Embargoed until December 1, 2004

October 18, 2004

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

Dear Prime Minister Martin,

Recently The Canadian Committee for a Triple E Senate had telephone conversations with your Chief policy advisor Peter Nicholson, then with Brian Guest of your office and Jonathan Weisstub on October 5, 2004. We are writing this letter in response to a request by them.

The Triple E Committee has been advocating Senate Reform for twenty-one years. During this time public support for Senate reform has remained consistently strong. During the recent federal election 83% of respondents to a CTV nation wide poll indicated support for the election of Canadian Senators.

In mid January we sent your office a copy of a letter that was sent to all provincial and territorial leaders suggesting a number of methods that could be used to democratically choose Senators. This letter has been responded to positively by not only Alberta, but also by Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario. Others have responded positively – e.g. Quebec through the Council of the Federation. Both Premier Hamm and Premier Lord have publicly stated their desire to have Senators elected. In Ontario the opposition house leader, Bob Runciman, has introduced legislation to create a Senatorial Selection Act. Clearly momentum for Senate reform is building across the country, and we are convinced now is the time for the Government of Canada to show leadership in actually reducing the democratic deficit in this country, rather than simply talking about it.

Support for elected Senators crosses all party lines in all provinces and owes its success to the simple truth that it’s only common sense that people everywhere should democratically choose or remove those that purport to represent them, be it at a constituent level as in the House of Commons, or provincially as is the case for Senators. To continue to perpetuate Prime ministerial appointments to the Senate is the single greatest example of not only preferring patronage over democracy, but it is also the best way to perpetuate political cynicism, alienation among young people who are taught long before they reach voting age that Canadian politicians care more about patronage than they do even the most basic aspects of democracy – the election of Provincial representatives in the Senate of Canada.

The decades old argument that Canada cannot begin Senate reform without opening the constitution no longer holds any credibility. Any Prime Minister committed to removing the “democratic deficit in parliament” could simply declare they would only appoint Senators first elected by the province which they would represent. Leaving vacancies in provinces with larger representation and filling vacancies in provinces with less would inexorably move Senate representation closer to provincial equality.

It is worth remembering, Mr. Prime Minister, that unanimous agreement on Senate reform was achieved in the Charlottetown negotiations in the Pearson Building in 1992. At that time the Triple E Committee was an advisor to five provincial delegations. It was sad to see then Prime Minister Brian Mulroney slowly carve away the powers of the Senate, leaving only a deceptive but empty shell the country rightly rejected. When Mulroney turned away from the interests of those wanting a voice for all provinces in the Upper House his arrogant greed for absolute control of both houses caused his downfall and near obliteration of his party.

Prime Minister, the citizens want their Senators to be elected. Parties and political leaders have come and gone over the last 40 years, but the desire for elected Senators continues unabated. The desire for electing Senators is driven by the common sense realization that a country as huge, diverse, and complex as Canada cannot be successfully governed by concentrating power where it is insulated from the wisdom of M.P.’s and Senators silenced by their own loyalties or ambitions. From Trudeau to today, all such governments have self-destructed by isolating themselves to the advice of only those afraid to be critical or provide better solutions.

The Triple E Committee proposes a first step slow motion plan for Senate reform that would see only 36 elected Senators take their seats during the next five years. Such change would in no way change the majority of votes in the Senate. It would demonstrate a fundamental symbolic reduction of the “democratic deficit” of which you have spoken so often. It would also set the stage for meaningful constitutional change in the future. A majority change in the Upper House wouldn’t take place until the eighth year of elections. It’s difficult to imagine any downside for a Prime Minister who instigates, yet controls, the pace of demonstrable proof that parliament’s democratic deficit is being erased.

The Canadian political landscape is undergoing a major sea change. You have a minority Government. The Council of the Federation has had its inaugural meeting, and the Premiers are just beginning to work together in a constructive fashion. Alberta is holding another Senate election in November 2004 in conjunction with its provincial election. Atlantic Provinces and Ontario political leaders are making preparations for Senate elections. Those seeking to replace Premier Klein when he steps down some time in the next several years are even more adamant that fundamental change in our federation must take place. The very recent unilateral health care agreement agreed to for Quebec includes the words, “and any other province”, and there is a good chance other provinces will follow.

As Prime Minister you have the opportunity to not only be part of, but to lead in reforming Canada’s political system in meaningful and practical ways. Your decision to appoint people to the Senate only after they have been elected would be a gesture of historic importance in the democratic life of Canada.

When Alberta led the way to debt and deficit in 1994, you hired David Elton of Canada West Foundation to hold a national summit on debt and deficit. That is where I first met you. I hope we can meet again to discuss this letter soon after November 29/04.

Sincerely,

Bert Brown Chairman,
Canadian Committee For A Triple E Senate

Phone: 403-935-4992
Cell: 403-860-1938
Fax: 403-935-4470