
“To abolish the Senate is very, very difficult, and on purpose,” said Senator Paula Simons.
The Supreme Court of Canada has said that it would require unanimous consent of all 10 provinces, the House of Commons, and the Senate itself, to abolish it.
“That’s a very high bar, and it’s higher than other kinds of constitutional amendments because the Senate is foundational to our system of government,” said Simons. “It would be next to impossible for Alberta to convince all 10 provinces to abolish the Senate.”
The Senate is formed by unelected officials, appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the prime minister. Senators are responsible for passing bills, reviewing legislation, investigating issues, and representing regions and the interests of minority groups.
“The whole point of having an unelected Senate is that we can take the long view. Senators are not to be swept up in the waves of populism,” said Simons. “We’re supposed to think about not getting reelected, but what would be good for the country five years, 10 years, 20 years from now.”
She adds that senators also represent a more diverse group of people that come from backgrounds outside of politics.
“It’s based on their expertise and their work as community leaders,” said Simons. “It’s much more ethnoculturally diverse … We have a Senate that is much more representative of the Canada we know today.”
The senator of eight years is also puzzled by the wording of question seven.
“Is it asking you to abolish an appointed Senate and to have an elected one? Is it asking you to abolish the Senate completely? It is not clear from the way the question is worded,” said Simons. “I think the real purpose of the question is to make mischief, to undermine your confidence in the way your democracy works.”
Albertans will take to the polls on Oct. 19. More than 600,000 special ballots have been requested. The deadline for Elections Alberta to receive special ballots by mail is Oct. 16 at 5 p.m. Advanced polling is open from Oct. 13 to 17.
