March 16, 2001
We could’ve done something big - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
VANCOUVER -- On Wednesday afternoon, I was in receipt of a press release from the Progressive Conservative party’s caucus in Ottawa. I read it with much interest and because of circumstance had to put it aside. Reading the Sun yesterday, I saw an article on the story as summarised in the press release, as well as a Barbara Yaffe column. These thoughts, in this space, now.
The subject of the press release was that BC Senator Patricia Carney had written to Premier Ujjal Dosanjh urging him to re-introduce legislation that would allow BC to elect its own senators. The original bill was passed in 1990, yet because of a statute of limitation (I think that’s the legalese term, someone like Brian Nguyen will correct me,) the bill’s reach lapsed in 1996.
Of course, the election would be held and there would be much public pressure for the result to be placed before the Prime Minister when he fills the vacancy caused by the retirement of Ray Perrault. Yet, almost probably, Prime Minister Chrétien would ignore such a result as he did with Alberta’s senators-in-waiting. What makes it newsworthy, if it isn’t already, is the added line from Senator Pat that she’d be willing to give up her own seat to run for the Senate elections. “I am prepared to bet my Senate seat that British Columbians are ready for the challenge,” she wrote in her letter of this past Tuesday.
I think it most noble of Senator Carney, as well as Canadian Alliance Senator Gerry St. Germain (also from BC) to want to step down and participate in these elections. And what perfect timing, as we’re due for a provincial general election. Alas, the man who can do it, Premier Dosanjh has said no. To add another insult, Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, Gordon Campbell has said no, too. It’s a pitiful shame, really. Here we are on the cusp of demonstrating that we want reform and here we have both Mr. Dosanjh and Mr. Campbell ignoring the desire of many British Columbians.
To be fair, the Premier has a shitload of stuff to wade through, namely making sure his government doesn’t fall before he wants it to in this session. Dosanjh may have a point when he says that the Senate is imbalanced, thus why bother to legitimise it. On the other hand, Mr. Campbell is merely looking after his political fortunes by saying, “I certainly wouldn’t want that kind of legislation to give Mr. Dosanjh another excuse for not allowing the people to decide the future.”
Chances like these shouldn’t be passed up. Here we have a clear way to spell out that separation is not our answer; so to make BC feel part of the Canadian family, let’s work to reforming the system for all Canadians -- both Mr. Campbell and Mr. Dosanjh choose to reject that. Perhaps BC is special in that way.
Then again would Prime Minister Chrétien accept the result? In the House on Wednesday, he rejected the proposal by saying the Reform party fought to reject the Charlottetown Accord. (The Accord, proposed Senate reform.) To knock the PM for a sec, Stockwell Day, who raised the question, was a Charlottetown supporter! Add to that, Senators St. Germain and Carney were too! Dear PM: Times and people change. You yourself should know that, with former seperatists Denis Codere and Stéphane Dion, now in your Cabinet!
I am informed that Gordon Gibson made a speech to do away with the Senate altogether recently. Unlike Mr. Gibson, I still have faith in the institutions that abode in us. Reform should, at the minimum, be tried. I’m afraid we’ll look back on this and say, we were wrong. We may say, we were wrong to allow both the leader of the NDP and BC Liberals reject such a proposal.
My position on the Senate should be that it shouldn’t be done away with. Nor, do I feel it be elected. I simply believe a symbolic gesture such as what Alberta did in 1998 and what Senator Carney is proposing, done here, would signal that BC is not only rabble-rousing for change, but that we in fact took that first step. BC could hereby register, officially, our disdain with the status quo.
Furthermore, I am most disappointed in seeing the reaction of our leaders -- Mr. Campbell and Mr. Dosanjh. The former looks for the swiftest way into the Premier’s chair, while the former fails to see some points to be scored for endorsing such a plan. To me, this is clear indication that no matter who wins the upcoming election, our leaders are too, content with the way things are. I cannot take Mr. Campbell at his word for wanting to reform the system. What he proposes -- open cabinet meetings, free votes and a legislature calendar -- are mere cosmetic and will serve BC no better than the way it is.
Questions and comments may be sent to: editor@thecommentary.ca
An archive of Joseph Planta's previous columns can be found by clicking HERE .