TORONTO: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) responded today to the appointment of five new senators by calling for Senate reform. CTF Federal Director, Kevin Gaudet, said “Now, with control of the Senate, this is the time for the Prime Minister to stick a fork in the House of Pork. It is time to make senators elected and accountable.”
Today’s appointments give the Conservatives effective control of the Senate with a plurality; 51 Conservatives, 49 Liberals and 5 Independents.
“The Prime Minister should make Senate Reform and elected senators a major priority and never appoint another one. He quickly should introduce legislation for elected senators and make it a confidence matter in the House,” continued Gaudet.
The unaccountable and unelected Senate has generated debate since Confederation. One item of concern has been the lavish pay, perks, and pension provided to senators who have not been required to be accountable to anyone. Since its creation 20 years ago, the CTF consistently has campaigned for Senate and pension reform.
The CTF calculates the estimated pensions of the five appointees, should they serve until age 75, as:
Pierres-Hugues Boisvenu (QC) Born 1949 - $79,501
Bob Runciman (ON) Born 1942 - $31,669
Vim Kochhar (ON) – Born approx. 1937 - $0 as six years required for eligibility
Elizabeth Marshall (NL) Born approx. 1954 - $126,910
Rose-May Poirier (NB) Born 1954 - $126,910
Gaudet concluded, “The only way the Prime Minister can justify having broken his promise not to appoint senators is now to make them elected.”
