EDMONTON & OTTAWA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today responded to the prime minister's nine appointments to the Senate.

"Paul Martin said today in the House of Commons that he does not want to proceed with piecemeal Senate reform," noted CTF federal director John Williamson. "By stating this precondition, the prime minister has rung the death knell on making the Upper Chamber democratic and accountable to Canadians. Without federal leadership, Canada's system of appointing people with the right political connections to the Senate will not change."

This past November, Albertans voted in a Senate election held on the same day as the provincial election. The prime minister has rejected the choice of Alberta voters, appointing three individuals who did not run in the Senate election.

"The Senate should be elected or abolished," stated CTF-Alberta director John Carpay. "These appointments are a slap in the face to Albertans, who made their choice of senators known in an election only four months ago."

"It's embarrassing to be a Canadian abroad, having to explain that one of the two houses of Canada's Parliament is stacked with patronage appointments as a reward to individuals for helping the government party," concluded Carpay.