OTTAWA: Canada’s federal government went to the nation’s highest court yesterday seeking legal backing for its proposals to reform or abolish its Senate mired in controversy.
“The Senate must change or vanish. The status quo is no longer acceptable,” Minister of State for Democratic Reform Pierre Poilievre said outside Parliament as the Supreme Court hearing got underway two city blocks away.
Several provinces oppose reform of the Senate, fearing dilution of their share of Senate seats.
Ottawa has also asked the Supreme Court for its opinion on whether the federal government can abolish the Senate under a constitutional amending formula requiring the support of seven of 10 provinces.
AFP
