The Telegram’s editorial of Feb. 14 starts “Congratulations: as a Canadian taxpayer, you’re the proud purchaser of your very own Senator. Senators are popular and fun pets.”
No doubt that while the editorial amused some and resonated with others, it must have been disheartening for senators genuinely dedicated to the public service, and reinforces a perception that is unfortunate.
Good work being carried out
Too often all that is heard in the media about this august body is negative, without mention of the good works, for example in the committees and the “sober second-thought” considerations, especially when the discussion is more objective than partisan.
A senator recently said that there is a need to provide better information about Senate activities. Since the proceedings of Senate and Senate committees are readily available on the government website, this need is probably more related to image than information.
Senators have duty of care, openness and accountability to the taxpaying public they serve, without which perceptions may lead to convictions that the service is simply not worth the cost. Which would be a shame for such a venerable institution.
Denis Drown
St. John’s
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Wow. A 175-year old political instution's dysfunction is placed at the feet of a party that was in power for less than 20% of the country's entire history, a current government that has been in power for a mere decade, and whose stated position is to reform or abolish it. ........Come clean Danny: are you Reveen's more talented brother??