The Telegram

Empowering the Senate

On Monday, in an unprecedented collaboration among Atlantic Canadian newspapers, The Telegram began a detailed examination of the Canadian Senate.

For five days next week, along with The Telegraph-Journal of Saint John, The Daily Gleaner of Fredericton, The Times and Transcript of Moncton and The Guardian of Charlottetown, The Telegram will carry articles that we have developed together. On the sixth day, next Saturday, we will publish an unprecedented joint editorial.

Our daily newspapers believe the Senate can be reformed to more eloquently represent our provincial and regional interests. We believe the Prime Minister’s willingness to have each province, in effect, choose its own senators is an opportunity of historic importance. Among Atlantic governments, only New Brunswick has recognized the importance of this moment.

We hope our series will encourage others to think about how the Senate has failed our region for 145 years and why now is our best opportunity to create voices in the Senate with a clear mandate to confidently and effectively advocate in our favour.

New Brunswick flying solo

March 19, 2012 - 9 h 20

As the Senate reform trailblazer in Atlantic Canada, New Brunswick so far is pursuing a lonely path towards the goal of an elected Upper Chamber. When Premier...

Content type: Article
Section: Local
Taking a stand: Atlantic provinces have diverging views...

March 19, 2012 - 7 h 45

New Brunswick’s plan to elect senators hasn’t rippled beyond its borders, as sentiment in the rest of Atlantic Canada ranges from indifferent to opposed....

Content type: Article
Section: Local
Built for a purpose: So why isn't the Senate working...

March 20, 2012 - 10 h 16

“In order to protect local interests, and to prevent sectional jealousies, it was found requisite that the three great divisions into which British North America is...

Content type: Article
Section: Local
A Brief History of the Senate

March 20, 2012 - 10 h 28

1867: The Dominion of Canada is created; the Senate and House of Commons come into existence. 1874: Buyer’s remorse — MP David Mills says the Constitution...

Content type: Article
Section: Local
Reform it or scrap it? Elected Senate has supporters,...

March 20, 2012 - 10 h 33

A bill introduced to the House of Commons last year that would reform the Senate appears to have some support among people contacted by The Telegram for comment,...

Content type: Article
Section: Local
Reform the senate, but don’t make the provinces pay:...

March 20, 2012 - 10 h 38

Premier Kathy Dunderdale wants a reformed senate — but she doesn’t want half measures, and she won’t pay for it. Dunderdale refused to do an interview...

Content type: Article
Section: Local
To elect or not to elect

March 21, 2012 - 9 h 52

There were cheers on June 19, 1990, the day retired Armed Forces general Stan Waters marched onto Parliament Hill to become the first elected senator since...

Content type: Article
Section: Local
Senate reform an elusive target

March 21, 2012 - 9 h 58

“If the upper house agrees with the lower it is superfluous, if it disagrees, it ought to be abolished.” — Abbe E.J. Sieyes, 18th-century French...

Content type: Article
Section: Local
Senate Reform Act gets mixed reviews

March 22, 2012 - 10 h 07

Premier David Alward says he’s worried that New Brunswick’s voice will become weaker in a federal system where vote-rich Central and Western provinces are...

Content type: Article
Section: Local
Harper’s Senate reforms superficial, says P.E.I. premier

March 22, 2012 - 9 h 13

P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz says he would like to see equal representation for every province in the Senate if reform is truly on the table. But Ghiz said he believes...

Content type: Article
Section: Local