February 1, 2005

Stephen Harper M.P.
Leader of the Official Opposition
House of Commons
409S Centre Block
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

Dear Stephen,

In September we had a brief conversation about Senate elections. I think it is important that we continue this discussion before the Convention in March

Recent conversations with a number of your M.P.’s lead me to believe that caucus thinks Senate elections should be conducted by the federal government.

The Triple E Committee has waged a twenty one year debate for a voice for provinces in the upper chamber and consequently in the federal government debates. You know the three principles we promote as do the vast majority of Canadians. They are:

1. Election of Senators by the people of the province they would serve.
2. Equal numbers of Senators for every province irrespective of population.
3. Effective Senate powers that the current Senate has.

These principles are in the Alberta Senatorial selection Act and the Committee redrafted same at Ontario’s request some months ago.

The elections that the Committee promotes with provinces are for six year terms on fixed election dates. Candidates run for provincial parties or as independents. Provincial elections are to prevent the federal government from diminishing the provincial voice in future parliaments or making it a mirror image of the House of Commons.

Any other position by the Conservative Party of Canada will put it offside with supporters of Senate reform in every province. I look forward to in-depth discussions with you on this issue

Sincerely,

Bert Brown, Chairman
Phone: 403-860-1938
E mail: abston@aol.com