RUNCIMAN CALLS FOR ELECTED
SENATORS
TORONTO – Leeds-Grenville
M.P.P. Bob Runciman is set to table legislation
that would see Ontario become the second province
in Canada to elect senators-in-waiting by a
public vote.
Runciman will table the “Senatorial Selection
Act” when the Legislature resumes sitting
in March. The legislation is modeled on a Bill
passed by the Alberta Legislature in 1988.
“Given the priority both Prime Minister
Martin and Premier McGuinty have placed on the
need for democratic reform, this seems the ideal
time to put forward an initiative that could
ultimately give regions of this country stronger
representation in Ottawa, without the requirement
for constitutional amendments” said Runciman,
a 23-year veteran of the Legislature and House
Leader for the Official Opposition.
“Adoption of this initiative by the country’s
most populated province could open the floodgates
to real Senate reform and send out all the right
messages to parts of the country that now feel
alienated from the central government”
asserted the M.P.P.
“The current Senate, although it does,
on occasion, contribute to public policy, is
widely and accurately viewed as a repository
for unelected party hacks”, said Runciman.
“This initiative could provide a real
opportunity to jump-start a process to bring
some measure of democracy to a discredited institution.”
Runciman’s legislation would allow Ontarians
to choose a senator-in-waiting by a public vote
in conjunction with either a provincial or municipal
election, or on any other date chosen by the
provincial government.
The elected individual would still require
recognition and appointment by the Federal government,
something they have refused to do with successful
candidates in Alberta, but Runciman is optimistic
that Ontario’s support for the initiative
would overcome Federal reservations.
“Any government that ignored the wishes
of the Ontario electorate in such a flagrant
manner would pay a price in the subsequent Federal
election”, he contended.
Runciman expects his legislation will be debated
by the Legislature during its upcoming session.
Media Contact:
Bob Runciman
(416) 325-1522
