Harper promises yaktion on senate elections

Proponents of senate reform will have to wait until at least the fall before any action from the Harper administration despite pledges in the Connie election platform that senators will be elected in future.

Initial reports from Alberta Premier Ralph Klein indicated there would be senate elections this fall.

The prime minister's press secretary subsequently clarified the remarks saying that the prime minister would have discussions about senate elections this fall.

"The premier didn't mean to say that there would be national elections for senators this fall," said Marisa Etmanski. "He clarified (to me) that there would be discussions this fall on Senate elections."

These discussions would be about when the elections will take place and what would be involved in the process, said Etmanski.

There is a senate vacancy in Newfoundland and Labrador that would be eligible for election under a new process.

It remains unclear whether the prime minister proposes to hold elections organized by Elections Canada, whether elections would be organized by provincial premiers or if the process for selecting senate nominees would be turned over to provincial premiers to determine.

According to Canadian Press,

There is no constitutional change required to appoint senators chosen by voters.

This isn't quite true. The senate provides for senators to be appointed by the Governor in Council according to certain set of basic criteria. Without a constitutional amendment, an senator chosen by election would still have to be approved by the Governor in Council and meet the property-holding and other requirements established in the Constitution.