There are currently nine vacant seats in the Senate, with six more senators due to retire by the end of 2026. Prime Minister Mark Carney has not appointed any senators since taking office last spring.

The federal government's website says there are also 24 vacancies on the independent advisory board for Senate appointments, the body that provides non-binding, merit-based recommendations to the prime minister.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] girlfreddy@lemmy.ca 17 points 4 days ago (2 children)

They are of value because they double-check government bills and act as a check on governmental powers.

If we didn't have the Senate we could/would be in a world of hurt.

[–] Jhex@lemmy.world 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

agreed… the problem is when it gets politicised (remember the circus with Harper and Duffy?)

[–] girlfreddy@lemmy.ca 6 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Yup. The Harper years were terrible. He is probably the worst PM Canada has ever had.

[–] trashcroissant@lemmy.ca 4 points 4 days ago

Ever had so far

[–] wraekscadu@vargar.org 0 points 4 days ago (1 children)

In theory, yes. In practice, they're just a waste of money and time. Effectively, it's just the PM who appoints them. Hence, what ends up happening is that it gets packed with liberal and conservative donors who act as nothing but rubber stamps for Parliament's bills.

Here's the NDP's stance on this for example.

[–] Contrary@lemmy.world -1 points 4 days ago

So, to paraphrase, you believe that there are insufficient checks and balances, and support eliminating the few that exist because they are insufficient and cost exactly 0% of the federal budget? Did I get that right?