Last Monday in the B.C. Legislature, the NDP brought forward its motion to support the abolishment of the Senate. We wholeheartedly supported it (see here for why). The response from the backbench BC Liberal MLAs trotted out to run out the clock on the motion left many people shaking their heads. Some highlights (see the full debate Hansard here): 

Marvin Hunt: “This is a federal jurisdiction, and I know that the member probably doesn't want to hear this, because he's probably too concerned about what others call him, but this is a provincial legislature, and this is where we should be discussing provincial issues.”

Actually, Mr. Hunt, it is very clear that provinces have an integral role in determining the future of the Senate. That’s why Alberta has voted to elect their Senators, and Saskatchewan and Manitoba have voted to scrap the Senate altogether.

Hunt: “I believe that concept of sober second thought is a wonderful concept, because the composition of the Senate is better than the composition of the House, where you have more women represented; more minorities; more athletes, for that matter; as well as regular folks who are experts in their areas.”

…more shysters, more folks under fraud investigations…

Sam Sullivan: “For the first 60 years our B.C. Legislature churned out the most vicious and obscene racist legislation. There were three groups that opposed our racist assembly: the judiciary under Judge Begbie, the monarchy and the Canadian Senate — interestingly, all non-democratic bodies.”

So how long do we owe fat cat Senators an existence for what they did more than a century ago?

Jackie Tegart: “I can assure you that the constituents in Fraser-Nicola did not send me here to talk about an endless constitutional debate when their future prosperity ranks far above what the opposition is proposing here.”

Yet, as of today, this is the only thing Tegart has risen in the house to speak on. 

Tegart: “By my reading, no national consensus currently exists on how best to proceed with the Senate. This motion is simply intended to stir up a national debate without an examination of what would not only be in the best interests of British Columbians but the country as a whole.”

Then call for it to be referred to a bipartisan committee for more study.

Scott Hamilton: “I also was working fairly hard with members on the opposite side of the aisle, as well as members on this side, on the Finance Committee, spending a number of weeks on the road, travelling and listening to the issues British Columbians want us to address. Not once in those travels did I hear a single person say: ‘I need you to abolish the Senate for me.’”

What? A B.C. Finance Committee with a narrow focus on Budget 2014-15 didn’t hear about Senate concerns? The shock! I wonder how often the Legislature Management Advisory Committee hears about health care?

Hamilton: “No one on this side of the House has suggested for a minute that the Senate actually needs to be abolished. But again, I mentioned a little earlier that there are certain reforms, certain changes, that could be made. Fine.”

Such as, Member?

Hamilton: “If their federal counterparts, with whom they're so intimately associated, were ever to form government in Ottawa, there would at least exist a stone wall to protect this country from what's been proven to be bad public policy and legislation, especially in this province during the 1990s.”

Wow – talk about partisan. I’m no NDPer, but in a democracy, if the majority of Canadians elect a government, I’m not sure I want an unelected body overthrowing their wishes. Can you imagine Mr. Hamilton's outrage if the NDP ecouraged the Lt. Governor to refuse to sign BC Liberal votes into law? 

Linda Larson: “Our government has made it clear that any changes to the Senate should only be made after consulting with not only British Columbians but with all the provinces and people of Canada.”

Great. What’s the mechanism for this? Or is it just empty talk?

Simon Gibson: “One thing I'm discovering here as a new member is how valuable our time is.”

I’m sure the NDP would be more than happy to extend legislative sessions to offer you more time.

Democracy at work, taxpayers.