April 2, 2004

The Right Honourable Paul Martin
Prime Minister of Canada
Langevin Block
80 Wellington Street
OTTAWA, Ontario
K1A 0A2

Dear Prime Minister Martin,

In January the Canadian Committee for a Triple E Senate copied you a letter sent to all Premiers. That letter outlined alternative democratic methods for choosing future members of the Senate.

The response from our January 7, 2004 letter is encouraging. Six Premiers now suggest support for a new method of choosing their representatives in the upper house. Premier Klein has always been in favor of democratic choice and Premier Hamm has gone public with support. Four supportive Premiers, as of this date have not gone public. We respect their confidence. In his response to our letter, Premier Charest states the Premiers’ Council of the Federation Special Committee will develop a new method of selecting individuals for the Senate and Supreme Court of Canada. Others have stated that they are turning the subject over to their Attorneys General / Intergovernmental Affairs Department for study. There have been no negative responses to date.

Noting your promise to reverse “the democratic deficit” in Parliament, the Committee feels very positive about the opportunity you have given the provinces to choose Senators. This would give a voice to provincial interests that have gone unheard for 137 years while ending charges of unjustifiable patronage plaguing the Upper House.

The Triple E Senate has become symbolic for the western provinces reaching an 86% average support across all party lines in all four provinces. (Canada West Foundation Study) Nationally, 67% of average Canadians support an elected Senate. The March 17/04 headline in the National Post read, “Ontario Joins Senate Push; Poll” 72% of Ontarians want an elected Senate with equal representation for each province. It is worth pointing out that a constitutional amendment is not required to democratically choose future provincial representatives in the second chamber.

Instituting democratic choice to fill vacancies for retiring Senators means a majority of provincially chosen Senators would become possible only during a second mandate. A plus for progressive, yet prolonged change, provides opportunity to measure the extent of positive impacts on federal provincial relations prior to amending the constitution for a democratic Senate with representation that is closer to or equal for all provinces.

You, Mr. Prime Minister, can initiate change by announcing that you will appoint only Senators that are recommended by their provincial governments. It would let Canadians know that you are committed to democratic representation and would ensure that full Senate reform will take place sometime within the next decade.

The Committee sincerely believes a move to reform the Senate over time would be a win win with the leaders and with the people of Canada. It would also let western Canadians believe their Prime Minister is including that significant part of the country in the governance of Canada.

Mr. Prime Minister, until voting day you have an opportunity to profoundly address the “democratic deficit” with actions, not promises, through appointing existing elected Senators-in-waiting to the Upper House. A democratic Senate is not something voters will vote against; however, when given the opportunity, it is an issue hundreds of thousands of Canadians will vote for!

Sincerely,

Bert Brown, National Chairman
Canadian Committee
For a Triple E Senate