Blink again and look at the date of the article. You haven't been caught in a Canadian episode of Star Trek and no one has violated the Temporal Prime Directive.
Rather, what we here is an old article on senate reform starring the current prime minister's mentor/albatross. There are some curious aspects to the story in hindsight.
For example, the changes Mulroney had in mind were eventually floated out in the Meech Lake Accord and died with that deal in June 1990. Executive federalism simply isn't the way to go with reforming an institution as fundamental as the federal parliament. These sorts of things have to include Canadians across the country.
Then there is the reference to Pierre-Marc Johnson, then the Quebec intergovernmental affairs minister and these days Stephen harper's go-to guy on environmental issues.
Last but by no means least there is the comment from British Columbia premier Bill Bennett. He's right. Abolition of the senate is 'the sort of thing I expect a teenager to say but not someone who is interested in government".
Local audiences get a special bonus feature. Consider that the focus of this story is a former first minister giving advice to his successor. Brian Mulroney initially blew off Pierre Trudeau's comments; yes, 25-odd years later Mulroney would pen a book blaming everything on Trudeau, but at the time Mulroney wasn't a bitter, frustrated ex-politician. In a situation no way similar at all - Peckford wasn't specifically slagging the current provincial Tories - Danny Williams launched a media attack on the former premier for having the audacity to share his opinion with people in the province.
The Gazette, Thursday, March 7, 1985
Former prime minister Pierre Trudeau said yesterday that Brian Mulroney doesn't stand a chance of carrying out his plans to revamp the Senate and "I'm not sure he wants to, either."
And Liberal leader John Turner accused Prime Minister Mulroney of "bluffing" when he offered on Tuesday to abolish the Senate if the Liberals would support the plan.
Mulroney himself, meanwhile, appeared to back off from his offer to reform the Senate.
And he discounted reports that at least three provinces oppose a constitutional amendment that would not abolish the Liberal-dominated Senate but limit the time it can debate legislation passed by the Tory- dominated Commons.
The threats to abolish or curb the Senate were triggered when the Senate blocked a $19.3-billion government borrowing bill for a month, until last week.
Trudeau said of Senate reform yesterday: "I had tried to do it and the premiers prevented me."
"I'm sure he (Mulroney) won't (succeed). I'm not sure he wants to, either."
Trudeau made several unsuccessful attempts to reform the Senate while he was prime minister.
In 1980 he included Senate reform in his package to patriate the Constitution, but the courts ruled he had to have the consent of all 10 provinces and the idea fell by the wayside. Since then, the Constitution has been altered to allow amendments with the approval of seven provinces containing 50 per cent of Canada's population.
Trudeau would not elaborate to reporters yesterday.
He was attending a Montreal reception honoring Quebec painter Jean Paul Lemieux and insisted he was not there to hold a news conference. He did say, however, that with the end of his "sabbatical year" this summer, he may make public statements on policy issues.
He stepped down as PM last July after the Liberals chose Turner to succeed him and now works for a Montreal law firm.
In Ottawa, Turner said that Mulroney was merely playing politics and was not serious about abolishing the non-elected upper house of Parliament when he made his proposal during Tuesday's question period in the Commons.
"I think he was bluffing," Turner told reporters.
Since the Senate can't veto its own abolition, Turner said, Mulroney could use his 211-seat majority in the 287-seat Commons to push a resolution through, provided he had the support of the provinces.
"He doesn't need my support. If he wants to abolish the Senate let him bring in the bill," Turner said.
Mulroney insisted early yesterday he was serious about abolition. But later he said the proposal was made "under the express condition that Mr. Turner get up immediately (in the Commons) to give his approval."
Asked whether his offer had been withdrawn, Mulroney replied: "Well, if he gets back to me today (yesterday), we'll take a look at it."
Whatever Mulroney's stand on abolishing the Senate, his inner cabinet has approved a constitutional amendment to curb the Senate's power to block legislation passed by the Commons and the full cabinet will consider the plan today.
Mulroney has said legislation will follow quickly once the provinces have been consulted. As it now stands, Mulroney can't get a constitutional amendment to limit the time the Senate can debate bills because he lacks the support of seven provinces with 50 per cent of the population.
But when reporters noted that Manitoba, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island have objections to tinkering with the Senate's powers, Mulroney retorted: "Don't be so sure of that. We'll see what the provinces say, but I'm encouraged by the results."
Only Alberta, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland have said they support a time-limit amendment.
Quebec Intergovermental Affairs Minister Pierre Marc Johnson said yesterday Quebec could not go along with the plan until it signs the 1982 Constitution.
New Brunswick Premier Richard Hatfield has said he wants to see the proposed amendment before commenting.
Manitoba's New Democratic Party government wants the Senate abolished or at least substantially reformed.
Ontario Premier Frank Miller said yesterday he would consider a constitutional amendment to limit the time the Senate can debate money bills, but he opposes abolition and is in no hurry to decide what lesser changes could be made.
British Columbia Premier Bill Bennett called abolition of the Senate "the sort of thing I expect a teenager to say but not someone who is interested in government."
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