Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre made a reasonable observation this week that Prime Minister Mark Carney should appoint more Conservatives to the Senate. The Senate is not currently a reflection of the Canadian people, Poilievre pointed out at a news conference on Thursday.
Forty-one per cent of Canadians, a record number for 40 years, voted Conservative in the last election, he said, adding that number should be reflected in the make-up of the Senate. His suggestion was greeted with hoots of derision by those on the left who believe Liberals have a divine right to govern, not just by acquiring a majority in the House of Commons through floor-crossing, but by stacking the Senate. How dare he demand democracy in a democratic institution?
Current Senate Composition
There are 105 senators. Right now, there are seven vacancies. Conservatives have only 12 seats and senators must retire at 75. With several forced retirements pending, the Conservative number will dwindle to nine, bringing them to the cusp of what is essentially Senate official party status.
Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau muddied the partisan waters when he initiated a so-called Senate Independent group. Having been hand-picked by a Liberal prime minister, you can call them anything you want; they still owe their loyalty to the Liberal party.
Alberta's Elected Senators Ignored
In 2024, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith slammed the appointment of two senators in her province. Alberta had elected senators-in-waiting and Trudeau ran roughshod over those elections, instead sending his own appointees to the Senate. Despite our province's repeated democratic election of senators-in-waiting ready to represent Albertans' interests, he has chosen to appoint left-wing partisans who will do whatever he and the Liberals order them to, she said on X.
Democratic Representation Needed
If the Senate is to remain relevant, it must reflect the will of voters. If less than 9% of senators are Conservative, that is hardly a democratic representation for an official Opposition party that received 41% of the vote. The Senate's fatal flaw is that it is an undemocratic institution operating within a democratic system.
The vast majority of Canadians could not name a member of the Red Chamber, let alone tell you what he or she does. If Carney stacks the Senate with more Liberal cronies in need of a pension plan, it will simply underscore what an undemocratic waste of taxpayer money it has become.
