Senate, election reform to be hot topics as Parliament resumes after Easter break
Senate, election reform to be hot topics as Parliament resumes after Easter break
Members of Parliament are back to work in Ottawa today after a two-week break, and it’s going to be a fast-paced return with Senate and electoral reform both on the hot topics list.
The Senate will be front and centre again as MPs discuss Friday’s pronouncements by the Supreme Court of Canada.
The high court told the Harper government that any significant reforms to the Senate would require the consent of a majority of provinces, and abolishing it would require unanimous approval.
As that unfolds, a lawyer for suspended senator Patrick Brazeau will be in court.
Christian Deslauriers is to appears on behalf of Brazeau, who is facing fraud and breach of trust charges in connection with the Senate expenses scandal.
Expect much debate as well over the Conservative government’s proposed Fair Elections Act, Bill C-23.
Quebec’s Chief Electoral Officer Jacques Drouin will get the ball rolling as he appears at the Commons house affairs committee studying the bill.
The debate will continue in question period in the House of Commons after Pierre Poilievre, the minister for democratic reform, announced amendments Friday to many contentious aspects of the bill.